News

A new Mediterranean grill restaurant has opened in the Northern Quarter

Discover smoky charcoaled meats, fish and an exciting list of ancient wines from Pupa’s very own vineyard

Georgina Pellant - 6th October 2022

A new Mediterranean grill restaurant has just opened in the Northern Quarter, bringing an exciting mixture of smoky charcoaled meats and ancient wines to the former Solita burger site.

Called Pupa Restaurant, it celebrates a full range of European flavours: serving up plates of grilled halloumi, mixed meats, and whole grilled fish alongside a list of carefully chosen wines, many made by its owner’s uncles back home in Albania.

Opened by Armando Pupa, a 27-year-old chef who has worked for a number of different restaurants in and around the city, the eponymous site boasts its very own signature wine list with a choice of four different vintages: Puls i Arte i Beratit, Serina red, Dodona red and Serina rose.

Each comes with its own recommended pairing. The Puls i Arte i Beratit is a white, perfect with raw and grilled seafood or white meat, whilst the Dodona red, a blend of three different grapes, pairs best with ham, grilled chicken and red meat.

Elsewhere, a more extensive list of wines sit alongside solid selection of classic and signature cocktails, beers and softs – but the main draw here has to be vintages, all imported from a family winery of the same name in Berat, Albania.

On the menu, you’ll find a sizeable grill section with various marinated skewers, tender lamb cutlets, premium cuts of steak, and plump king prawns slathered in spiced garlic and herb butter, with sides like chips, salad and rice all served separately.

Elsewhere, a list of light starters including calamari, mixed olives, and homemade croquettes stuffed with cheese and bacon promise to set your meal up perfectly, before you finish off with desserts like creme brulee, cheesecake, salted caramel mousse and chocolate cake.

Alongside a list of flavourful Mediterranean plates, diners will also find a list of towering dirty burgers and a mammoth sharing platters, featuring melt-in-the-mouth meats that have been marinated for hours before going on top of the restaurant’s specially-built charcoal grill.

Sitting just off the beaten track of the Northern Quarter, just one row behind the ever-busy Thomas Street. under the stewardship of its new owner Pupa is breathing new life into a site that has sat empty for years.

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With huge boards of Spanish chorizo, chicken and lamb skewers, chicken wings, Mediterranean rice, Greek salad, and blackened veg sure to tempt large groups of diners in, it’s certainly bringing something a little bit different to this corner of the city.

Whilst it has already been open for a month, this Friday 7 October, the restaurant is hosting a launch party to meet its new Northern Quarter neighbours.

From 5pm, Pupa will open for a knees up that will see the team handing out complimentary glasses of prosecco on arrival alongside an array of tempting Mediterannean plates and desserts.

Staff will also be handing out vouchers for 10% off food and drink that will be valid for use until the end of November.

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Pupa is open seven days a week from 5-10pm Monday to Wednesday and 12-10pm Thursday to Sunday. To find out more and book, visit the restaurant’s website here.

Feature image – The Manc Eats