Bondi Bowls, a fast food spot inspired by the health-conscious takeaways of Australia, is about ready to open its doors at Kampus.
The business is already a firm favourite amongst Mancs after its time spent at Escape to Freight Island, the now-closed street food village Hatch, and on delivery platform Deliveroo.
And now Bondi Bowls is ready to launch a dedicated restaurant space within the garden neighbourhood at Kampus.
This new Manchester restaurant does a good job of recreating the sunnier climes of Bondi Beach, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, white walls, and a giant mural of the world-famous beach on one wall.
To celebrate its launch on Monday 9 October, Bondi Bowls will be giving away 100 free bowls to the first customers who head down from 11.30am.
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Its menu features flavour-packed salad bowls, like a Caesar Bowl, a Mexican Bowl, and a Poke Bowl, each one customisable with protein-packed add-ons like charred salmon, watermelon sashimi, and tofu.
The vegan-friendly offering also includes Acai Bowls and fresh smoothies.
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Bondi Bowls has opened at Kampus in ManchesterBondi Bowls has opened at Kampus in Manchester
There are taps pouring locally-brewed kombucha from Laid Bear, and All Press Espresso coffee.
You can even buy little jars of their homemade ingredients, from salad dressings to baked coconut to chilli crunch to granola.
The business was founded by Jamie Tones, who took inspiration from his years spend living Down Under.
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Jamie said: “We’re on a mission to challenge perceptions of ‘fast food’ and give people on-the-go choices that are healthier, and packed with flavour and vibrancy. It’s something Australia does really well, but is somewhat lacking in the UK – even in major cities like Manchester.
“Opening a new Bondi Bowls home at Kampus is an absolute dream. Our base of customers has grown so quickly and we’ve been floored by how supportive they’ve been. We love our new space and can’t wait to welcome people through the doors with our 100 bowl giveaway.
Bondi Bowls has opened at Kampus in ManchesterBondi Bowls has opened at Kampus in ManchesterBondi Bowls has opened at Kampus in Manchester
“Our new home will be a welcoming space, where people can spend time and eat in or grab and go – with our stacked menu of Bondi favourites and some new additions. We’ve got loads of exciting link-ups in the pipeline for those wanting to make healthy changes in their life, starting with hosting the great people at Manchester Run Club for their weekly run and social.
“Kampus is the perfect fit for us, with its foodie credential and focus on wellbeing, our offer really complements that of our inspiring neighbours.”
Manchester Run Club will soon meet at Bondi Bowls for a five-week period, where every Tuesday people can have a go in a pop-up sauna and cold plunge.
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Adam Brady, from HBD, said: “More and more people are focusing on every aspect of their health and wellbeing. That’s really resonated at Kampus, with our bootcamps in the garden, rooftop yoga and the Love From sober celebrations set to open in the Bungalow this October.
“Bondi Bowls is a stellar addition to the neighbourhood – a real Manchester success story that’s quickly gained a loyal following. We can’t wait to see the doors open on what will surely become a go-to favourite for those fed up with the daily pre-packed supermarket sandwich.”
To claim a free bowl at Bondi Bowls’ launch on Monday 9 October, sign up here and make sure you’re one of the first 100 people through the door from 11.30am.
Bondi Bowls will be open Monday – Saturday, 11am-8pm.
The Manchester restaurant serving up the ‘world’s hottest curry’ for just a few days
Danny Jones
City centre favourite Zouk is serving up ‘the world’s hottest curry’ again to celebrate National Chilli Day next week.
The popular tea bar and grill located on Chester Street just off Oxford Road is slap bang in the middle of student central and has hordes of patrons lining up day in, day out, to taste their incredible Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
Now, to celebrate every spicy-food lover’s favourite day, Zouk is putting on special, limited-time-only menu to cater to all you heat freaks and speaking collectively on The Manc‘s behalf (several of us having tried it), it’s no joke.
The World’s Hottest Curry will be available for five days from Monday 24 to Friday 28 February, with a challenge on Thursday 27 February with prizes to anyone who can finish the fiery karahi.
The dishes
When it came to coming up with the world’s hottest curry, Zouk didn’t have to look far for inspiration, they simply picked the world’s hottest chilli: the Carolina Reaper Chilli.
Combining the 1,569,000 Scoville scorcher of a chilli with their much-loved and already spicy chicken karahi and vegetable karahi recipes, they knew they were on a winner. You might have to sign a waiver to eat it but that’s all part of the fun, right?
