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.
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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.
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
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.
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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.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
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.
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.
Image: The Manc Eats
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.
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
News
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
There’s a farm in Greater Manchester where you can meet Lilo and Stitch
Thomas Melia
Any fans of the Disney classic Lilo and Stitch are in luck because there’s a farm in Greater Manchester which is hosting a special meet and greet event.
Who doesn’t love a sci-fi comedy drama film, especially one where the lead character’s sidekick is none other than the adorable little blue experiment with a voice we still imitate to this day?
Originally released in 2002, the Lilo and Stitch film is receiving a live-action version in 2025 and we’re sure to fall in love with Lilo and her little blue fur ball pal over again, 23 years later.
Ahead of the new live adaptation, Cockfields Farm in Greater Manchester is hosting a meet and greet event dedicated to this huge Disney film.
This is the perfect opportunity for little ones and grown-ups alike to come and meet two of their favourite Disney characters while also getting a chance to venture around the farmland as well.
As the event is taking place at a farm, this means that the Lilo and Stitch experience won’t be the only event guests will be able to take part in; there’s also a handful of fun farm-based activities to try your hand at too.
There are tractor rides, a giant bouncy pillow and a carousel running all throughout the day for any kids looking to let off some steam.
And those after a quieter and less energetic itinerary can head on over to the cuddling corner, feed meerkats and handle some reptiles too, this farm is catering for all.
With the meet and greet experience occurring during May, meaning more chance of that gorgeous sunshine, anyone attending is also advised to come dressed in their ‘Hawaiian best’.
Lilo and Stitch are coming for a special meet and greet at Cockfields Farm in Ashton-under-Lyne on 17 and 18 May, with tickets already live HERE.