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.
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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
Family behind Salvi’s launch new concept, weeks after iconic restaurant closure
Daisy Jackson
Just weeks after the closure of its iconic, 16-year-old Italian restaurant in the Corn Exchange, the family behind Salvi’s have revealed a brand-new concept.
And this time, the reins are being handed over to the next generation.
Salvi’s founder Maurizio Cecco has helped to shape Amò, but it’s all the brainchild of his daughter, Sienna.
Sienna will run the business out of a unit up on Deansgate Mews, serving fresh pasta dishes, pizza sandwiches, tubs of tiramisu, and two-for-£10 spritzes.
The deli aspect of the original Salvi’s has been carried over to Amò too – you’ll find shelves almost to the ceiling filled with Italian pasta, wine, olive oils, pistachio spreads, and more.
Sienna has grown up in restaurants, with her parents launching Salvi’s when she was just two years old.
She said she wants the space to be a livelier, fresher version of the Italian restaurant that has been so loved by Mancs for so many years.
Sienna outside AmòFresh pasta dishesInside Amò by Salvi’sTheir viral frozen crema di caffeLemon granitaInside Amò by Salvi’sTiramisu pots
Amò, which is Neapolitan slang for ‘my love’, will have loads of fresh Italian dishes, including arancini, gnocchi, and hearty pasta plates.
At lunchtimes, guests can order from a £10 lunch menu, with dishes changing daily depending on the best produce the kitchen can get – it could be a pizza sandwich with proscuitto and tomato, a spicy pasta, or a gnocchi bake, always served with your choice of soft drink.
With its position on Deansgate Mews, Amò basks in the sunshine at lunchtimes.
And while it’s definitely a different concept to the original Salvi’s, Amò looks set to carry the family’s Italian food legacy into its next generation.
Award-winning Didsbury bakery La Chouquette reveals incredible new site
Daisy Jackson
La Chouquette is one of Greater Manchester’s top bakeries – an award-winner, with queues down the street every weekend for its authentic French pastries and loaves.
And now they’re ready for a new chapter, revealing a major expansion today.
Owners Catrina and Flo have painstakingly expanded the bakery into the unit next door, creating what feels like a true French bakery.
And in the midst of this huge renovation project, they’ve welcomed a tiny new baby boy – quite the summer for the couple.
Catrina and Flo launched La Chouquette in lockdown, and in a time where people could only get their hospitality fix from takeaways, immediately became one of the most popular spots in the region.
Their success has been so great, you’ll still consistently find queues down the street every weekend, for their top sellers like their authentic almond croissants.
Then in October 2024, they grew the business and launched Piqniq, a new deli in Didsbury village, serving freshly-baked baguette sandwiches, breakfast butties, toasties, tiramisu pots and their legendary pastries.
The new-look La Chouquette features beautiful details like mosaic floors, rich blue walls, wooden shelves, and brass light fixtures.
La Chouquette’s best-selling almond croissantsInside the stunning new La Chouquette in DidbsuryNew savoury bakesThe chausson aux pommesThe counter stuffed with artisan French bakesChocolate chip cookies and cinnamon buns
The huge new counter displays more pastries and breads than ever before, like a hearty chausson aux pommes filled with apples that will be perfect for autumn, plus seasonal treats like a rhubarb creme brulee pastry, and homemade quiche.
Speaking at the grand relaunch today, Catrina said: “The layout has changed, it looks so much more chic, it looks like a traditional French bakery. We’re really excited about it.”
As for what’s on the counter, Flo reassured fans that their beloved almond and pistachio croissants remain, but with some new savoury editions, like a truffle croque monsieur made with croissant dough.
La Choquette has reopened today, and will be open seven days a week from 7am until 5pm.
Georgina Pellant -
6th July 2022 
