Manchester noodle queen Pippa Middlehurst (aka Pippy Eats) has revealed plans to open her long-anticipated Noodlehaus site on Ancoats Marina this year.
The cancer research scientist turned cook has developed quite a following in the city, hosting various sell-out dumpling and noodle-making workshops as well as pop-up supper clubs at different venues in Manchester over the past few years.
Since winning the BBC’s Britain’s Best Home Cook in 2018, she’s also gone on to publish a number of cookbooks, with her latest – Bowls & Broths – available to pre-order.
Pippa’s first book Dumplings and Noodles shows you how to make these hand-stretched biang biang noodles / Image: Pippy Eats
Now, Pippa’s revealed plans to move her restaurant concept into a brand new unit facing onto Ancoats Marina. Neighbouring much-loved bakery Pollen and the soon-to-open Flawd, a new concept from the team behind Higher Ground, Noodlehaus will certainly be in excellent company.
Noodlehaus will become a new home for her popular workshops, supper clubs and events, as well as selling cookware and kitchen equipment in its own dedicated section.
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It doesn’t seem like it will all be about Pippa, either. Rather, there has been mention of plans to bring in other local independents to host their own workshops and supper clubs here as a way of championing other small foodie businesses in the city.
The new Noodlehaus will be home to Pippa’s popular cookery workshops as well as a home for dining in / Image: Pippy Eats / Giuliamar Photography
Pippa’s plans to open a restaurant of her own have been on the cards for some time, but between the pandemic and issues with the initial unit, everything has been somewhat delayed and frustrated – up until now, that is.
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She initially set up a Kickstarter last year to raise funds for the space and smashed her initial £30,000 target out of the water – eventually raising nearly £45,000 from over 800 different backers after pledging some amazing rewards like a private six-course supper club for ten cooked by Pippa and a year’s supply of her famous chilli oils.
Now, after some setbacks (and stress), she’s finally in her new unit fitting it out with a potential opening date planned for September.
Design for the new space has been completed by the all-female team at No Chintz / Image: No Chintz
Sharing the news about her new home on the Noodlehaus Instagram, Pippa said: “Thank you all so much for your patience, it’s been a tough old year.” “Even though it’s been a really stressful time, it kinda feels like everything happened for a reason, and in the exact right timing.
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“The repeated extensions of lockdown preventing us from opening so I didn’t end up hosting any events in that space. The new space coming onto the market at the precise time I realised it was time to get the F out of the old space, and when I reached out to the developers, they were familiar with the Noodlehaus project and welcomed me with open arms.
Pippy Eats is just as known for her dumplings as she is her noodles / Image: Pippy Eats
“The new space being part of a small community of indie businesses, some of which are friends. Everything has fallen into place so perfectly, is somebody watching over me?! “I’m guilty of being too trusting, too optimistic. But I feel grateful I followed my gut when it was time and that lockdown allowed me that grace period. “The old space, the stress involved, the nightmare that it ended up being, was only experienced by me – and it will all fade from my memory and will not be remembered as part of the Noodlehaus journey. I’m grateful for that too. “I’m so so bloody excited [sic].”
With a provisional opening date of September currently on the cards, there’s definitely a lot to look forward to.
To keep up to date with developments in the lead up to the launch, you can follow Noodlehaus on Instagram here.
New two-storey Latin BBQ restaurant, bar, and music venue Dahlia opens in the Northern Quarter
Lydia Mastrolonardo
The Northern Quarter has welcomed a huge two-storey Latin BBQ restaurant, bar and music venue, brought to you by the same team behind Manchester’s beloved Firehouse and Ramona – you just know it’s going to be good with names like that.
Taking over the site formerly home to Pie & Ale, Dahlia has a few different concepts under one roof, but don’t let that confuse you too much.
Up first is Barbacoa Cósmica, an open-fire grill kitchen, with cooking inspired by Latin America and the southern states of America. As the Northern Quarter’s first open fire grill kitchen, guests will have the unique experience of being able to watch the chefs in action, from their kitchen counter seats.
The concept is the product of years of travelling across Latin America, exploring regional recipes and techniques, then condensed down to allow us to take a road trip from San Diego to Jalisco, Mexico City to Oaxaca, all from the comfort of our seats.
Dahlia is also be home to Bar Más Bonita, translating to ‘most beautiful bar’, a lively Liquorita serving up all sorts of Latin American specialties – think vibrant, handcrafted cocktails and salted rims with tequila, mezcal, rum and Latin spirits.
In the evenings, the space will transform into Dahlia Stereo, an intimate two-storey music space powered by a bespoke Hatchett Sound system.
Every element of the venue has been carefully considered by sound engineers and acoustic specialists, including Jonny ‘Oppo’ of Neuron Audio, to ensure the best listening experience possible.
Dahlia in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc Group
Jonny “Oppo” said: “We have been building and working with sound systems for years, but Manchester’s bars and restaurants have never had an installation at this level. Every detail of the room has been designed around how music should sound and feel. It is genuinely exciting for the city.”
In addition to this, the iconic Jonjo Williams of Maribou State and Rich Reason of Hit & Run, have carefully curated a music programme for September to give us a flavour of what’s to come, including sets from Gilles Peterson, Quantic, Gia Fu, DJ Die and Joey T.
With craft being central to the space, almost every element has been made by hand by the Dahlia team and its team of trusted independent artisans and specialist suppliers. From the artwork and upholstery, to the world class sound system and the team’s own bottled Latin spirits, it truly has all been carefully thought through.
To celebrate its launch, Dahlia is offering 50% off the food bill while the new team trains and gets up to speed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays in September, before 9pm, when you book a table and follow @dahliastereo on instagram.
Brilliant Saddleworth restaurant shares statement after devastating fire that brought village to a standstill
Daisy Jackson
A brilliant restaurant in Saddleworth has been left ‘badly damaged’ after a huge blaze ripped through it yesterday afternoon.
Hot Duck in Uppermill, a modern Chinese establishment tucked above a takeaway, said that the fire on Sunday 6 September has been ‘devastating’.
Both Hot Duck and Hei Hei, which share a building on the village’s high street, will be closed for the foreseeable future.
But in a statement, Hot Duck said they will ‘do everything we can to come back stronger’.
They reassured customers that everyone is safe following the blaze.
Six fire engines from across Greater Manchester scrambled to the fire yesterday, with High Street closed while emergency services attended.
Locals were asked to avoid the area on Sunday evening.
Hot Duck said in a statement: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out over the last 24 hours. As many of you know, our restaurant has suffered a devastating fire affecting our whole building.
Inside Hot Duck in Uppermill before the fireHot Duck’s incredible dim sum
“Thankfully, everyone is safe, and for that, we’re incredibly grateful. We are still processing what comes next.
“It’s heartbreaking to see something we’ve worked so hard on over the years so badly damaged.
“The kindness, messages, calls, and offers of help mean more than we can put into words. To our customers, friends, neighbors, suppliers, and the wider community, thank you. Your support has given us hope at a time we really needed it.
“For now, the restaurant will remain closed while we begin the long process of rebuilding. It won’t be easy, but we will do everything we can to come back stronger. We’ll keep you updated. We will be back.”
Georgina Pellant -
13th August 2021 
