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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Daisy Jackson -
12th October 2023 
