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Food & Drink

You can eat Christmas dinner on a retro steam train travelling through Greater Manchester

Fancy and festive.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 1st October 2024
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Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is back with one of the most festive fine-dining experiences in the region this Christmas.

It’s no secret that East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is known and loved for its immersive events, giving rail enthusiasts and curious Mancs the chance to step back in time by hopping on board one of the historic Pullman-style carriages through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside, but it gets even more magical at Christmas.

Every time the festive season rolls around, it always tends to be ELR’s beloved Santa steam trains that grab headlines more, as the event has gone on to become an absolute Christmas classic for families in the North West over the years.

But especially for the grown-ups, how does getting the chance to tuck into a luxury Christmas dinner onboard the retro locomotive sound instead?

East Lancashire Railway’s festive ‘Dining with Distinction’ experiences are back this Christmas / Credit: ELR

ELR’s unique ‘Dining with Distinction’ package is known to be a fan-favourite all year round, but this December, the festive edition of this experience is back once again by popular demand for another year, and passengers can enjoy their Christmas dinner whilst taking in the seasonal sights of the stunning Irwell Valley.

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You’ll be onboard one of ELR’s restored Pullman-style steam train carriages, boasting the most luxurious furnishing and polished panels to provide the perfect atmosphere for a sumptuous festive feasting dining experience.

Upon boarding, you’ll be presented with sparkling welcome drink to kick-off the festivities, all before you’re served up four courses of festive delicacies.

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Traditional roasted turkey served with kilted chipolata and stuffing, a festive wellington, tender sirloin of beef with horseradish, a homemade Christmas pudding with rum sauce, and a warm sticky toffee pudding with custard, are just some of the dishes being served by personal dedicated waters on selected dates throughout the month.

A wide range of dietary requirements can be catered for, including vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, halal, and diabetic.

The Christmas Dinner services are running on selected dates from Friday 29 November – Monday 23 December, with tickets now on sale and setting you back £69 per person.

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Boarding will start at 7:15pm for a 7:30pm departure, and the journey lasts just under three hours, with guests returning to the station at 10:15pm. 

Book yourself some tickets here.

Featured Image – East Lancashire Railway

Food & Drink

Plans to turn Stockport pyramid into Indian restaurant take MAJOR step forward

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Royal Nawaab will turn Stockport pyramid into a curry house. Credit: Supplied
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The vision for Stockport pyramid’s new life as an Indian restaurant and banquet hall has taken a big step forward today – and we finally have CGIs to help bring it all to life.

Royal Nawaab has now been granted planning permission to convert the landmark building into a luxurious restaurant and banquet hall, set to open early next year.

Royal Nawaab has a couple of restaurants in London and is now setting its sights on the north, aiming to create its ‘biggest and most luxurious destination to date’.

The epic project will be geared up to host parties, banquets and huge events.

There are lavish refurbishment plans for the former office building, which looms over the M60.

When it opens, there’ll be a 350-capacity restaurant on the ground floor, plus three premium banquet facilities ranging between 150 and 700 covers.

News of Royal Nawaab’s takeover of the Stockport Pyramid broke last year and the curry house was initially tipped for a 2024 opening, but it seemed like things had stalled until this major step forward.

CGIs shared today show that the Stockport Pyramid will be transformed with luxury details like gold ceilings, marble floors and chandeliers.

Royal Nawaab will turn Stockport pyramid into a curry house. Credit: Supplied
Royal Nawaab will turn Stockport pyramid into an Indian restaurant and banquet hall. Credit: Supplied

Mahboob Hussain of Royal Nawaab said: “Living close to Stockport, the Pyramid has always been an iconic symbol of the town for me. It is unique and we are thrilled to be bringing Royal Nawaab Manchester.

“This is definitely not ‘a curry house’. Royal Nawaab will be a destination and will attract visitors from across the UK and beyond to experience the best cuisine in the most stunning of settings.

“The attention to detail is incredible, and I personally have been involved in the plans throughout. It is a dream come true, and I know that anyone that visits will be in awe.”

Cllr Colin Macalister, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “We’re thrilled to see the iconic Stockport Pyramid brought back to life with the fantastic Royal Nawaab joining our community! It’s an exciting addition to Stockport’s vibrant food and drink scene, all within one of our town’s most prominent landmarks.

A glimpse inside Royal Nawaab Indian restaurant at Stockport pyramid. Credit: Supplied
A glimpse inside Royal Nawaab Indian restaurant at Stockport pyramid. Credit: Supplied
Royal Nawaab will totally transform the landmark building into a luxury restaurant and banquet hall. Credit: Supplied
Royal Nawaab will totally transform the landmark building into a luxury restaurant and banquet hall. Credit: Supplied

“Bringing 150 new jobs and working with local suppliers, Royal Nawaab’s arrival is a strong vote of confidence in Stockport’s future as our £1 billion town centre regeneration continues to take shape. We can’t wait to see the Pyramid open its doors again and warmly welcome Royal Nawaab to Stockport.”

Fozia Alharby of Eamar Developments expressed, “Dr. Abdullah Alnaeem, the owner, is delighted to announce that Royal Nawaab will open at the Pyramid in 2025.

“As long-time admirers of the brand and its legacy in the South, we are honoured to play a role in bringing this exceptional destination to Stockport.

“We are delighted to be a part of this project, which will create a premium experience that we believe will resonate with visitors from across the UK and beyond.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Food & Drink

Foldies – Popular Manchester pizza joint to open ‘the world’s greatest sandwich shop’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The team behind Brewski are opening a sandwich shop called Foldies. Credit: Brewski
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The team behind Manchester’s much-loved Brewski and American Pies have announced a brand-new concept.

They’re claiming that Foldies, which is opening in the city centre later this month, will be ‘the world’s greatest sandwich shop’.

The team are already the proud creators of Brewski, home of outrageous creations like the ‘batter platter‘ (which included chicken poutine butties, beef shin rag pudding and a katsu curry fondue) as well as their deep-dish pizzas over at American Pies.

They recently shifted American Pies from its spot on Mosley Street, right near the Manchester Art Gallery, to Cutting Room Square in Ancoats, leaving that prime site ready for a new concept.

Enter Foldies, where you’ll find stone-baked sandwiches filled with overnight slow-cooked or cured meats and sauces made in house daily.

These folded pizza-style butties will be ready in 60 seconds and they claim it’ll be ‘your first true sandwich love’.

Foldies sandwiches by Brewski
Foldies sandwiches by Brewski. Credit: Brewski
Foldies sandwiches by Brewski
Brewski claims Foldies will be ‘the world’s greatest sandwich shop’

The dough for the sandwiches will be made with double zero flour, proved for 12 hours before being folded and cooked on a stone at 400 degrees.

Foldies will also served breakfast sandwiches, with fillings including scrambled sage and cheddar egg, and bacon, nduja, egg and crumbled goat’s cheese.

At lunchtimes, there’ll be everything from mortadella and pistachio pesto to a ‘pizza dog’ with crispy onions, Korean BBQ and fries.

Foldies is set to open at 58 Mosley Street at the end of November, and will be open from 7.30am-11.30am for breakfast, and 11.30am-6pm for lunch.

They’re currently giving away a chance to win free sandwiches for a year too – you can see more on that HERE.

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Featured image: Brewski

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