A new ‘haute couture’ burger bar is planning to open its first UK restaurant in Manchester.
Called The Butcher, it will join as a part of the new entertainment complex Urban Playground – billed as a ‘revolutionary new entertainment venue in Manchester’ and will be located close to Selfridges on the top floor of the Arndale.
In what promises to be a UK first, popular European burger chain The Butcher will join the new complex in the Arndale to deliver its food offering.
Starting off with a secret kitchen called KIQ (Keep It Quiet) in Amsterdam, prior to its launch in Manchester the brand has opened a number of high-end burger bars in Holland, Germany and Ibiza.
Image: The Butcher
Known for its high-end “haute couture” take on fast food, The Butcher promises to bring something a little different to the Arndale’s – and Urban Playground’s – food offering.
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Committed to serving what they bill as the “world’s best beef burgers”, The Butcher prepares all of its components in-house, on the day, using prime Aberdeen Angus beef in its hand-shaped patties.
Burger buns and signature sauces are also freshly made on-site, whilst further produce – ranging from herbs to vegetables – promises to be the freshest available.
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Image: The Butcher
Bringing its global signatures along with it, hungry Mancs will be able to tuck into the likes of babganoush, avocado and truffle-laden burgers, alongside more kooky options like ‘The Benedict’ – a brunch-style burger loaded with hollandaise sauce, ham and a fried egg.
Elsewhere, veggies and vegans will find plant-powered buns like the Veggie and Vegan Delights, both combining fried mash chickpea patties with herbs, spices, lettuce, tomato, grilled onion and sesame paste. Vegan cheese is available as an extra, or cheddar for veggies.
As for drinks, think signature milkshakes and some boozy options too – like a ‘dark rum ‘n’ chocolate’ milkshake, which puts a milky twist on the signature dark and stormy.
It will be opening within Urban Playground, which promises to be an “ultimate entertainment destination” and will bring an exclusive preview of ITV‘s The Cube Live experience to Manchester in what promises to be a world first.
The new entertainment complex will feature exciting games from the award-winning show, alongside a new crazy mini gold extravaganza with ‘unique technology’ called Putters.
Image: Urban Playground
Speaking on the new opening, Butcher founder and co-owner Yossi Eliyahoo says: “As a creative concept developer, I envision and feel the places I design before they actually exist.
“We knew that the UK was the next stop for our international expansion plans, and Manchester truly is a global hotspot.
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“A city that is constantly evolving with many exciting happenings that command worldwide attention. This is the perfect city for our first UK concept, and it had to be The Butcher that we launched – it’s fast, it’s sleek, it’s modern, but quality is never compromised.”
There are worse ways to spend a day than sitting around drinking wine – but at The Manchester Wine School, you can actually come away knowing what you’re talking about too.
The team here can talk you through the very basics up to the finer points of wine, so you can impress at your next dinner party or confidently pick up the heavy wine list on a date.
If you’re wondering what it’s like to go back to school as an adult, where the main subject is wine, let us fill you in (and fill your glass, while we’re at it).
We headed along to take on the WSET Level 1 Award in Wines, a one-day introduction to the world of wine designed specifically for people with little-to-no previous knowledge. So, thankfully, there’s absolutely no expectation that you’ll arrive knowing your Chardonnay from your Chablis.
The day takes you right back to basics, starting with how grapes are grown and what actually happens during the winemaking process. You learn how different climates affect grapes, how white, red and rosé wines are produced, and why all those little differences eventually have such a big impact on what ends up in your glass.
Then, obviously, comes the fun bit – drinking wine the tasting and pairing.
Rather than simply deciding whether you like something or not, you’re taught how to properly taste wine, looking at its appearance before moving onto aromas, sweetness, acidity, tannins, alcohol, body and flavours. Suddenly, swirling your glass and having a good sniff feels considerably less pretentious when you actually know what you’re looking for.
You’ll also get familiar with some of the big-name grapes – think Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir – as well as wines like Champagne, Prosecco, Rioja, Chianti and Port.
There’s even a section on food pairing, explaining how things like sweetness, salt, acidity, fat and chilli can completely change the way a wine tastes.
It’s informative without feeling intimidating, and genuinely fascinating even if you’ve never taken wine particularly seriously before.
The day finishes with a 30-question multiple-choice exam, with 70% needed to pass – meaning you can leave not only considerably more knowledgeable about wine, but potentially with an internationally recognised WSET qualification under your belt too.
Whether you’re looking to gain knowledge to enhance your career or just want to have a fun afternoon finding a bit more out about what you do and don’t like, this is the course for you.
A new Southeast Asian BBQ restaurant has opened on a Manchester rooftop with jaw-dropping city views
Clementine Hall
Say hello to Sister Moon, a beautiful new restaurant bringing a taste of Southeast Asia to Manchester city centre.
It’s the latest addition to Manchester’s Treehouse Hotel, which opened last year transforming a huge building at the end of Deansgate.
This is the final chapter of its new opening, and it might be our favourite one yet.
Sister Moon is the new project from acclaimed chef Sam Grainger who you’ll know from Madre, among others.
Images: The Manc
Sam is working alongside Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (Electric Chair, Volta, Freight Island) at Sister Moon, a Southeast Asian BBQ concept inspired by his time cooking with a local family in Thailand.
All the dishes are cooked on open fire, including dishes like the fried pork skewers with banana ketchup and the grilled prawns with crispy chilli and garlic.
Image: The Manc
Elsewhere on the menu you’ll find stars like the crispy pork belly and pomelo salad as well as the slow cooked lamb jungle curry (warning, this one’s got a kick).
Looking for something lighter? There’s dishes like the smacked cucumber and the cold soba noodle salad that make for the perfect lunch option.
Images: The Manc
And it’s not just Sister Moon which has opened on the 14th floor of the Treehouse Hotel, also now open is The Nest, a new signature bar with panoramic views of Manchester that will be a destination for late-night drinks and social occasions.
Just up the stairs is also The Hideout – an intimate rooftop lounge and event space designed for private hire.
Kick off your evening with a drink in The Nest before making your way for a flavour-packed dinner at Sister Moon – all whilst enjoying jaw-dropping views of the city.
Sister Moon, The Nest, and The Hideout will officially open on Saturday 5 September, and you can find out more here.
Georgina Pellant -
1st February 2022 
