The eye-catching “Instagrammable” pink restaurant that popped up in the heart of the city centre last summer is to move into a permanent home in Spinningfields.
Having successfully launched its first restaurant in Birmingham in early 2020, 202 Kitchen appeared as a pop-up in a vacant plot on Bridge Street last August – November, filling the space with pink blooms, neon signs, and a life-size Barbie box, as well as several photo backdrops – and now, after “testing the concept” and outgrowing the space, the brand has secured a large permanent site nearby to launch a flagship restaurant and bar.
The vibrant interiors of 202 Kitchen quickly made it a favourite of social media savvy millennials and the launch of the new venue will take their concept to a new level.
The owners have committed to investing £1 million into the new space.
The Manc Group
Situated on Leftbank in the heart of Spinningfields, the huge 7000 sq ft venue will overlook the River Irwell and provide 200 covers to give guests the option to enjoy outdoor waterside cocktails, or the iconic lavish pink surroundings.
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The Manchester site – which will be formed by knocking together the two restaurant spaces previously occupied by Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Zizzi to create a huge new venue – will now become 202 Kitchen’s flagship hub, after the brand’s former home on Bridge Street has now been taken over by Real Housewives of Cheshire star Lystra Adams, who has launched her Boujee concept in the site.
The new 202 Kitchen will create over 100 hospitality jobs in the process and bring with it “deliciously indulgent food”, an atmosphere like no other, and an enclosed outdoor area designed for all weathers, set against the backdrop it’s become most known for.
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The menu will showcase “colourful cultural foods”, such as mac’n’cheese, waffles, fried chicken, burgers, grilled seafood, and more.
The Manc Group
Speaking ahead of the opening of 202 Kitchen, the brand’s Directors Leon Beckford, Panikos Myrritis and John Sambo, said: “We are looking to move out of lockdown by making significant moves and the future looks bright for 202 Kitchen.
“Having successfully tested our concept in two cities during a difficult year for the hospitality sector, we are now perfectly placed to expand our operations, starting with Manchester.
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“We can’t wait to reveal our plans for the fit out.”
202 Kitchen is set to open its doors at the end of June, and you can register for priority reservations via the website here.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Food & Drink
The Salmon of Knowledge pub is opening a second site in Didsbury
Danny Jones
A recent addition to the Manchester hospitality scene is building on its early success and opening up another Irish bar over in Didsbury.
Northern Quarter’s Salmon of Knowledge, which launched back in September 2024, is one of countless Irish pubs across Greater Manchester but only a handful in the vibrant district.
Having taken over the much-loved old PLY site – which sadly closed its doors last summer – they had a job on their hands to reach the same heights as the legendary late-night pizza and shuffleboard joint, but these first few months have clearly gone well enough to expand.
The increasingly popular watering hole which is one of the few places around here where you can get Murphy’s (at least in the city centre) is much more than just an Irish-themed venue: it delivers regular live music, sports on the box and great food from local brand, The Last Stop – and Didsbury is up next.
Irish favourite The Salmon of Knowledge’s sister bar comes to Didsbury later this year. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
The caption goes on to read: “Big news, Didsbury. You called and we answered. The Salmon of Knowledge is swimming upstream to bring our second site to YOU very soon!
“By popular demand, we are expanding to the suburbs, so get ready for live music, great food, live sports, and gallons of Guinness. You heard it here first… stay tuned!”
As well as a wide variety of beverages beyond the obviously stunning stouts, fans will be glad to hear the Salmon will be bringing The Last Stop’s talents with them.
From the aesthetic, prices and drinks selection to the reliable New York influences on the Heaton Chapel-based vendor’s menu, we’ve been pretty big fans of this place since minute one.
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Although they are yet to give any more information as to when we can expect The Salmon of Knowledge Didsbury to open at present, we do have an indication of where it will be popping up.
It has now been confirmed that they will be taking over the former Dockyard pub (which still has locations in Salford Quays and Spinningfields), meaning that it will sit in the heart of the busy Didsbury Village strip, which should prove great for footfall.
Just like the Stevenson Square spot, live music and sports will accompany Didsbury’s new Irish bar as well and if the phrase ‘gallons of Guinness’ doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.
New pasta kitchen Soots Pasta opens at Altrincham Market
Daisy Jackson
A little piece of pasta paradise has landed at Altrincham Market and it’s got a secret you won’t believe.
Soots Pasta has taken on a spot in the covered market, where owners and co-founders Ellie Proudfoot and Ruth Duarte are hand-making fresh pasta dishes.
They’ve named this fantastic little kitchen after their cocker spaniel, Soots.
Signature dishes here include a satisfying swirl of thick ravioli, stuffed with ricotta and served on a bed of pumpkin puree and sage butter.
There’s also a vibrant green pesto tagliatelle, laced with basil, lemon and pistachio.
As for small plates, there’s freshly-made focaccia with three different butters, plus crunchy tomato arancini.
Soots Pasta is the first solo venture for Ellie, who used to work as a private chef as well as at restaurants around the region.
Soots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc GroupSoots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc Group
She’s taken her background – which includes culinary school in France – to create this modern European menu that takes inspiration from Italy.
What’s not immediately obvious, on reading the menu or eating it, is that everything on the Soots Pasta menu is entirely vegan – and they have gluten-free pasta available on request.
The pair hope that Altrincham Market will be a launchpad to them eventually opening their first restaurant, as it’s done for so many businesses that came before it.
Soots Pasta is on Pott Street in the covered market, and is open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14 January.
Emily Sergeant -
27th April 2021 
