A new vegan pasta restaurant has opened in The Royal Exchange, bringing entirely plant-powered plates to Cross Street as it takes over the former Vertigo site.
Called Pastan, inside diners can expect to find a variety of handmade pasta dishes and other delicacies, all made with premium ingredients and cooked in full view of the restaurant.
Serving a fully plant-based menu, favourites include the likes of loaded, deep-fried gnocchi, Dolce Vita (vegan carbonara), Green Velvet (a pea and shallot ravioli dressed in a salsa verde) and Catalonia (black cavatelli pasta made in a rich tomato sauce, spiced with apricot harissa and rosemary).
Image: Pastan
Image: Pastan
Elsewhere, pasta fans can dig into vegan Buffalo ‘mozzarella’ as part of its Portafina starter – a vegan spin on the popular Caprese, with added tomato, basil and olive oil – or opt for a shitake caesar salad, made with pulled exotic mushrooms, cashew ‘parmesan’, deep-fried gnocchi, Heura ‘chicken’ nuggets, lardons and vegan mayonnaise.
Dishes on the menu are set to change according to the season, and Pastan has partnered up with Carbon Free Dining – an environmental initiative that enables restaurants to mitigate the environmental impact of their meals by planting life-changing fruit trees in the developing world.
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Speaking on the new opening, Pastan Co-founder Jerome Ibanzes-Fawcett said: “Our love for food, fresh pasta, our concerns about sustainability, and passion for the hospitality industry was the driving force behind the creation of Pastan.
“We think Pastan will be a great addition to the already thriving vegan community in Manchester”.
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Image: Pastan
Image: Pastan
Co-founders Dean Fawcett and Jerome Ibanzes-Fawcett have worked in the hospitality industry for over twenty years.
After the success of their pop-ups in Neal’s Yard in Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Bristol, they opened their first permanent restaurant in Barbican, London. In addition to their brand new Manchester site, the pair plan on opening more locations in Bristol and Brighton towards the end of 2022/ early 2023.
Their new location, nestled in the heart of Manchester in The Royal Exchange, boasts a relaxed and cheerful vibe with aalk-ins and bookings both welcome.
To find out more and book a table, visit Pastan’s website here.
The UK’s largest wine festival is returning to Manchester this autumn
Lydia Mastrolonardo
The UK’s biggest festival of wine will be coming back to Manchester this year, with more than 300 wines on offer plus plenty more.
The Laithwaites’ Wine Festival is returning up north, following the major success of last year.
As well as having hundreds of wines to showcase, the festival will also offer a chance to discover a selection of luxury spirits, plus join expert-led tastings, and visit artisan food stands, all under one roof.
As the UK’s longest-running wine tasting event, with 40 producers from 17 different countries, and artisan food all accompanied with carefully paired wines at each stall, it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing.
Struggling to think of a birthday present or ideas for how to celebrate with loved ones? Look no further – each ticket includes a tasting guide to help plan your route around the room and a complimentary tasting glass to sample over 300 different wines – trust me, they will love it.
As part of the Friday evening entertainment, guests can also expect a special appearance from wine presenter and communicator Tom Gilbey. Here, fans will be able to talk with Tom and sample the Signature Six case, which is a collection of wines approved by the man himself.
What’s more, is that this year, guests are invited to get creative at their brand new ‘design a wine label’ competition. You never know, maybe a few top-quality glasses of wine is the sweet spot for your drawing abilities to show themselves.
It is also possible to upgrade each ticket to gain access to expert-led masterclasses, with tutored tastings of sparkling wine, sherry and food, or cheese with wine. Fine Wine ticket holders will also be granted access to the Fine Wine Room and its rarer bottles.
Whether you spend ages aimlessly deliberating in a supermarket aisle, pick the cheapest bottle and call it a day, or you can smell the bottle and tell me the exact province it is from – this event welcomes all wine-drinkers, no matter the level of expertise.
The festival will be hosted at Manchester Central, starting with an evening session (6pm to 9pm) on Friday 20 November, as well as a lunchtime (12pm-3pm) and evening session (5pm to 8pm), on Saturday 21 November 2026.
Tickets are on sale now, starting at £40 per session. Click HERE to grab yours now.
Award-winning Manchester cocktail bar Red Light announces surprise return in new location
Daisy Jackson
Red Light, an award-winning cocktail bar that closed its doors earlier this year, has announced it’s making a grand return.
The celebrated watering hole had been at Kampus in the city centre for three years before it closed for good in August.
But now, in news that will thrill a lot of us in Manchester, the bar has announced it’s returning, with plenty of new ’surprises’ to come.
Announcing Red Light 2.0 this evening, they revealed a brand-new location, with all the cocktails we all loved before, plus a new bar snack offering.
Also new with its reopening will be a dedicated clubbing space (operating in a residential area was one of the reasons Red Light closed at Kampus) and the return of its legendary street parties.
They said: “Your love and support has meant the absolute world to us since we closed the doors to our Kampus venue.
“It’s been a tricky secret to keep but we’re thrilled to share that we’re back and in a brand new location!
“This one feels special, it’s not often you get a second chance at things in the current climate.”
They added: “We can’t wait to welcome you with open arms. Red Light NQ. LETS GO BABY!”
Although they’ve not announced the location, they have teased some pictures – and unless we’re very much mistaken, they’ll be moving into Tariff Street, in the old El Capo site.
The Manc -
22nd November 2022 
