At a fancy-dress party in the early 1980s, one guest stood out among the various heroes and villains of the night: A man in a giant papier-mache head.
The face was shaped like a rugby ball. The eyes were wide and unblinking, resembling a pair of Pacman heads. The hair was painted-on – with a single streak removed to resemble a side parting. The mouth was carved out as a pair of protruding, pillowy lips.
That party crowd – who were both tickled and terrified by what they saw – would be Frank Sidebottom’s first ever audience.
Within months, people were actually paying to see him.
By the nineties, Sidebottom – a whiney, constantly-distracted overgrown child in a badly-fitted suit – had turned into a multi-talented superstar of Timperley: A lead singer, comedian, chat show host, guest speaker and football club founder all rolled into one.
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He left his mark in music, media and print; spending a lot of time performing off-key, localised covers of classic songs (Born In Timperley, Panic On The Streets Of Timperley, Anarchy In Timperley etc.) whilst his other adventures were detailed in cartoons (drawn himself).
When he wasn’t performing on stage or cheering on his football team Timperley Bigshorts (which he created) from the sidelines, Sidebottom could be found frolicking all over Manchester, be it splashing through water fountains on live TV, pestering passers-by, or parading through gardens with the head of Aphex Twin on a stick.
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He appeared at Reading Festival, Wembley, The Cavern Club and pretty much any place in Manchester that had a stage. Sometimes he’d just head out to the pubs and chat nonsense to a half-drunk crowd.
He lived an enigmatic life quite unlike any other character in history – with authors, journalists, filmmakers and fans still poring through his back catalogue to this day.
The man underneath the head was Chris Sievey – a young illustrator, doodler and musician. He’d mocked up the costume on a whim for an evening out, but decided to don the large head more regularly after seeing Sidebottom strike a chord.
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The papier-mache was constantly being refined before eventually being upgraded to fibreglass, and Sievey would always wear a nosepeg tied to a cord around his ears to ensure Sidebottom spoke with a nasal, northern twang.
One person to play with Sidebottom during his heyday was journalist Mark Kermode.
“Everyone who was in Manchester at that period gigged with Frank Sidebottom,” commented the critic.
“Because Frank Sidebottom performed all the time, anywhere and everywhere.”
Starting out as mega-fan for The Freshies (Sievey’s band), Sidebottom slowly turned into a big draw on the gig circuit, which led to him branching out as his own musician, before eventually turning into an interviewer and on-the-ground journalist.
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He became the Manc equivalent of The Naked Cowboy in Times Square; a familiar sight for locals, but someone who perplexed out-of-towners.
Given his Marmite brand of humour, it was always fascinating to see what type of reaction Sidebottom would get from his interview subjects. Celebrity guests on his chat series Frank’s Proper Tele Show would either keel over laughing at the absurdity of it all, or sit squirming in their seats in visible discomfort.
Not that it really mattered who was on the show, anyway. They’d barely get a word in edgeways.
Sidebottom would pepper his guests with inane questions and seemingly lose interest in the answer before the final word fell off his tongue; promptly flopping back into his chair, flailing his limbs in the air, or letting his oval head droop to the ground.
Sometimes, he’d make an inquiry then respond to it himself. On other occasions he’d throw tantrums.
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Sidebottom’s later shows were screened on the now-defunct Channel M for smaller local audiences, and there’d be ridiculous prizes for those who tuned in. He would proudly present items like “out of date food”; “a press pass to get into an event that’s already finished” and “pickled Power Rangers” (toy figures inside pickle jars); promising to mail each gift out to the winner.
As if Sidebottom himself wasn’t peculiar enough, he’d often bring out a cardboard mirror image puppet – Little Frank – who he’d routinely berate.
Anyone meeting Sidebottom would find getting a sensible conversation out of him absolutely impossible. One BBC interviewer, adamant to uncover the truth, once asked him: “What is it you’re trying to do?”
“I’m trying to make some money without me mum finding out,” replied Sidebottom.
But it was supposed to be that way. As his old bandmate Rick Sarko put it: “Frank didn’t want to be exposed as being a normal human being. Which he wasn’t.”
Very few people had Sidebottom figured out. Even now, ten years after his death, speculation surrounding the character remains rife.
Some think he was just a bizarre comic creation built solely as an excuse for Sievey to act daft and score cheap laughs in snooker clubs. But those closest to the man with the big red smile believed it was more complicated than that.
The fact that Sidebottom’s true identity was a mystery for many years was no accident. Sievey had gone to great lengths to keep it that way.
