Food & Drink

Cosmo World Buffet is finally reopening in Manchester next week

The restaurant offers a choice of fresh food all under the same roof to "elevate the buffet concept to new levels."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 5th November 2021

It’s been a long time coming, but after over 19 months of closure, Cosmo World Buffet is finally reopening next week.

Like most businesses across the country, the Manchester city centre branch of the ever-popular buffet restaurant chain decided to temporarily close its doors all the way back in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic first began to take hold, explaining in a post on Facebook at the time that the decision was taken “out of an abundance of caution, and concern for the health and well-being of the community”

Yet, when the hospitality industry steadily started to get back on its feet once restrictions began the lift, doors to the Deansgate-based restaurant continued to stay closed, and has remained shut ever since.

Although the reasons for the restaurant remaining closed were unconfirmed, speculation came after there were concerns and queries raised nationally over how buffet, carvery, and ‘self serve’-style restaurants would reopen safely post-COVID.

Given how popular the restaurant was on the Manchester food scene when it was open, it’s understandable that foodies were disappointed at the thought of it closing down for good.

But now, the day has finally come – Cosmo World Buffet is reopening on Wednesday 10 November.

Cosmo World Buffet is reopening on Wednesday 10 November / Credit: Cosmo Restaurants

Announcing its long-awaited return and grand reopening to fans in a social media post last month, Cosmo Manchester said: “It’s been a long time coming but it’s finally official – our doors will be re-opening on Wednesday 10th November [and] we’re so excited to see you all again.

“It’s time to get together and enjoy an unlimited COSMO feast with us.”

If you’ve never been to Cosmo World Buffet and you’re not sure what all the hype is about, then it’s an all-you-can-eat restaurant that’s said to be inspired by the best five-star hotels in the world that are known for bringing a choice of fresh food all under the same roof to “elevate the buffet concept to new levels”.

The best of Asian, Indian, continental, Teppanyaki, carvery, and deli cuisines are all on the menu to choose from, as well as a mouth-watering selection of desserts, and endless drinks.

The restaurant offers a choice of fresh food all under the same roof to “elevate the buffet concept to new levels” / Credit: Cosmo Restaurants

To celebrate the reopening, Cosmo Manchester is hosting a couple of unmissable competitions over on its Facebook page – including a £50 voucher giveaway, and the chance for 25 people to win a free dinner for four people.

Blue Light Card Holders are also invited to enjoy a trial dinner at the Deansgate restaurant too, which you can find out more about here.

Bookings from Wednesday 10 November are now available here.

Featured Image – COSMO Restaurants

Food & Drink

Kala announces closure after more than half a decade in Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Another hit for the Manchester hospitality sector as city centre cult favourite Kala has announced it has closed with immediate effect.

The Manc bistro, beloved for putting a contemporary slant on British and French classics, was opened by restaurateur Gary Usher back in 2021, receiving plenty of positive press over the years.

Perhaps the most notable bit of praise it received was from renowned food writer Jay Rayner, who said it “quietly feeds you well”. But that was part of the problem: it was too quiet, unfortunately.

Announcing the shutdown on Tuesday evening (24 June), Usher shared an extended statement on social media, explaining the details behind the decision – but there was one, clear, overriding reason.

Confirming the news on Instagram, the chef-owner wrote: “Gary Usher here.. It’s with a heavy heart that I announce the immediate closure of Kala. I’m not really sure how to explain why we’ve closed other than we weren’t busy enough to cover our costs.

“I really really want to blame the economy and the pandemic. I really want to say the rising costs have made it impossible. All those factors haven’t helped, but we are 50% down in trade at Kala, and that is the killer.”

This isn’t the first of the St Albans-born chef’s locations to close either, as his Burnt Truffle venue on the Wirral also shut back in January.

Nevertheless, Kala’s reputation has remained strong throughout, boasting one of the best elevated albeit accessible evening and lunch deals in the city centre, not to mention at very reasonable prices.

Moreover, they were famed for their stunning Sunday dinners, with Sacha Lord dubbing them the best roasts in Manchester he’s had “in ages.”

Sacha Lord hails Manchester restaurant for serving up ‘the best Sunday roast’ he’s had ‘in ages’
That perfectly blushed beef was incredible.

Usher goes on to add: “It goes without saying our business rates [are] increasing substantially, and the hike in NIC [national insurance] contributions only works against us. This was not planned, but neither was us being this quiet in June. All the Kala team will be paid up to date, our rent & suppliers too.

“If you have a voucher with us, as always, it can be used in the wider group. It was always a dream to have a restaurant on King Street in Manchester. I just wish it had lasted longer than 6 years.

“Thank you to all the team past & present & I’m so sorry to all of you and all the guests that I couldn’t create something with longevity.

“Please come and visit us in Didsbury at Hispi where it will be our pleasure to welcome you. Farewell, King Street. Farewell Kala. Gary.”

Kala closing marks yet another local business we’re gutted to see go, as it was only earlier this month that we had to bid goodbye to both Medlock Canteen and Indian street food spot, Rola Wala, which closed on Monday.

Safe to say it’s been a gutting few days for local food and drink.

With that being said, please do support the Elite Group’s remaining restaurants where you can, which include the aforementioned Hispi, The Sticky Walnut in Chester, The White Horse in the Cheshire village of Churton, as well as Wreck in Liverpool.

All we can say is thanks for the memories and the brilliant food.

Inside Gary Usher’s cosy new village boozer The White Horse at Churton
Kala may be closed but this nearby gem is still well worth the trip.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Food & Drink

First look at Zaap Thai as popular Thai street food restaurant opens in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A Thai street food restaurant with sites all over the North has finally announced plans to come to Manchester for the first time.

Zaap Thai is famed for its authentic and affordable street food-inspired menu, served up in restaurants designed to mimic the bustling street food markets of Bangkok.

Expect colourful fairy lights, illuminated signs, graffiti art, enamel crockery and even seating booths built into tuk tuks.

Zaap Thai already has locations in cities including Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham and Durham, but hasn’t made it into the North West before now.

It’s now set to open on Lincoln Square – where you’ll already find Maray – this June.

This new Zaap Thai location is set to be one its biggest venues to date, with 160 covers.

The expansive menu features 80 dishes from across Thailand, from street food small plates to big bowls of noodles and fiery curries.

Their menu highlights include chicken satay, crispy pork belly, stir-fries like Pad Ga Prao, and sweet dishes such as mango sticky rice and pandan custard pancakes.

That’s alongside Thai-inspired cocktails and mocktails, plus Thai lagers like Singha.

Ban Kaewkraikhot, founder and executive chef at Zaap said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Zaap Thai to Manchester. 

Inside Zaap Thai Manchester

Noodles at Zaap Thai Manchester
Food at Zaap Thai Manchester
Seafood at Zaap Thai Manchester
The Moo Deng mural
The Moo Deng mural
Noodles at Zaap Thai Manchester
Stir fries at Zaap Thai
Inside the new Zaap Thai
Inside the new Zaap Thai
Inside the new Zaap Thai
Inside the new Zaap Thai

“This is a city with a rich and diverse hospitality scene, and we’re delighted to be joining that fantastic community.

“Our mission is to share our authentic flavours of native Thailand with the city – we want to transport guests to sunny South East Asia by providing an amazing and affordable menu where you can try something new each time.

“Our restaurant is inspired by the places we love back home and everyone is welcome. We can’t wait to bring the Zaap experience to Manchester!”

Zaap Thai Manchester will open on Lincoln Square in on Thursday 26 June, with free pad thais or curries to the first 100 people in the queue from midday.

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

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