The arrival of Sexy Fish in Manchester must be the most talked-about and eagerly-anticipated launches of the entire year.
This ultra-glamorous restaurant has become a staple with the rich and famous down in London since it opened seven years ago.
And now the high-end Asian restaurant has expanded its reach to Manchester, transforming the former Armani shop at Spinningfields into a glitzy, spacious dining space.
Huge, glittering sea creatures – crafted by none other than Damien Hirst himself – creep out from the walls.
There’s an enormous octopus above one side of the dining room while a gang of swordfish burst out on the other end.
As you enter the cavernous room you’re welcomed by a life-size blue mermaid, with her smaller sister smiling out from the bar.
A fish tank filled with real fish covers the entire wall of the private dining room.
Upstairs in the toilets, you’re welcomed by a glowing pink floor and a mermaid mosaic, plus star fish taps and shell sconces.
A Damien Hirst octopus installationThe Sexy Fish Manchester toiletsSexy Fish Manchester has taken over the Armani siteThe fish tank in the private dining room
Even the plates are shaped like fish, from a shell-like bowl propping up lobster tempura to a fish jug spewing a cloud of dry ice.
Basically, there are a lot of sexy fish in here.
Sexy Fish’s light-up pink bar is backdropped by a waterfall and waiters whizz around in sea life-patterned waistcoats and blazers.
It’s a fittingly opulent setting for this high-end new opening in Manchester.
Lobster tempura at Sexy Fish ManchesterDuck and watermelon salad and yellowtail sashimiCaramelised black codPremium sashimi at Sexy Fish Manchester
On its Omakase set menu offering, the premium menu comes in at a cool £162 per person.
For that, you get dishes including oysters with smoked chilli, crispy duck and watermelon salad, bone marrow and king crab, premium sashimi, and caramelised black cod.
Sexy Fish Manchester opens to the public today, Thursday 12 October.
First look at Zaap Thai as popular Thai street food restaurant opens in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A Thai street food restaurant with sites all over the North has finally announced plans to come to Manchester for the first time.
Zaap Thai is famed for its authentic and affordable street food-inspired menu, served up in restaurants designed to mimic the bustling street food markets of Bangkok.
Expect colourful fairy lights, illuminated signs, graffiti art, enamel crockery and even seating booths built into tuk tuks.
Zaap Thai already has locations in cities including Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham and Durham, but hasn’t made it into the North West before now.
It’s now set to open on Lincoln Square – where you’ll already find Maray – this June.
This new Zaap Thai location is set to be one its biggest venues to date, with 160 covers.
The expansive menu features 80 dishes from across Thailand, from street food small plates to big bowls of noodles and fiery curries.
Their menu highlights include chicken satay, crispy pork belly, stir-fries like Pad Ga Prao, and sweet dishes such as mango sticky rice and pandan custard pancakes.
That’s alongside Thai-inspired cocktails and mocktails, plus Thai lagers like Singha.
Ban Kaewkraikhot, founder and executive chef at Zaap said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Zaap Thai to Manchester.
Inside Zaap Thai Manchester
The Moo Deng muralInside the new Zaap ThaiInside the new Zaap Thai
“This is a city with a rich and diverse hospitality scene, and we’re delighted to be joining that fantastic community.
“Our mission is to share our authentic flavours of native Thailand with the city – we want to transport guests to sunny South East Asia by providing an amazing and affordable menu where you can try something new each time.
“Our restaurant is inspired by the places we love back home and everyone is welcome. We can’t wait to bring the Zaap experience to Manchester!”
Zaap Thai Manchester will open on Lincoln Square in on Thursday 26 June, with free pad thais or curries to the first 100 people in the queue from midday.
Daisy Jackson -
12th October 2023 
