A new seafood restaurant selling seaweed martinis is opening in Manchester

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A brand new seafood restaurant and cocktail bar is popping up in Manchester this spring bringing marine-inspired small plates and drinks to Deansgate Square.

Called Pesky, it’s the brainchild of Zaide O’Rourke – a former bartender at the Alchemist with a masters degree in food science and nutrition.

Inspired by Zaide’s time spent living abroad in Sweden, the restaurant will aim to make seafood accessible to all with nibbles and small plates starting from just £4.

Oysters will be a speciality, served with pickled rhubarb and herb oil, or as ‘Drunken Oysters’ with recommended shot pairings.

Elsewhere, further seafood small plates will include panko-breaded cod cheeks with tartare, hake and chimichurri, and king prawn okonomiyaki (savoury Japanese pancakes) with bonito flakes.

Inspired by Zaide’s time spent living abroad in Sweden, the restaurant will aim to make seafood accessible to all with nibbles and small plates starting from just £4. / Image: Pesky

It won’t all be seafood, though, with another small plates section mostly dedicated to plant-based ‘land food’ like corn ribs, shaved fennel and grapefruit salad, and grilled aubergine and labneh with pomegranate molasses.

For pudding, guests can enjoy kladkakka (a Swedish sticky chocolate cake with olive oil and sea salt) or a refreshing green apple sorbet with ginger crumb

As for drinks, think seaweed-flavoured martinis and pale ales, grapefruit negronis and whiskey sours softened with black cardamom – plus a good selection of classic cocktails, beers, wine and soft drinks. 

The restaurant’s interior has been inspired by nature. Inside, diners will find a calm setting with neutral tones, ashy dark walnut furniture and an elevated bohemian vibe peppered with natural materials such as wild grasses.

Guest djs will play a soundtrack of deep and soulful house mixes with some added disco vibes.

Speaking on the new opening, Pesky owner Zaid O’Rourke said: “I am so excited to start feeding the folk of Manchester, and hopefully I get to meet loads of friendly faces over some cocktails (or seaweed pale ale if that’s your thing) next month.” 

Pesky will open from 2- 27 March at Deansgate Square. 

Feature image – Wikimedia Commons

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