A much-loved community cafe in Levenshulme has announced it will close its doors for good later this month.
Aunty Ji’s on Stockport Road, legendary for its cups of chai and South Asian food, broke the news on Wednesday evening with owners blaming rising costs for the decision in a statement posted on its website and social media pages.
The popular South Asian cafe has become a treasured part of the local community since opening in 2020, but now owners say it ‘just isn’t feasible’ to continue operating in its current form any longer.
Revealing that, over the past few months, the team had ‘tried a number of different things to turn things around,’ owners went on to say ‘sadly, they haven’t been enough to save Aunty Ji’s.’
However, it’s not all doom and gloom as the Asian fusion kitchen has also revealed plans to launch a new condiments brand, Raju.
Owners also hinted that Aunty Ji’s could ‘be back in some form’ further down the line ‘as Raju’s comes to fruition’, although they ‘can’t be sure for the moment’.
Image: Aunty Ji’s
Image: The Manc Eats
The full statement reads: “Hello, This is difficult to say, Aunty Ji’s is closing.
“Rising costs have led to a situation where it just isn’t feasible to be operating in our current form anymore.
“One of the things I’ve loved most since opening is talking to you, our customers. Since opening, we’ve shared so many great conversations, laughs, forged connections, developed friendships and more.
“The team and and I have tried a number of different things to turn things around over the past few months, sadly, they haven’t been enough to save Aunty Jis.
“I hope that the memories and experiences you had in Aunty Jis will forever hold a special place in your hearts, as they will in mine.
Image: Aunty Ji’s
Image: The Manc Eats
“While this chapter is coming to a close, I believe that every ending brings the promise of a new beginning. For me this will be Raju, a new home condiments brand that I’ve been working on over the past few months. Raju will posses many of the same passions and ideals of Aunty Ji’s and I’m really looking forward to getting started with it.
“There’s a chance that as Raju’s comes to fruition that we may be back in some form. But I can’t be sure for the moment.
“Aunty Ji’s is open till Tuesday 20th June. I’d love to see you before we say bye.”
A third added: “So so sad to hear this. Such fond memories in AJ’s and really sorry to hear things have been so tough. But excited for the future and Raju too. Keep us posted xx”
A fourth commented: “so sorry to hear this, wish you all the success in the world for Raju. I will miss your masala chai, which is the best I’ve had since laying on the beaches of India and a lovely old lady supplying me with endless chai and calling me a chicken lollipop.”
A fifth said: “I hope you do return in another form. I loved dining with you when I lived in Levenshulme. Best of luck! Thanks for the amazing Chai.”
Featured image – Aunty Ji’s
Eats
Northern Quarter favourite The Pen and Pencil announces massive 10th birthday party and huge offers
Daisy Jackson
The Pen and Pencil, an absolute staple for brunches and drinks in the Northern Quarter, is celebrating a major milestone this month with a huge party and some unbeatable deals.
The bar and restaurant will be marking 10 years on Tariff Street in September – and it’s only right that we all pile in to celebrate with them.
This spot is one of the city’s original bottomless brunch venues and is similarly famed for its happy hour offerings, and opened in 2015 to bring a taste of Manhattan to Manchester.
Pen and Pencil took its name from the infamous New York City bar that was seen in Mad Men.
And now as it turns 10 years old, it’ll be throwing one big party on Saturday 27 September, featuring 10 hours of DJs, free pints of Red Stripe at 10pm, and a special bottomless brunch offering.
Those DJing on the day will include Drag Race UK’s Banksie, as well as Les Croasdaile, Mark Hogg, Danny Ward and A Deeper Groove.
Pen & Pencil has amazing deals for its 10th birthdayPen & Pencil is a Northern Quarter OG
The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party will kick off from 2pm and run until late – but if you can’t make that one, there’ll be celebrations all week (and, indeed, month) long.
On Tuesday 23 September, you’ll be able to play for double prize money in The Pen and Pencil quiz, as well as enjoying happy hour drinks all night.
Then on Friday 26 September, it’ll be an all-night happy hour, with free tequila shots at 10pm and music from DJs Nev Johnson and Gareth James from 7pm.
All September long, there’ll be 50% off food every Monday, two-for-£10 cocktails every Wednesday, £10 burgers every Thursday, happy hour all night on Fridays, 10 dishes for £10 and two bloody Marys for £10 on Sundays, plus DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.
There’s a new colourful art installation outside the venue inspired by the bar’s New York roots.
Owner Kevin Connor said: “We’re really excited to be celebrating being part of the Manchester community for ten years!
“New York’s Pen and Pencil was a classic steak and cocktail joint, and we’re proud to have created our very own iconic Northern Quarter hangout. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating ten years on Tariff Street.”
Walk-ins are welcome for The Pen and Pencil 10th birthday party on Saturday 27 September, but booking is encouraged – book your spot HERE.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Eats
Manchester restaurant to give out FREE katsu curries to people called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’
Emily Sergeant
In what is a small stroke of genius, a restaurant chain has decided to give out free katsu curries to anyone called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’.
Throughout September, award-winning restaurant chain Banana Tree – which has a Greater Manchester site down at Salford Quays – is shining the spotlight on its popular katsu creations, and as a clever way of celebrating National Katsu Day on 27 September has announced a pretty unique giveaway.
That’s right – the restaurant will be serving up katsu dishes to people called Kat, Sue, and every delicious variation of the names in between.
Anyone named Kat, Katie, Katherine, Sue, Suzy, Susan, Suzanne – or close enough to qualify, the list goes on – can head to their local Banana Tree restaurant, and all they’ll need to do is show proof of name and they can enjoy a free katsu dish of their choice, worth up to £16.75.
The chain’s kastu lineup includes three star dishes.
First there’s the much-loved Katsu Curry, as well as the all-new Katsu Burger, which is made from either a crispy chicken or veggie fillet, spicy mayo, puffed noodle crunch, and a drizzle of Katsu sauce tucked into a soft Shokupan bun with a side of salt n pepper chilli chips.
Then there’s also the intriguing newcomer, the Katsu Carbonara – which is described as being a daring East-meets-West mash-up and ‘unapologetically’ Banana Tree.
Banana Tree is giving away free katsu curries to people called ‘Kat’ or ‘Sue’ / Credit: Banana Tree
With each of these dishes usually priced around the £16 mark, the giveaway isn’t just a way of marking National Katsu Day, but it’s also a way to sample the some of the restaurant’s biggest crowd-pleasers entirely free of charge.
To avoid any confusion on who makes the cut, Banana Tree will reveal the full qualifying list of name variations on Instagram soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
“Our Katsu range is one of our proudest creations, so National Katsu Day felt like the perfect moment to have some fun with our fans,” a Banana Tree spokesperson said ahead of the giveaway.
The free katsu offer is available for four days only from Monday 22 to Thursday 25 September, and you just need to head to the Banana Tree website to sign up to the Big Flavour Club here.
Georgina Pellant -
15th June 2023 
