Food & Drink

Northern Quarter burger bar Solita is reopening as a mediterranean charcoal grill

Pupa will serve a mix of Mediterranean grill dishes alongside some of Solita’s hit dirty burgers from year’s past

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 22nd August 2022

A new Mediterranean-style restaurant is opening inside the old Solita unit in Northern Quarter this week, breathing new life into the former dirty burger favourite.

Called Pupa, it will bring a host of charcoal grill dishes to the neighbourhood under the stewardship of new owner Armando Pupa, a 27-year-old chef originally hailing from Albania.

But that’s not all. As well as promising a host of charcoal-blackened meat and veg, Pupa will also serve a range of wines made by Armando’s uncles back home.

Elsewhere, diners will find a selection of more ‘English-style’ burgers and sharing platters, as well as some of Solita’s famous American-style burgers, which have been added to the menu in a nod to the site’s longstanding history as one of Manchester’s original burger dens.

Pupa is opening in the old Solita site. Credit: Instagram, @pupa.restaurant

Chef owner Armando has built up plenty of experience as a head grill chef, working for a number of years at different restaurants in and around the city.

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Now, he is branching out on his own, taking over the iconic Northern Quarter site with his very own Mediterranean-inspired concept.

He has also re-fitted the kitchen so that he will not need to use electricity or gas, cleverly side-stepping the energy bill rises affecting many operators as we head into the colder months.

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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News about the new opening, he said: “I’m from Albania so I’m trying to match that with an English style — with burgers and sharing platters.

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“We have made a few changes. We will not use electricity or gas at all.“We will have lots of meat and veg on the grill, and steaks as well. I’ve been a chef since I moved to the UK, and when I was at uni I was always cooking.

“I started cooking with my mum, but it was my auntie who said I should work in restaurants.”

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The new opening follows the news that Solita bosses has sadly closed all seven of its UK restaurants.

However, with every cloud comes a silver lining, as it appears that die hard Solita fans can still enjoy a taste of their favourite dirty burgers at Pupa when it opens its doors this week.

Featured image: Instagram, @pupa.restaurant

Food & Drink

Neighbourhood favourite Sale Foodhall announces shock closure with ‘heavy heart’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Sale Foodhall

Sale Foodhall, one of the first independent businesses to open in the redeveloped Stanley Square, has announced its shock closure.

The Trafford business blended a convenience store, where shoppers could pick up their basic groceries as well as items produced by local suppliers, with a food hall space hosting a rotation of street food operators.

Sale Foodhall is part of the Store Group, which also operates Ancoats General Store, Stretford Food Hall, and Deansgate Square General Store.

The group quickly earned themselves the title of ‘Manchester’s coolest corner shops’ and have been praised for revitalising town centres around the region.

But in a statement shared today, Sale Foodhall said that the ‘unprecedented cost increases’ over the last year have pushed it to closure, with its last day of trading named as 2 April 2023.

The statement wrote that it had been ‘tough to let it go’ and is now focused on ‘keeping our colleagues in jobs’.

Sale Foodhall first opened as a Groceries and Beer site in 2019, before expanding and relaunching as a food hall concept in 2021.

In its statement, the business shared: “Dear all – An update to share regarding our wonderful Sale Foodhall…

“After facing unprecedented cost increases over the last 12 months, we are unable to keep the business moving forward sustainably. Sadly, we have made the decision that Sale Foodhall will close. We will be trading up to and including the 2nd April 2023.

“We share this news with a heavy heart. It is really tough at the moment for hospitality businesses, independent businesses, retailers, makers – everyone really! We know that you, our guests and followers, are feeling it too and we’re sorry that we couldn’t keep serving you in Sale.

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“As one of the first independent businesses to arrive in Stanley Square, it’s been wonderful to be a part of the journey of the town so far. We have become so invested – it’s tough to let it go but we have not been able to find a way forward. Rising costs, especially in terms of power, have proved insurmountable for us here in Sale. We take with us warm memories of Groceries & Beer and witnessing the transformation of the mall!

“Our priority is to keep our colleagues in jobs and so we’re focussed on that right now. Our Stretford Foodhall remains open.

“We’d like to thank all the talented traders, makers, creators and everyone else who has been part of our story in Sale. And especially our customers who have welcomed us into the community from day one. Warm thanks to all the team at Stanley Square who have supported our journey since we met in 2019.

“Wishing all our neighbours and fellow businesses the best – Onwards and upwards – to everyone.”

Featured image: Sale Foodhall

Food & Drink

Yara, the family-run Syrian and Lebanese restaurant serving Manchester for fifteen years

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

Take a trip down to the Stockport village of Cheadle and you’ll find a surprising glut of great Middle Eastern eateries nestled on the Cheshire border.

Amongst them sits Yara, a family-run Syrian and Lebanese restaurant that’s been serving Manchester for fifteen years.

First opened in Altrincham in 2008, today it has five sites across Greater Manchester – all serving up traditional Middle Eastern favourites like succulent kebabs, crispy donut-shaped falafels, and fluffy pittas with flavourful homemade dips.

A table full of gorgeous Lebanese and Syrian food at Yara. / Image: The Manc Eats
Mixed kebab on the grill at Yara. / Image: The Manc Eats

With further restaurants in Whitefield, Chorlton, Cheadle and Alderley Edge, it’s clear that people just can’t get enough – so we made the trip down to see what all the fuss is about.

Suffice it to say, after tasting their sharp and citrussy babaganoush, stuffed vine leaves, and tabbouleh – a super fresh herb and bulgur salad dominated by parsley – we fell head over heels just like the rest.

Read more: Beloved Jamaican street food shop Eat n’ Sweet under threat as building sold

Yara is a haven for those on the hunt for some finger-licking Middle Eastern goodness, with vegetarian starters like charcoal-grilled halloumi and creamy pots of homemade hummus pooled with rich olive oil sitting alongside crunchy pastry treats.

These include chicken or cheese and spinach bourak (often referred to as Assyrian or Middle Eastern egg rolls), lahembajeen – filo pastry topped with minced lamb, pomegranate sauce, pine kernels and onions – and mossahab, a chicken-stuffed puff pastry with added onion and herbs.

Potato kibbeh at Yara. / Image: The Manc Eats
Crispy donut falafel rings at Yara. / Image: The Manc Eats

As for the main attraction: the meaty charcoal grill. This, more than anything else, is what we really came down for. At Yara, tender cuts of lamb and chicken come rich with Mediterranean spices and herbs, whilst lamb kebabs come in the shish, shawarma and kafta varieties.

Read more: Karen’s Diner hit with zero food hygiene rating following inspection

Ultimately, we opt for the mixed kebab – a combination of succulent chicken and lamb, plus lamb kofta – alongside Yara’s special rice and extra pitta.

Honestly, it’s not hard to see why these restaurants have been a fixture in Manchester for so long.

To see the full menu click here and to find out more about Yara restaurants head over to their Instagram page here.

Oh, and to save on your next Deliveroo order from Yara make sure to use our code 5OFFATYARA when you check out.

Feature image – The Manc Eats

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