One of the few people who knew the real man during his lifetime was the journalist Jon Ronson, who played alongside Sidebottom in his Oh Blimey Big Band (the criteria for getting into the group was Ronson’s ability to play notes C, F and G successfully).
When Ronson walked backstage for the first time and said hello to “Chris”, a strange silence filled the air. He cautiously corrected the greeting to “Frank”, and only then, did he get a cheery, nasally reply.
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When it came to Sidebottom, Sievey never, ever phoned it in. When that giant head went on, he completely slipped away and let his chaotic character take the reins.
Mick Middles, Sidebottom’s biographer, suggested Sievey was consumed by his creation, calling the transformation into Sidebottom as “unsettling and remarkable”.
It reached a point where Sievey flipping between egos wasn’t entirely voluntary. It just happened.
Ronson remembers that Sievey would sometimes stay in character as Sidebottom for hours after he was done performing – despite there being no audience to play up to.
Andy Hay / Flickr
Sievey and Sidebottom seemed to live very different lives. But occasionally, the lines between them would blur.
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When Sievey was summoned to court for late payments to HMRC, for example, the experience was supposed to scare him straight, but instead it served as inspiration for Sidebottom to write a song about the merits of the taxman.
The footage of him singing “tax is absolutely fantastic” whilst merrily filling in financial forms on a kitchen table in front of an absolutely baffled onlooker is gold.
A restless creative and fun-loving cartoonist, Sievey had little time for the dull seriousness of adulthood, and Sidebottom offered him the perfect outlet for escape.
Still, the pair didn’t always coexist harmoniously.
In Steve Sullivan’s wonderful documentary, “Being Frank”, it’s revealed that Sievey set the costume aside for a period, partly resenting the fact that Sidebottom had become famous when “Chris” had not.
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Sievey spent time away from Sidebottom by working as a designer on animated shows like Pingu and Bob The Builder, but he couldn’t stay mad at his alter ego for long.
After a lengthy absence, he blew the dust off the head and the two reconciled, although the comeback would tragically be cut short.
Sievey was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, and he was found unresponsive on the floor of his flat just weeks later.
He passed away on 21 June 2010 at the age of 54.
Frank Sidebottom & Chris Sievey’s Big Page / Facebook
Despite Sidebottom’s local fame, Sievey died almost penniless, and was left facing a pauper’s funeral until Ronson tweeted the news to followers.
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Within hours, Sievey’s family had a pot overspilling with thousands to give him the kind of send-off he deserved.
Sidebottom has been gone for a decade, but you can still see him today – encased in bronze in his hometown of Timperley; a single thumb raised to greet passers-by.
The Sidebottom statue sculptor, who hailed from Eastern Europe, admitted she’d never seen anyone quite like him when she was recruited to do the work.
Even in death, Sidebottom was still surprising people.
A scheduled memorial was due to take place in Timperley this weekend; ten years to the day since Sidebottom bid farewell. But, like so many other major gatherings in 2020, the meet-up has been scuppered.
You can’t help but wonder what Sidebottom would have made of everything happening today. He’d certainly have had no problem with being locked down in his hometown.
Between his statue’s feet lies a plaque containing a message scrawled in the lower-case cartoonish handwriting style that both Sievey and Sidebottom favoured.
“As long as I gaze on Timperley sunset, I am in paradise,” it reads.
You know he was, he really was.
Feature
Romantic restaurants in Manchester that are perfect for Valentine’s Day 2023
Georgina Pellant
With Valentine’s Day in Manchester fast approaching, the city’s restaurants and bars are gearing up to welcome couples wanting to celebrate the day.
With so many great restaurants in Manchester, if you’re looking to take your other half out to eat you are quite literally spoilt for choice.
For those lost in a sea of menus and wondering where to book, we thought we’d help make things a little bit easier by recommending some of our favourite romantic restaurants and a few other popular date night spots to help get you started.
Keep reading to discover our top picks for where to take your date in Manchester this Valentine’s Day.
Hawksmoor
Not many London brands successfully make the move up to Manchester, but one that has done it with aplomb is high-end steakhouse Hawksmoor.
It’s pricey but worth it, with a stunning wood-paneled cocktail bar (and bar menu) available next to the restaurant to help you get your date off to a flying start.
As a steakhouse, it’s not particularly great for vegetarians or vegans – although there are some nice fish dishes to be found on the menu. The meat here is chargrilled in the josper, whilst sides typically come laden with rich cheese, nutmeg and cream.