Typically prepared in a wok and cooked over hot flames with tomatoes, ginger, garlic, peppercorns and cumin to create the sauce base, the karahi originates from the Northwest region of Pakistan and has a great flavour. Depending on how brave you’re feeling, you can have it as a kebab or a full curry.
Credit: Supplied
That being said, this version does contain dried Carolina Reapers so you might not taste much beyond the heat of the sun after a few seconds. While the chilli is deemed suitable for human consumption, even Zouk’s chefs have admitted to struggling with the dish. Gulp. So, what can you win?
The challenge and prizes
Us Brits love a good curry and we already know that plenty of you won’t be able to resist the urge to take on the Reaper Challenge simply out of pride, so we might as well just tell you what you’ll have to eat in order to win the prizes.
Here’s what’s up for grabs:
Finish the full Carolina Reaper Curry (either chicken or veg) in one sitting (max eating time 30 minutes and no helping from companions), Zouk will give you the meal for free.
PLUS, a £50 Zouk Gift Card so you can come back at a later date to try their full menu (including some less omg-spicy options).
You’ll also get a Zouk Ice Cream Sunday to help cool off afterwards. Trust us, you’ll need it.
Issuing a statement for National Chilli Day and the Reaper Challenge, owner Tayub Amjad said: “Our food is usually more about flavour than heat but it’s National Chilli Day, and we know our customers love this challenge.
“For those who complete the challenge, you still have chance to come back and dine on us at a future date, so you will still get to experience the real Zouk too.”
What you thinking, Manchester? Are you up for taking on the world’s hottest curry?
Prestwich pizzeria Dokes announces closure as neighbourhood goes through big changes
Daisy Jackson
One of Prestwich’s best-loved independent restaurants has announced the end of its current chapter, saying that it’s become too difficult to operate with tighter and tighter margins.
Dokes, a pizzeria that also served arguably the town’s best roast dinner, has said that it’s going to ‘have to call it a day’ after three years in the proudly independent neighbourhood.
The news comes just months after Rudy’s opened its first Prestwich restaurant just across the road from Dokes, though that of course may just be a coincidence…
The restaurant comes from the same team behind Elnecot in Ancoats, and opened in 2022, promising delicious pizzas made with (wherever possible) British ingredients.
In a statement issued today, chef and owner Michael Clay said that ‘it’s just not been possible for us to make the money required for the size of team needed to run as a pizza restaurant’.
He wrote: “We are a small restaurant and the margins that were there pre-Covid are not achievable anymore at this scale and only getting tighter month on month.”
He then teased that they would be keeping the Bury New Road site on, with plans to reopen as a new concept.
Prestwich has been growing in popularity in recent years, with a blossoming food and drink scene and healthily increasing house prices.
It’s on the precipice of a £100m overhaul too, which will see the Longfield Centre transformed and new facilities built near the tram stop, including a community hub, a new village square, a market hall, flexible retail and leisure spaces, landscaped outdoor and green spaces, a new travel hub off Fairfax Road and around 200 homes.
It’s always been a village packed with local small businesses until this year, when both Rudy’s and Gail’s opened up – prompting this heartfelt statement from another local indie.
Dokes’ full statement reads: “After nearly 3 years of trying our hardest, unfortunately we’re going to have to call it a day.
“Having originally taken on the premises in between the two lockdowns (remember them?!), we’ve been extremely proud of what we have achieved under sometimes unbelievably difficult circumstances. Our staff have been the cornerstone of this and we would like to thank them for all of their hard work. The feedback we have received over the past couple of years on their food, service and hospitality has been absolutely incredible and we are extremely grateful for the hard work they have put in and the commitment they have shown.
“We feel like we have created a product that you have absolutely loved and a space that you have enjoyed coming to and we now really feel like a part of the Prestwich community – and for that we can’t thank you enough! You came for the pizzas and stayed for the roasts and it’s been a lot of fun.
“Try as we might though, it’s just not been possible for us to make the money required for the size of team needed to run as a pizza restaurant. We are a small restaurant and the margins that were there pre-Covid are not achievable anymore at this scale and only getting tighter month on month.
“So it is with a heavy heart that we are closing the door on this chapter BUT…we aren’t going to be leaving you completely…
“We have plans for the place which we will be updating you about very soon so please watch this space for more details. We hope you’re going to love it.
“As Dokes, Sunday 9th March will be our final service so please come down over the next couple of weeks, grab a pizza or a roast and say hello. It would be lovely to see you all. Bookings are open and the cellar is stocked so lets fill the little place up and go out with a bang!
Daisy Jackson -
5th October 2023 
