Food & Drink

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.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 6th July 2022

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. 

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Read more: Inside Canvas, Manchester’s new late-night bar, restaurant and music venue

Image: Supplied

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.

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Read more: Scenic lakeside dining domes open for afternoon tea at Heaton Park

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

Award-winning Northern Quarter restaurant announces shock closure with most heartbreaking statement yet

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

One of the Northern Quarter’s best restaurants and bars has announced its shock closure, adding to a tidal wave of hospitality casualties. 

Cocktail Beer Ramen and Bun – better known to most of us as CBRB – announced the news this evening with a frank and heartbreaking statement. 

In it, the late-night Oldham Street business outlined the ‘massive financial strain’ it’s been facing, describing the obstacles that are ‘affecting everyone in the hospitality industry right now’. 

CBRB stressed the staggering costs of goods and the doubling of energy bills as the ‘massive factors’ that have forced their hand. 

They wrote: “It breaks our heart to have to make this decision and please know, it has not come lightly or without months of deliberation, meetings and rescue plans.

“Countless discussions about a way out of the sh*t that wouldn’t end up coming to this.”

CBRB
CBRB. Credit: The Manc Group
CBRB
CBRB. Credit: The Manc Group
CBRB
CBRB. Credit: The Manc Group

CBRB, which specialises in huge steaming bowls of ramen, delicious small plates and award-winning cocktails, took the time to thank all the customers who have supported the hugely popular independent restaurant over the years. 

They also urged people to get out and support their local favourites before it’s too late, writing: “We can guarantee they’ll need it. So many amazing ideas and talented businesses in our industry are struggling and closing almost every day now and they need your help.” 

CBRB’s final day will be this Sunday, with bookings and walk-ins operating as normal.

CBRB’s statement in full

This is probably the hardest thing we’ve ever had to write. The worst news we’ve ever had to deliver.

This Sunday will be our last. 

The last noodle pull. The last blue drink. The last dinner service.

We want to be as honest with you as possible. After all, it’s you lot that make this place what it is and it’s you who have kept us going as long as we have. 

CBRB wouldn’t be where it is today without your amazing love + support over the last 4 years… 

The business has been under massive financial strain, that we have unfortunately been unable to pull ourselves out of. The obstacles that have been affecting everyone in the hospitality industry right now. The cost of goods sky rocketing. Energy bills more than doubling. They’re all massive factors and they’ve all made it extremely difficult to continue doing what we love, without compromising on quality. 

It breaks our heart to have to make this decision and please know, it has not come lightly or without months of deliberation, meetings and rescue plans. Countless discussions about a way out of the sh*t that wouldn’t end up coming to this.

So for now we just want to thank you. For making this tiny little kitchen and bar become something way bigger than we ever imagined. For making coming to work the last 4 years so much fun. For all the lovely messages, the constant support, for bringing your friends and sharing the love for the food we create. 

Thank you for supporting your local Girl Gang. But for now, it’s over.

If we can leave anything behind it’s this. Go and support your local independent bar! 

Eat out at your favourite family owned restaurants. Order that takeaway from your local small business. Because we can guarantee they’ll need it. So many amazing ideas and talented businesses in our industry are struggling and closing almost every day now and they need your help.

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Bookings and walk ins will operate as normal this week and we’ll keep on slinging the noods and pouring the drinks until the second we have to leave. 

2018 – 2023 

This week will be a bittersweet one. Come see us for a drink.

Big love, Team CBRB x

Featured image: The Manc Group

Food & Drink

Selfridges to open Louboutin bar with cocktails inspired by its iconic £700 shoes

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

A new bar inspired by Christian Louboutin’s infamous red-soled shoes is set to open in Selfridges, Manchester Trafford, this year.

Offering a spin on classic cocktails such as the Cosmopolitan alongside some bespoke creations, it will be located in the accessories hall on the lower level of the department store opposite the new Christian Louboutin boutique.

Running for a limited time only, Loubibar celebrates the arrival of the swanky boutique where the designer’s latest Spring collection of signature shoes and accessories are now on display.

At the cocktail bar, shoppers can enjoy bespoke cocktail creations including the Rouge Follies (a spin on the classic Cosmopolitan), the Loubifunk (mixing gin with aromatic notes of cherry and zesty limes) and the amusingly named Loubidoo (a ‘transportive’ cocktail laced with coconuts and lime).

Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied

The 360 bar itself is resplendent in Christian Louboutin’s signature red, with plush red stools and menus, and will serve bespoke red cocktails inspired by the French fashion house, which was first established in Paris over 30 years ago.

First launching in 1992 with a collection for women, swiftly followed by a men’s collection a few years later, its signature red lacquered sole makes the shoes instantly recognisable wherever they go.

2014 welcomed Christian Louboutin Beauté, while in, 2022 the House launched a new category dedicated to Kids and Pets: The LoubiFamily.

Favoured by the likes of the Kardashians and Cardi B, as well as Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, they’ve long been considered an iconic symbol of style and quality craftsmanship.

Read more: An award-winning pie and mash cafe is opening in Manchester

With a prolific collection of shoes, leather goods and accessories, Christian Louboutin now counts more than 150 points of sales around the world. 

The new bar’s design incorporates the brand’s playful wit and charm, with the Loubibar itself topped with a lit sign that nods to the decor often seen in Parisian brasseries.

Read more: Two Manchester cocktail bars named amongst the top 10 in the country

Seating is available around the bar as well as a number of booths all featuring textiles complimenting the adjacent Christian Louboutin boutique, the new cocktail bar is open for a limited time only.

Located in the accessories hall on the lower level, it celebrates the new Christian Louboutin boutique where the designer’s latest Spring collection of signature shoes and accessories are available.

Feature image – Supplied

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