The aforementioned cocktail list is excellent, as is the wine list. One of the owner’s mums is actually a wine critic for The Guardian and her at-home cooking style, taking simple dishes and executing them very well, was one of the inspirations for the Hawksmoor menu today.
One of the best restaurants in Manchester by a long shot, it is run by a married couple – with Polish-born Kasia Hitchcock positioned out front and her chef-partner Franco Concli working away making dumplings in the back.
Spatzle (pictured above) is the house specialty, said to mirror sparrows in flight – hence the restaurant’s name. It’s best eaten with a simple sauce of butter and sage, but there are numerous sauce options – plus countless European dumplings, a fine sake selection and an organic wine list.
The hushed, sleek interiors, meanwhile, will have you convinced you’re somewhere in New York – not on the back streets of the Green Quarter – as well as fostering a sense of intimacy between you and your dining partner.
A visit to The Oystercatcher requires a trip out to Chorlton, but it’s well worth it to taste some of the best fish on offer in the city – often chargrilled in the josper oven for added flavour.
Getting a good seafood menu together is challenging in a city as landlocked as Manchester, and the lists change weekly at the restaurant in reflection of this.
Oysters dressed with shallot mignonette tend to be a mainstay, whilst a sample menu lists the likes of black sea bream, scallops, monkfish, seabass, sea trout, mussels and crab.
Sides are ordered separately, with choices like fennel gratin, chargrilled broccoli, hispi cabbage, triple cooked chips and more.
The Perfect Match
Image: The Perfect Match
Image: The Perfect Match
A charming little 26-cover bistro in the south Manchester neighbourhood of Sale, it’s not just the name that makes this spot a perfect choice for a romantic date.
Serving up some critically acclaimed British and European food with a beautiful hand-picked selection of wines, find rich and comforting dishes like lamb ragu gnocchi, baked bone marrow with truffle, and 32-day dry-aged red Hereford beef on its regularly-changing a la carte menu.
As for pudding? Tuck into the likes of popcorn and white chocolate posset with salted caramel, or enjoy a peanut butter pie with candied peanuts and a warming glass of Pedro Ximinez.
10 Tib Lane
Image: 10 Tib Lane
Image: 10 Tib Lane
With sultry low lighting, quality cocktails, £1 oysters and plenty of tucked-away seating spread over three floors, 10 Tib Lane could’ve been made for date night.
Serving a tantalising small plates menu alongside some beautiful low-intervention wines, its Cumbrae oysters with mignonette are a must-order to get your night going.
Followed up with the likes of steak tartare, lamb sweetbreads, duck in port sauce, bone marrow and pommes anna, and charred hispi cabbage in shallot sauce, foodies should be in absolute heaven.
Another award-winning, Michelin-recommended eatery, this time from the team behind the Levenshulme (and now also Ancoats) bakeries, Trove.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, with its concrete floors and relatively sparse settings, it’s the food here more than the decor that makes Erst so romantic.
A love of fermentation and pickling has clearly passed from one sibling’s kitchen into another. Plates here are ordered to share, with a list of 10 to choose from.
Each designed simply to showcase the natural flavours of the produce, order as many as you can muster then tuck in with a good bottle of natural wine on the side.
Ornella’s Kitchen
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Home to some of the best pasta in Greater Manchester, you do have to schlep all the way out to Denton for it – but if incredible Italian food is part of your partner’s love language then trust us, it’ll be worth it.
By day, Ornella’s is very much a tiny deli cafe with room for just 12 diners at once. By night, the combination of the small space, low lighting and mouthwatering dishes make it a pasta lover’s paradise.
Dish-wise, think plump lobster ravioli, butter-drenched crispy sage and hazelnut spinach ricotta ravioli, and carbonara bucatini liberally doused in pepper and egg yolk, with crisp flecks of guanciale on top – all freshly made on-site by hand that day.
Opened by the team behind the Michelin-recommended Corvena in Chester just before Christmas, it boasts a stunning wine list (the name nods to the importance of weather in creating incredible wines) as well as some reportedly ‘genius’ dishes on its menu.
Serving a mixture of small and large plates, it also has one of the best panoramic views of the city skyline – looking down across Manchester from its perch on Blackfriars.
It feels like this Spinningfields rooftop restaurant needs no introduction at this point, but we’re going to do it anyway.
A glamourous restaurant and bar with a huge, heated outdoor terrace, it sits right at the top of the No.1 Spinningfields building overlooking the swanky glass towers of the business district from its position on high.
Long favoured for date night thanks to its breathtaking views of the skyline, its menu is not to be sniffed at either with a selection of delicious modern British dishes on offer.
