Lakeside dining domes reopen at Heaton Park for the summer
The dining domes were closed after 'senseless' vandals broke into them, but now they're returning for the summer season - with later opening times and a new evening picnic menu.
Afternoon tea fans can once again enjoy scones and finger sandwiches by the waterside as Heaton Park reopens its lakeside dining domes for the summer.
After being targeted by vandals during the spring, the newly-refurbished domes are back to help us enjoy a bit of the al fresco experience this summer – no matter what the Manchester weather decides to do with itself.
Set in the midst of beautiful parkland, the refurbished domes will once again serve up a range of afternoon teas alongside a soon-to-be-launched summer evening picnic menu to help you make the most of the lighter evenings.
Image: Supplied
With later bookings being made available up until 7pm, evening visitors will have the option to tuck into a new summer picnic package with scotch eggs and sausage rolls, chocolate-filled churros, molten Camembert and cauliflower mac & cheese, not to mention a glorious range of salads.
The private dome’s afternoon tea menus also return with several choices on offer, including a vegan tea, all carefully curated by Heaton Park Cafés to offer a mix of quintessential classics and reimagined takes on all-time favourites.
Each dome is fitted with shaded glazing and air conditioning, to keep you comfortable no matter what’s going on outside, with stunning views of the lake and park surroundings.
As for those who want to get out on the water and explore the lake and its scenic surroundings, Heaton Park Boats offer a range of hire boats, from the family-friendly Swan Pedal boats to traditional rowing and all-new Electric craft, for a more leisurely cruising experience.
The Dining Domes can seat up to six and children’s menus are also available.
The Afternoon Tea menus are £23.95 per person and served with a pot of English breakfast or speciality tea or regular hot drink, such as a barista-crafted coffee made with the unique Life Café Blend Coffee Beans.
Heaton Park is a historic area on the edge of Manchester and is the perfect setting for a family day out. There’s something for all ages with an Animal Centre to a Tram Museum, play areas, bowling greens and delicious food and drink options curated by The Stables Café and The Lakeside Café.
To make a reservation for Afternoon Tea please visit the Heaton Park cafes website here.
Feature image – Supplied
Food & Drink
Drake-backed fried chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The huge LA-based fried chicken brand backed by Drake is heading to Manchester for the very first time this summer.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open in the Printworks this August – the first UK branch outside of London and Birmingham.
The cult chicken brand has said that its new venue will feature an ‘industrial design inspired by Manchester’s rave scene’ (if we had a pound every time a new venue used that design style, we’d be as rich as Drake…).
Dave’s Hot Chicken is famed for its signature Nashville-style hot chicken, which is served in seven different spice levels from No Spice to Reaper.
Expect sliders, tenders, ‘next-level’ top-loaded shakes and slushes.
It’s grown so quickly that in 2021, it caught the eye of none other than rapper Drake, who is a ‘significant investor’ in the brand.
The fried chicken spot will be moving into the large corner unit at Printworks, which has previously been Busaba Thai, and Floripa, with 139 covers.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is coming to Manchester
Inside, it will feature towering ceilings, exposed steelwork, and laser lights, claiming to be a ‘full-on sensory trip, where music, light and fried chicken will come together to create a high-voltage experience’.
There will also be custom graffiti inspired by L.A.-based street artists Splatterhaus and Dehm.
Dave’s Hot Chicken still has hour-long queues down in London, several months after opening on Shaftesbury Avenue – next up will be a Birmingham branch in July before Manchester opens later this summer.
And this is just the start of a nationwide expansion.
Jim Attwood, Managing Director of Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Printworks Manchester is the ideal setting for our next UK site – right at the heart of one of the country’s most exciting cities.
“The new restaurant pays homage to Manchester’s legendary warehouse rave scene, with an industrial-inspired design and bold, high-energy atmosphere to match our signature flavours.
“We can’t wait to bring something fresh to this iconic venue and its vibrant mix of entertainment, food and culture.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken will open at Printworks Manchester on 8 August.
Burger King is giving away FREE vegan burgers to meat lovers to prove how ‘tasty’ they are
Emily Sergeant
Reckon you could swap out meat for a vegan alternative?
Now we know there’ll be droves of meat-lovers who read that question with their noses turned up, immediately dismissing the possibility that it would ever be something they’d consider… but what if we told you it was free?
That’s right – Burger King has announced that for the next week or so, it’ll be delivering its delicious Vegan Royale burgers to meat-loving customers for free, all with the aim of giving them a chance to experience just how tasty and satisfying plant-based foods can be, and prove that they won’t miss out by giving it a go.
The Vegan Royale is Burger King’s take on its legendary Chicken Royale burger, and sees a crispy vegan patty – that’s meant to be an alternative to chicken – topped with iceberg lettuce, vegan mayo, and crowned with a toasted sesame seed bun.
Burger King is giving away free vegan burgers to meat lovers to prove how ‘tasty’ they are / Credit: Burger King UK
The fast food chain‘s campaign is in partnership with The Vegetarian Butcher, and comes as shocking new research has revealed that more than 40% of meat eaters admit to having never tasted a plant-based burger.
On the other hand, that same research also found that the UK appears to eb embracing plant-based foods more than ever, as nearly 60% of the population say that are open to trying it.
67% of those who once thought plant-based food wasn’t for them say a great meat alternative burger was what changed their mind – so maybe this is what the Vegan Royale can be for you, if you’re willing to give it a chance.
So, to give hungry customers a taste of what the fuss is all about, Burger King will be offering anyone who orders on UberEats or Just Eat, with a minimum spend of £20, a Vegan Royale burger for free of charge along with the rest of their order.
Georgina Pellant -
6th July 2022 
