When the chef team behind Unagi first unveiled their Trafford food truck Lil Kimchi back in early 2020 they had no idea of the success that was coming their way.
Originally, their plan had been to focus entirely on katsu – a Japanese dish of fried chicken made with panko bread crumbs, generally served with a light and fragrant Java curry sauce. Keep things simple, one dish, one trailer, sounds easy enough right? Maybe too easy.
Within the space of a week, the country had gone all topsy-turvy. Restaurants were being forced to close, kitchens were giving away food and staff were being paid to stay at home, whilst food trucks and takeaways had seemingly never been more in demand.
Staring into the face of adversity, Unagi triumphed – and soon found that the demand for their food was high enough to start opening other sites.
Soon came permanent sites in Altrincham, Didsbury and Wilmslow, followed by a branch in Media City. Then, last year, the team opened up a fifth spot in Cheetham Hill: assuaging those city centre folk who had, up until now at least, been feeling a little left out.
ADVERTISEMENT
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Serving up a host of on-the-go street snacks like crispy fried squid and best-selling bang bang chicken wings alongside a huge selection of sushi, on the menu here you’ll find heavy-hitting sushi rolls like their truffled avocado Spider, and the Mushu special made with seared salmon and black tobiko.
All fish is delivered fresh every morning and broken down on site by their expert sushi chefs, who ensure that nothing goes to waste. The very finest pieces are used in their quality sashimi, while others are used in sushi rolls and hot dishes like Unagi’s sweet and sticky salmon teppanyaki.
Salmon teppanyaki over steamed rice at Unagi. / Image: The Manc Eats
Chicken katsu at Unagi. / Image: The Manc Eats
Highlights include the ‘chef’s choice’ omakase platters, an ornate assembly of the freshest sushi rolls that day – typically a mixture of nigiri, sashimi, hosomaki and urumaki rolls.
Elsewhere on the Unagi menu, you’ll find street-style Japanese tuna tacos with mango and avocado salsa, deep-fried pumpkin and prawns, kimchi, edamame and a kaiso salad with seaweed and goma sauce.
Salt and pepper squid at Unagi. / Image: The Manc Eats
Bang Bang chicken wings are a bestseller at Unagi. / Image; The Manc Eats
After being possibly the busiest Manchester takeaway during a lockdown and even recruiting their own driver team, Unagi has just gone exclusive on Deliveroo so you know we had to get down for an episode of Takeaway Champions.
We even managed to score a discount code for you to get £5 off when your order from Unagi with Deliveroo.
To see the full menu click here and to find out more about Unagi head over to their Instagram page here. Oh, and to save on your next Deliveroo order make sure to use our code 5OFFUNAGI when you check out.
First look inside Social Osteria, Stockport’s buzzy new Italian restaurant
Lydia Mastrolonardo
That’s right Stopfordians – we’re gaining yet another brand new addition to our town’s blooming food and drink scene, as Social Osteria opens its doors at Weir Mill.
It’s safe to say we’re in good hands, with the geniuses behind The Social Trattoria, named best Trattoria at the Italian Awards UK 2025, being the ones to bring this new taste of Italy to South Manchester.
Just because we are no longer experiencing the weather to match an Italian summer, doesn’t mean we can’t continue eating like we’re there.
Social Osteria can now be found overlooking the River Mersey, as a beautiful 2,000 sq ft space within the buzzing new canalside development, fully equipped with the classic exposed red brickwork, vaulted ceilings and even the restored original kiln.
As you approach the restaurant, you are greeted by a sunken courtyard and riverside seating, making for the perfect alfresco dining spot, when the warmer weather finally rolls back around.
With the meaning of Osteria being an Italian tavern, for locals to gather and enjoy each other’s company, good wine and honest, flavourful food – the team have stayed true to the name. You can expect dim, ambient lighting, an open kitchen, fresh small plates, flavourful 48-hour pizzas, and traditional pasta.
Vibrant dishes at Social Osteria in Stockport. Credit: The Manc Group
This glamorous new restaurant is promising a spectacular menu, from cacio e pepe butter beans to guanciale topped pizzas and their very own slow-cooked beef shin and pork shoulder paccheri ragu, you know we’re in the right place.
With Italian food running in the family, the team’s cooking practices are rooted in traditional methods, passed down through the generations and then presented to us, with the freshest of ingredients.
It suits Capital&Centric, who’ve taken the same approach to Weir Mill itself – embracing the character of the historic mill whilst transforming it into a vibrant community, for generations to come.
Inside Social Osteria at Weir Mill. Credit: The Manc Group
Set below Stockport’s iconic viaduct, the £60m neighbourhood is now home to 253 apartments alongside bustling cafés, wine bars and stunning restaurants akin to Social Osteria, accompanied by plenty of outdoor seating, green spaces, and riverside viewpoints.
Where Osteria Social now calls home is part of Stockport’s £1 billion Town Centre West masterplan, adding to the town’s growing reputation as one of the best locations to live in the UK.
Social Osteria will officially open Thursday 22 October, at Weir Mill. Be sure to book your tables early as we fear this one might get a little booked up.
Traitors star and comedian Joe Lycett is putting cash behind the bar at two Manchester pubs
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Joe Lycett is putting money behind the bar at two Manchester pubs this week, as he continues to encourage people to get out and support their local boozers.
The TV favourite – who is also currently one of the stars on The Traitors – announced the news as he bid farewell to his fictional TV pub The Lycett Arms.
On the show, he said: “There are 45,000 pubs in the UK – go and give them some love.”
Joe Lycett then proceeded to list 30 brilliant pubs up and down the country, including two in Manchester, and announced that the drinks are on him this week.
He told audiences: “[This] Friday I’ll be putting a little bit of money behind the bar in all the pubs you’ve just seen. I hope you can have a drink on me.”
The pubs he picked out in Manchester are the iconic old boozer The Peveril of the Peak, and the excellent pub and comedy venue The Old Monkey.
The Peveril of the Peak on Great Bridgewater Street is a real icon in the city centre, with its green tiled exterior and its cosy interiors.
Until recently, it was run by legendary local landlady Nancy Swanick, who died in July at the age of 96.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterInside The Pev
Commenting on Joe Lycett’s post about his pub offer, they wrote: “You are all more than welcome at The Pev. Give me a shout and I will sort you out with a pie, Joe.”
The Old Monkey, meanwhile, is famed for its comedy nights run by Trapdoor Comedy Club, and for its open mic sessions, as well as award-winning beers.
The Portland Street pub has also very kindly agreed to match Joe Lycett’s donation, which means double the budget for pints for Mancs.
Georgina Pellant -
9th March 2023 