Part of Gary Usher’s Elite Bistros group, this charming neighbourhood eatery in Didsbury Village is a wonderful spot for a romantic date.
The custard tart here is legendary, with an unctuous wobble that defies you to dare leave without ordering a slice.
Known for taking bistro classics and executing them to an exceptionally high standard, at Hispi you can expect a relaxed dining experience erring on the casual side.
Evelyn’s
Image: Evelyn’s
Another laid-back eatery with a casual setting, Evelyn’s offers a mixed menu of small plates that can be ordered to share or larger ones to enjoy alone.
A popular cafe by day, at night it comes alive in a whole new way – lit up romantically with plants trailing down from hangers above your head.
Evelyn’s also boasts a ‘secret’ bar below, The Daisy, where you can sneak off with your date afterward to enjoy a few cocktails (or wines) in a romantic setting.
El Gato Negro
The chef’s table at El Gato Negro in Manchester gives you a direct view of the chefs as they work. / Image: El Gato Negro
This AA Rosette and Michelin-recommended restaurant on King Street is a fail-safe date option in our (humble) opinion.
Serving up a mix of tapas dishes split into sections like fish and shellfish, meat, charcuterie, vegetables and para picar, tuck into the likes of Catalan bread, Padron peppers, salt cod croquettas and Morcilla scotch eggs.
Alongside a great wine and cocktail list, El Gato is also known for its sherry and vermouth selection – and both make a great complement to this style of dining.
For an ultra-romantic twist, if you love the idea of having a bit of theatre whilst you eat you can opt to sit at the chef’s table which faces directly into the kitchen.
If you ask us, romance doesn’t have to be all white tablecloths and rose petals – sometimes it’s more fun to get stuck in and share a curry with your loved one.
Since it opened in Manchester with queues out the door, Dishoom has remained one of the city’s most popular curry houses whilst maintaining an elusive, sultry feel – thanks, in part, to its setting within the city’s stunning former Masonic Hall.
Nestle up in one of its many beautiful corners on Valentine’s Day, with walk-ins always welcome.
Feature image – 20 Stories
Feature
All the Michelin recommended restaurants in Greater Manchester
Georgina Pellant
Here in Manchester, we’re truly spoilt for great places to eat out. The city boasts some brilliant restaurants, as do the outer boroughs if you’re willing to travel a bit further afield.
To make it onto a Michelin recommended list, though, is something else. Only sixteen restaurants in Greater Manchester are currently featured in the prestigious guide, and only one of those has a Michelin star – the currently beleaguered Mana in Ancoats.
All sixteen have their own individual quirks. From tapas to modern fine dining, classic French cooking to surprise menus foraged from whatever the team find that day, the list celebrates a range of different cooking styles and dining settings.
Keep reading to discover the full list of Michelin recommended restaurants in Greater Manchester.
Mana
What the guide says: “The personality of chef-owner Simon Martin shines brightly at this stylish, modern restaurant in the lively Ancoats area of Manchester, where every one of the well-spaced tables has a view of the kitchen.
“The same fixed price, surprise multi-course menu is now served at both lunch and dinner, and the emphasis is on seafood because, as Simon puts it, “we live on an island”. While most of the produce is British, dishes incorporate influences from Simon’s travels and experiences, most notably Japanese and Nordic.
“Powerful flavours are the chef’s hallmark, and the sophisticated, modern dishes are precisely crafted, original and well-balanced. Each dish has a thoughtfully chosen wine to complement it, the ambience is calm and unhurried, and the bright young team are enthusiastic and refreshingly free from pomp.”
Image: Mana
Erst
What the guide says: “A modern, industrial-style wine bar run by a group of friends, laid-back Erst offers something refreshingly different in the city. It specialises in natural, low-intervention wines – many of which you can buy to take home – accompanied by a selection of flavoursome small plates.”
Image: Erst
Adam Reid at The French
What the guide says: “An intimate hotel restaurant created in the Belle Époque age and brought up-to-date with a moody colour scheme, striking chandeliers and booths down the centre of the room. Boldly flavoured modern dishes focus on one main ingredient and the chefs present and explain the dishes themselves. Desserts are playful.”
What the guide says: “Grab a seat at the counter to watch the chef’s hard at work preparing a mix of vibrant Spanish and Portuguese small plates. The fish dishes are the best, along with the delicious Portuguese custard tarts. The room has a fun, industrial feel and is decorated with traditional blue tiles.”
