Eats

Manchester’s New Zealand brunch spot Tahi shuts down after less than a year

It was short but sweet :(

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd August 2023

One of Manchester’s newest brunch hot spots has announced its closure after less than a year in the city.

Tahi opened at the new Circle Square development just last summer, promising top-quality coffee and baked goods alongside an all-day menu of brunches lifted from the world-famous cafe culture of New Zealand.

The beautiful space in the brand new neighbourhood featured dishes including sweetcorn fritters, beef mince on house-baked muffins (a NZ classic), and braised beef cheek with bubble and squeak.

But despite a promising start, Tahi today announced its closure, citing all the reasons that have been hammering the hospitality industry across the UK.

The restaurant posted on Instagram that it had been ‘a difficult time for hospitality, in particular the independents’.

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They urged their followers to go out and support local business and thanked their ‘lovely staff’.

Tahi’s full statement said: “It is with great sadness that we are announcing the permanent closure of our Circle Square Eatery.

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Tahi in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Tahi in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Tahi in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Tahi in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Tahi in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc GroupTahi in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group
Tahi in Manchester has announced its closure. Credit: The Manc Group

“Our heartfelt thanks go out to the lovely staff which have supported us in bringing our vision to life throughout this last year and to our loyal customers who tried their best to support us.

“Many factors have led to this decision but ultimately this is a difficult time for hospitality, in particular the independents, and for us the consistency to build a stable business wasn’t there.

“We really urge you to get out and support your favourite local businesses and try out the new ones trying to bring you something special as it’s so important to us.

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“Cheers and farewell Manchester from everyone at Tahi.”

Dozens of devastated messages have been pouring in from fans.

One person wrote: “This is heartbreaking! You are a real asset to the city with unrivalled pastries, fantastic service and top notch food and wine. I’m so sad to read this. Will miss this special place very much.”

Another person commented: “Nooooo! So sad to hear this, Tahi was my top of the list recommendation when someone wanted somewhere for breakfast. Hope you’ll find some other way to continue at another site or a pop up.”

Someone else’s comment said: “Sending all the love from NZ we are so proud of you and understand the difficult decision you had to make.”

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Featured image: Tahi

Eats

Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it. 

The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure. 

Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap. 

And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.

Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub. 

As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots. 

There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet. 

Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Delicious spring drinks
Delicious spring drinks
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar

A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals. 

Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta. 

And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut. 

Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce. 

“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar. 

“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”

Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather! 

“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”

To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new Bar Shrimp seafood bar in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Team behind award-winning Higher Ground to open new seafood bar, Bar Shrimp, in Manchester

Higher Ground, one of Manchester’s very top restaurants, is to open a brand-new seafood bar later this year.

With Bar Shrimp, they’ll be bringing a brand-new offering to town, with cocktails, beers on tap, British seafood and snacks.

Bar Shrimp will come from Daniel Craig Martin, Joseph Otway and Richard Cossins, who at this point are a well-oiled operational machine.

They’re the team behind proudly British bistro Higher Ground, which grows much of its own produce at its Cinderwood Market Garden and earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand within a year of opening.

The same team are also behind Flawd, the beautiful waterside wine bar at Ancoats Marina.

And they’ve cemented themselves as one of Manchester’s most widely acclaimed hospitality teams – even Rick Stein says Higher Ground is one of the best places to eat in the entire country, which is high praise indeed.

Bar Shrimp, set to open in Manchester this winter, aims to be a ‘relaxed and focused bar with delicious food’.

They say: “Whether it’s a beer after work, some food with friends or after dinner drinks late into the night, Bar Shrimp will be a dynamic space where the music and energy evolves throughout the evening where everyone and anyone can come together for a memorable experience.”

They announced the news this morning on Cerys Matthews’ BBC 6Music Show.

British seafood with a side of cocktails? Sounds alright to us.

A location, opening date and more info on Bar Shrimp will follow – stay up to date with their latest HERE.

More food and drink news:

Featured image: Supplied

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