A new hotly-anticipated ‘tacos and tequila joint’ is opening doors in Withington next week and it’s set to bring the taste of Mexico to South Manchester post-lockdown.
Taking the place of the much-loved neighbourhood hangout Solomons Cafe Bar on Wilmslow Road, Southside Tequila Joint is the brainchild of the original Solomons owners, Rupert Cade and Rick McClean, in partnership with Lyndon Higginson – the well-known proprietor of city centre favourite hotspots Crazy Pedro’s, Bunny Jackson’s and Wolf at the Door.
Southside Tequila Joint will be looking to offer South Manchester residents an alternative to a city centre trip.
After much speculation amongst the community, the Southside rebranding was first announced via the Solomons Cafe Bar Facebook page at the start of May in a post that read: “After 5 years Solomons is being retired.”
“When lockdown ends we’ll be reopening as Southside Tequila Joint.”
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Don’t worry, it’s still going to be the same neighbourhood hang out with the same amazing team… just better everything else. Withington is going to have its very own taco and tequila joint.”
“We can’t wait to show you what we’ve done to the place.”
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BIG NEWS! After 5 years Solomons is being retired. When lockdown ends we'll be reopening as Southside Tequila…
Southside Tequila Joint is very much a product of lockdown, and in the best way possible.
After lockdown restrictions were first announced in the UK all the way back in March, this presented the owners with the unique opportunity to completely reinvent the Solomons space in a way that they would not have been able to otherwise.
A complete renovation of the premises began shortly after Solomons’ doors closed.
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Those familiar with previous Solomons space will notice upon the reopening of Southside that the bar area has been extended/opened up, additional booth seating has been installed at the back of the venue, it now boats an impressive outdoor seating terrace and it has even been expanded downstairs too, providing more seating and a second bar area.
We’ve been busy getting our little neighbourhood taco and tequila joint ready for when we all come out of lockdown.
The kitchen area has also been newly refurbished, ready to serve authentic tacos and tequila to a community that’s been calling out for it.
Southside Tequila Joint is launching on Wednesday 8th July and will be open until 2am every night.
You can call 0161 434 123 and visit their Facebook page here.
The Manc is helping local businesses and venues get back on their feet after lockdown with our #BuzzingToBeBack campaign – offering as much support and exposure for Manchester hospitality as possible.
Read more about what we’re doing for the industry here.
Eats
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb
Thomas Melia
Much-loved Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five has just unveiled a beautiful refurbishment at one of its Manchester sites, along with a new menu of fresh, handmade pasta.
Gone is the famous yellow colour palette of this Italian eatery as they swap in a sophisticated and regal turquoise blue at their Liverpool Road restaurant.
This establishment is known for its impressive shop-window pasta making stations where you can see your food prepared live in-store and while walking past outside the venue.
They’re continuing their foodie legacy serving carby creations, like a flaming cheese wheel pasta where staff blowtorch the cheese to ensure it’s as melty as possible.
One of the biggest menu highlights at Italiana Fifty-Five is the cappellacci, which comes in two equally gorgeous forms and much like its English translation, emulates tiny hats.
These cute little plates come in two delicious stuffed pairings – the burrata, combined with a tangy tomato and beef filling, and a salmon with cream sauce and fresh lemon for a match made in heaven.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
How can you think of anything more ideal than a table full of hearty and home-comforting meals than one that also features an array of beautiful sides?
Usual delights like the burrata on a bed of rocket, tomato and finished off with a balsamic vinegar glaze area great addition to your already faultless food.
Cheesy garlic pizza bread is quintessential when dining in an Italian restaurant, and Italiana 55’s lovely flavour-packed favourite is a go-to when ordering here.
The Liverpool Road restaurant also has a tonnata pizza which uses toppings that are an exact ingredient breakdown of the Mediterranean sauce, which it shares its name with.
In photos: Italiana Fifty-Five has undergone a refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to wolf down some incredible Italian feasts than with some perfectly paired alcoholic offerings like the classic Aperol spritz, trusted espresso martinis and a selection of fine wines.
Their menu is staying as tasty as ever with their delicious pizzas and pastas, with the new fresh pasta menu available at their restaurants on Liverpool Road and in Didsbury.
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
Emily Sergeant -
2nd July 2020 