The Sparrows
What the guide says:
“Nestled under the railway arches in Manchester’s Green Quarter is a restaurant whose name is (almost) the English translation of the word ‘spätzle’ – which gives some clue as to the style of food on offer here.
“The dumplings and assorted pasta dishes are all made in-house and include excellent pierogi. The focus on Eastern Europe carries through to the wine list, which has a leaning towards Polish wines.”
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The White Hart at Lydgate
What the guide says: “This 18C stone pub on the moor is a place that constantly evolves. It’s usually busy but the staff have everything under control and there are comfy bedrooms for those wishing to stay. Dining takes place in the cosy Tap Room or smart brasserie; the appealing menu has a British heart and global influences.”
Image: The White Hart
Image: The White Hart
El Gato Negro
What the guide says: “The buzzy ‘Black Cat’ sits in a pedestrianised street. The ground floor houses a bar, the first floor plays host to an industrial-style dining room and the top floor is home to a private events space with a retractable roof. Appealing tapas dishes include meats from the Josper grill.”
Image: El Gato Negro
Image: El Gato Negro
OSMA
What the guide says: “Located in the city’s northern suburbs, OSMA is a nod to the owners’ birthplaces – OSlo and MAnchester. Breakfast, salads and open sandwiches are replaced in the evening by tempting small plates. The stylish room comes with an open kitchen, a communal island table and smart curved banquettes.”
Image: OSMA
Tuna loin torched and dressed in jalapeño with radicchio and spring onion. / Image: OSMA
63 Degrees
What the guide says: “The bustling Northern Quarter is home to this family-run restaurant. The experienced owner-chef hails from France and his classic dishes are cooked with pride and passion using both local and imported French produce. The set lunch represents good value.”
Image: 63 Degrees
Image: 63 Degrees
Tast
What the guide says: “Tast is housed on the first two floors of this three-storey operation; ask for a seat on the lower level to watch the chefs behind the counter. Uncomplicated Catalan dishes are executed to a high level and are tasty and satisfying. A set menu is served in top floor Enxaneta Tast.”
Image: Tast
Image: Tast
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
What the guide says: “This large, loft-style restaurant is located on the top floor of a Victorian coffee warehouse and its open kitchen forms part of the room. The surprise menu is formed from whatever they have foraged that day and beasts are brought in whole and fully utilised. Matching wine flights focus on natural wines.”
Image: A Restaurant Where The Light Gets In
Saddleback X Tamworth gammon, preserved celeriac and 100 days of apple paste / Image: A Restaurant Where The Light Gets In
The Perfect Match, Sale
What the guide says: “At this simple, honest little bistro you’ll find Jacinda in the kitchen creating tasty, well-crafted dishes from across Europe, while Andrea picks out the perfect match for each dish from the wine list. Andrea’s family make Prosecco back in Italy and some of their wines are here to try.”
The Perfect Match, Sale
The Perfect Match, Sale
Habas
What the guide says: “From the same owners as Canto and El Gato Negro comes Habas, which occupies the old wine cellars of the magnificent former Manchester Club building. Small sharing plates are guided by the Middle East, with a few hints of the Mediterranean. The eye-catching décor has a rustic, slightly retro style.”
Image; Habas
Image: Habas
White Hart Inn, Oldham
What the guide says: “Never one to stand still, this 18C stone pub on the moor is constantly evolving. It’s a busy place but the staff have it all under control and there are comfy bedrooms for those wishing to stay. Dining takes place in a large rear room; the appealing menu has a British heart and global influences.”
Image: White Hart Lydgate
Image: White Hart Lydgate
Borage, Bowden
What the guide says: “British and Polish flavours combine at this friendly neighbourhood restaurant located in a pleasant village. Well-presented, colourful modern dishes reflect the seasons and are full of flavour. The homemade breads are a highlight, as is the chocolate mousse.”
Image: Borage, Bowden
Levanter, Ramsbottom
What the guide says: “Joe has a passion for all things Spanish – he’s even a trained flamenco guitarist – so, unsurprisingly, his sweet little tapas bar has an authentic feel. The menu is dictated by market produce; be sure to try some of the freshly sliced Iberico ham. He also owns the nearby Basque-style Baratxuri pintxo bar.”
Image: Levanter
Image: Levanter
Another Hand
What the guide says: “A café by day, this 24-seater space morphs into a restaurant by night, offering an appealing array of sharing plates which champion produce from local, ethical growers.
“The eye-catching dishes are served one at a time and their flavours are punchy and pronounced. Craft beers and low intervention wines accompany. Service is bubbly and the atmosphere, buzzing.”