A bakery and bistro in Oldham has opened a drive-thru cakery service and we are absolutely desperate to go.
Wonderlust Bistro and Bakery on Library Lane first opened in February this year, leaving locals clamouring about its excellent bakes as theOldham Times reported it could ‘rival any Manchester bistro’.
The family-run eatery is headed up by baker Saarah Chowdhury, who runs the bakery and bistro alongside brother Mohammed and mum Shelley Rahman.
With an unmissable bright pink and purple exterior and a mouthwatering menu of cakes and other bakes, plus bistro dishes ranging from Korean corndogs to pancakes, roasts and loaded fries, it’s already become a huge hit – drawing in locals and foodie tourists alike.
The brightly coloured exterior of Wonderlust Bakery and Bistro has been painted by local artists. / Image: Wonderlust Bakery
Jammy Dodger cupcakes at Wonderlust Bakery. / Image: Wonderlust Bistro
The demand for their treats has become so high, in fact, that the team has recently launched its own car service so that visitors can easily pull up, place an order and have their goodies brought directly to them.
ADVERTISEMENT
Open from 5pm until midnight, this is definitely the place to go for a late-night treat with everything from. Jammy Dodger and Kinder Hippo cupcakes to Biscoff-stuffed cheesecake, milk cake, Snickers brownies and gooey Nutella-filled cookies on offer from the bakery.
Food from the bistro is also available to order as part of the evening car service, although it is worth noting that the team is currently running a temporarily limited menu and different opening times for Ramadan.
A Snickers brownie at Wonderlust Bakery. / Image: Wonderlust Bakery
Korean corndogs (classic beef and potato mozzarella) from Wonderlust Bistro. / Image: Wonderlust Bistro
During this period the bakery will open from 6pm-1am Wednesday to Sunday, before returning to their normal opening times from Friday 21 April.
The bistro, meanwhile, will open from 5pm – 12am Wednesday to Saturday during Ramadan serving a dinner menu of corndogs, pancakes and French toast, and from 12-9pm on Sundays serving brunch, roast and corndogs.
Those driving in for the car service are also asked to park in the bakery and bistro’s rear car park.
Sharing the news with its followers on Instagram, the Wonderlust team wrote: “Due to overwhelming demand, we are introducing our car service for Wonderlust Bistro & Wonderlust Bakery! You can place your order via 07531557354 for food, cakes & drinks.
“How to order:
“(Open from 5pm – 12am Wednesday- Saturday)
ADVERTISEMENT
“- Park in our car park “- Call 07531557354 “- Place your order and provide your reg plate “- Someone will bring your order out and we’ll take payment via cash & card”
Family behind Salvi’s launch new concept, weeks after iconic restaurant closure
Daisy Jackson
Just weeks after the closure of its iconic, 16-year-old Italian restaurant in the Corn Exchange, the family behind Salvi’s have revealed a brand-new concept.
And this time, the reins are being handed over to the next generation.
Salvi’s founder Maurizio Cecco has helped to shape Amò, but it’s all the brainchild of his daughter, Sienna.
Sienna will run the business out of a unit up on Deansgate Mews, serving fresh pasta dishes, pizza sandwiches, tubs of tiramisu, and two-for-£10 spritzes.
The deli aspect of the original Salvi’s has been carried over to Amò too – you’ll find shelves almost to the ceiling filled with Italian pasta, wine, olive oils, pistachio spreads, and more.
Sienna has grown up in restaurants, with her parents launching Salvi’s when she was just two years old.
She said she wants the space to be a livelier, fresher version of the Italian restaurant that has been so loved by Mancs for so many years.
Sienna outside AmòFresh pasta dishesInside Amò by Salvi’sTheir viral frozen crema di caffeLemon granitaInside Amò by Salvi’sTiramisu pots
Amò, which is Neapolitan slang for ‘my love’, will have loads of fresh Italian dishes, including arancini, gnocchi, and hearty pasta plates.
At lunchtimes, guests can order from a £10 lunch menu, with dishes changing daily depending on the best produce the kitchen can get – it could be a pizza sandwich with proscuitto and tomato, a spicy pasta, or a gnocchi bake, always served with your choice of soft drink.
With its position on Deansgate Mews, Amò basks in the sunshine at lunchtimes.
And while it’s definitely a different concept to the original Salvi’s, Amò looks set to carry the family’s Italian food legacy into its next generation.
Award-winning Didsbury bakery La Chouquette reveals incredible new site
Daisy Jackson
La Chouquette is one of Greater Manchester’s top bakeries – an award-winner, with queues down the street every weekend for its authentic French pastries and loaves.
And now they’re ready for a new chapter, revealing a major expansion today.
Owners Catrina and Flo have painstakingly expanded the bakery into the unit next door, creating what feels like a true French bakery.
And in the midst of this huge renovation project, they’ve welcomed a tiny new baby boy – quite the summer for the couple.
Catrina and Flo launched La Chouquette in lockdown, and in a time where people could only get their hospitality fix from takeaways, immediately became one of the most popular spots in the region.
Their success has been so great, you’ll still consistently find queues down the street every weekend, for their top sellers like their authentic almond croissants.
Then in October 2024, they grew the business and launched Piqniq, a new deli in Didsbury village, serving freshly-baked baguette sandwiches, breakfast butties, toasties, tiramisu pots and their legendary pastries.
The new-look La Chouquette features beautiful details like mosaic floors, rich blue walls, wooden shelves, and brass light fixtures.
La Chouquette’s best-selling almond croissantsInside the stunning new La Chouquette in DidbsuryNew savoury bakesThe chausson aux pommesThe counter stuffed with artisan French bakesChocolate chip cookies and cinnamon buns
The huge new counter displays more pastries and breads than ever before, like a hearty chausson aux pommes filled with apples that will be perfect for autumn, plus seasonal treats like a rhubarb creme brulee pastry, and homemade quiche.
Speaking at the grand relaunch today, Catrina said: “The layout has changed, it looks so much more chic, it looks like a traditional French bakery. We’re really excited about it.”
As for what’s on the counter, Flo reassured fans that their beloved almond and pistachio croissants remain, but with some new savoury editions, like a truffle croque monsieur made with croissant dough.
La Choquette has reopened today, and will be open seven days a week from 7am until 5pm.
Georgina Pellant -
12th April 2023 
