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 new world 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.

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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.

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

Man City star Ilkay Gundogan’s wife blasted after calling Manchester’s restaurants ‘horrible’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The wife of one of Manchester City‘s star players has come under fire after taking a hit at the city’s restaurants and branding them “horrible”.

Sara Arfaoui – who is the wife of Manchester City midfielder and club captain, İlkay Gündoğan – took to social media this week to give her opinion on Manchester‘s thriving, ever-expanding, and much-loved hospitality community in response to a fan who asked her to list some of her favourite places to grab a bite to eat in the city.

The model and TV presenter is known for being a keen foodie herself, so it’s no surprise that fans want to hear what she has to say about the food and drink scene in her new home city.

What does seem to have shocked people, though, is that she’s not really a fan of what’s on offer here.

In response to a question during a Q&A on her Instagram Stories yesterday, Sara explained: “Sorry… I’m sad to be honest but nothing.

“I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but… horrible food everywhere.

Ilkay Gundogan’s wife has received backlash after calling Manchester’s restaurants ‘horrible’ / Credit: Sara Gundogan (via Instagram)

“Can’t find a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food… everything frozen. Restaurants here are just focus on making money with drinks and shot like night clubs not quality food.

“Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing. I’m sorry.”

Given the fact that us Mancs don’t take too kindly to those hitting out our beloved city, Sara’s comments have been met with a wave of backlash from Manchester’s restaurant owners, leading industry figures, and legion of dedicated foodies – who have all hit back online with their own views throughout today, and have urged the public figure to reconsider what she said.

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Not only that, but renowned food critic Jay Rayner has even waded into the argument.

“This is a ludicrous point of view,” Rayner said.

“Manchester’s packed full of brilliant, independent restaurants. It’s an absolute gem of a place to eat and comments like this during difficult economic times are not helpful to businesses struggling to make ends meet.”

“I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but… horrible food everywhere.” / Credit: Sara Gundogan (via Instagram)

One local un-named restaurant owner apparently even contacted Sara herself to ask her to clarify some of the comments she made, according to reports in The Sun, saying: “There’s so many great restaurants in Manchester. I suggest you do research before you speak. And only because your husband is a footballer and you have money and you have everything probably paid for and a great life given to you here in Manchester.

“You should be grateful for that, instead of slagging off restaurants.”

At this challenge though, the 27-year-old model – who married the footballer earlier this year in May – likely didn’t give the response the restaurant owner was looking for, and deciding to double down on her comments, explaining: “So because we are successful people we can’t give an honest opinion?

“I tried all the best restaurants here but for me it’s a no. I can’t lie. Unfortunately I’m used to Italy so you can imagine it’s hard to compare.”

She did, however, add that Manchester is “a great city” with “great people” – but “not for restaurants.”

Featured Image – Sara Gundogan (via Instagram)

Food & Drink

One Plus Chinese restaurant crowned best in Manchester for third year running

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

A Chinese restaurant in Manchester has just been crowned the city’s best for the third year running.

One Plus in Manchester city centre revealed on Wednesday that it had taken home the gong for the Best Chinese Restaurant in Manhester at the Restaurant Guru awards for the third year in a row.

Sharing a picture of its award on social media, the restaurant wrote: “Thanks for this award. That’s 3 on the bounce taking this award for 2020, 2021 and now 2022.”

Commenting on having completed an award-winning hattrick in the ever-challenging post-Covid restaurant climate, the team continued, adding: “It’s not been easy and I don’t see it getting any easier but it’s nice to be recognised again.”

Image: One Plus
Image: One Plus

The Charles Street restaurant has won numerous awards since opening in the city in 2018, first drawing people in with the opportunity to cook their own hot pot dishes from a conveyor belt of different options.

Today, people go just as much for its excellent hot pot as they do for One Plus’s hand-stretched noodles, Chinese BBQ and rice dishes.

Read more: Grub is opening a ‘proper northern’ butty shop on First Street

Split across three levels, the restaurant offers something different from other Chinese eateries in Manchester with a rice and noodle bar in its basement, authentic Chinese BBQ and an a la carte seafood menu on the first floor, and Chinese hot pot on the ground floor.

As part of the Chinese BBQ experience, diners can keep their food hot or charred towards their preference via their own personal coal pit on their table.

Read more: Signs say ‘Instagrammable’ Manchester restaurant Boujee is closed for good

Elsewhere, the hot pot dining experience offers individual broths with food delivered from a ‘sushi style’ conveyor belt, so whatever catches your eyes, pop this into your tasty broth and eat when ready.

To find out more and book a table at One Plus, visit the restaurant’s website here.

Feature image – One Plus

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