Sometimes it feels like there’s so much emphasis put on restaurants that are new that we forget to appreciate the golden oldies that have been sitting under our noses for decades.
Family-run Greek Cypriot restaurant Rozafa is definitely a restaurant worth noticing, in fact, it’s an absolute must if you want a great Mediterranean scran in the city centre.
A hidden gem sitting in plain sight, this long-standing Manchester staple has been a fixture on the old Brasserie St Pierre patch for well over a decade.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
With a cracking early doors offer and a sun trap outdoor terrace it’s the perfect spot for a midweek city centre lunch – especially when the weather is this good.
Rozafa’s owners also have another site in Stockport which has been open even longer, but today we’re focusing on the Princess Street restaurant, which just so happens to be dangerously close to The Manc office.
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Found just opposite the town hall, it always looks beautiful in the mid-morning sunshine – its white and blue terrace filled with dressed tables, waiting for hungry office workers to plonk themselves down and put them to good use.
Serving up huge mezze platters, stuffed vine leaves and whole shanks of lamb stifado, cooked slowly for hours until the meat just falls off the bone, Rozafa has been a go-to for foodies in the know for well over a decade,
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The menu here is extensive, covering both Greek and Cypriot dishes with a host of colourful, heart-healthy options.
If you’re planing a visit, you can expect to find everything from mincemeat stuffed vine leaves and homemade keftedakia (meatballs), to charcoal-grilled Cypriot pork with melted halloumi and several different styles of saganaki.
Elsewhere, you’ll find the likes of grilled sardines and octopus on its fish menu, alongside some hearty favourites like moussaka and souvlaki.
Keen to give it a go, we went in: ordering a whole grilled seabass, hot pitta bread and tzatziki, a fresh Greek salad of feta, olive and tomato, steaming lamb stifado, calamari and loukaniko (Cypriot pork sausages) marinated in wine then grilled. And we still wanted to order more.
Read more:Zumuku Sushi, Ply pizza and ‘native beef’ steakhouse Tallow to open at New Century food hall
There’s so much on offer you’re definitely spoilt for choice. One visit probably just isn’t enough, if we’re being honest.
Feature image. – The Manc Eats
Manchester
You can send messages of hope to a veteran in Greater Manchester this Christmas
Thomas Melia
A Manchester veteran is urging local people to show support by writing messages to other veterans who suffer with physical and mental challenges.
Lamin Manneh, who served in Afghanistan, is fronting this initiative alongside Help For Heroes with the aim to deliver as many uplifting messages as possible to veterans who need a little pick-me-up this Christmastime.
The Manchester-born veteran experienced his own struggles while serving for the Armed Forces losing both legs and an arm whilst on patrol.
There are at least 7,700 veterans in Manchester and there are even more that can be supported by Help For Heroes.
Their latest campaign ‘Send A Christmas Message To A Veteran’ allows anyone to upload their own words and pictures of support that veterans can access virtually.
It’s easy to access and the message is uploaded straight away meaning people can reach it through any digital or desktop device whenever they need.
Last year, Christmas cards with some inspiring messages and words of support were distributed between more than 9,500 veterans and the Armed Forces charity are hoping to reach even more.
These cards are vital to any retired soldier as Help For Heroes knows for some people this may be the only card they receive this year.
Pairing this with the fact that many veterans are affected by both physical and mental challenges which limit socialising, Christmas can be a tricky time for them.
Some of the messages posted to the online wall have images attached to them too, which you can also do, including some of the cutest dogs, that’s sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
Manneh said: “During military service, service men and women have a strong support network and a close-knit community, but transitioning to civilian life can destroy that.
“Coupled with physical and mental health issues, which can prevent them from socialising, Christmas can become a time filled with dread rather than a celebration.
“Loneliness can lead to unnecessary thoughts coming to you, which can cause so much harm. Therefore, it is paramount for anyone who needs help to reach out.
“I know from last year that receiving messages from Help for Heroes supporters made a massive difference to some people and showed there are people out there who care. It also encouraged veterans to come forward and get support.”
If you want to get involved and show your support with a few words of encouragement and empathy, you can do so via their virtual message wall here.
Step inside the incredible immersive David Hockney experience that’s opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Mancs can now step inside the work of one of the world’s greatest artists, with a new immersive David Hockney experience in Manchester.
The magnificent warehouse space at Aviva Studios has been taken over by the legendary artist,
David Hockney’s Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) has opened in Manchester today, with huge projections bringing his life’s work to life.
Running all the way through to 25 January, this dazzling digital exhibition cycles through six themed chapters and features some of his most iconic images.
Spanning six decades, there’ll be lesser-seen images and new work, plus a running commentary from the artist himself and an original score by Nico Muhly.
His most famous artworks, including A Bigger Splash and plenty of his Photographic Collages, are animated and drift across Aviva Studios’ huge walls and floor.
Visitors can view the spectacle from up on the balcony or take to amphitheatre seating and benches to see it up close.
David Hockney Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) is now open in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
In part of the rotating exhibition, you can even see the work of David Hockney taking shape before your eyes, as he paints on an iPad.
From the hills of LA to the Grand Canyon to Yorkshire to Normandy, the work follows Hockney around the world and back here to his homeland in the UK.
Bigger & Closer (not smaller & further away) affords unparalleled access to the mind of one of Britain’s most loved artists.
David Hockney said: “I’m very happy that my exhibition is going to Factory International in Manchester and that more people in the UK will be able to see my pictures bigger & closer than before. LOVE LIFE DH.”
Standard tickets are on sale from £20, with affordable options available from factoryinternational.org.
Georgina Pellant -
10th August 2022 
