News

Manchester just got X-rated waffles on a stick and we’re already obsessed

Manchester's latest waffle sshop is full of naughty surprises of the explicit kind..

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 12th July 2022

This week, Manchester welcomes the arrival of a new X-rated waffle shop that is putting quite the cheeky twist on dessert.

Called Mr D*ck, it’s based over in Shudehill and, whilst it will officially open its doors this Thursday, the new shop is already blowing up on social media thanks to its outrageous chocolate-dipped dongs.

Here at the new hot-pink French waffle shop, customers can lick edible d*cks and vulvas to their heart’s content for just £8.50 a pop – with a choice of six different chocolates to drizzle them with, including a gold one and a regularly changing daily chocolate special (currently Nutella).

Chocolate-dipped dongs are the order of the day at Mr D*ck. / Image: Supplied

There’s also the choice of pink chocolate, white chocolate, plus toppings like rainbow vermicelli, ruby and gold crunch, marshmallows, Lotus Biscoff, crushed Oreos and nuts to help you really jazz up your naughty treat.

Extra toppings can be added on for 40p each, like packets of Smarites, Kinder Bueno wafers, Cadbury Flakes and mini meringues, for those who really want to go the whole hog (pun intended).

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And that’s not all, there are drinks too for those who “need something wet” as the menu cheekily suggests.

Read more: Unpaid wages and tips cause staff walk out at Boujee restaurant

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Image: Mr D*ck

As well as a range of coffees, teas and sof drinks, you’ll also find an indulgent milkshake menu with choices like Reese’s Cup, Kinder Bueno and Oreo, and pots of soft serve topped with a chocolate of your choice.

Owner Lory Grigore told The Manc he was inspired to open the new shop after spending time travelling in America. Here, he tried the treats for the first time and had a lightbulb moment – deciding it was a great idea to bring them to Manchester.

Now, he’s gearing up to open the shop this Thursday. Come 12pm when the doors swing open, we expect there will be quite the queue… and the rest, well, is sure to be d*ckstory.

Mr D*ck opens this Thursday at Shudehill, seven days a week from 12-7pm.

News

Manchester palaeontologist unearths bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A Manchester-based palaeontologist has unearthed the bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile.

This new identification is a crucial part of a fascinating eight-year long discovery journey.

It all started when a seasoned fossil collector named Paul de la Salle found a giant jawbone on Lilstock Beach, near Bridgewater in Somerset, back in May 2016, and then father and daughter, Justin and Ruby Reynolds from Devon, found the first pieces of a second jawbone and another giant bone while searching for fossils on the beach at Blue Anchor, also in Somerset, in May 2020.

And now, a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester (UoM) Dr Dean Lomax, has identified the fossilised remains of the second gigantic jawbone that measures more than two metres long.

Experts have identified these bones as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur – which is a type of prehistoric marine reptile – and astonishing estimations suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25-metres long.

Dr Lomax has been working together with Justin and Ruby Reynolds, along with Paul de la Salle and several family members, since the father-daughter duo first contacted them about their groundbreaking discovery in 2020.

A Manchester palaeontologist has unearthed bones of what may be the largest known marine reptile / Credit: UoM

“I was amazed by Justin and Ruby’s find,” Dr Lomax commented.

“In 2018, my team and Paul de la Salle studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone, and we had hoped that one day another would come to light.”

He explained that Justin and Ruby’s new specimen was “more complete and better preserved” than the first find, and that he “became very excited” at the chance to learn more following their discovery.

As mentioned, the Manchester-based research team, led by Dr Lomax, revealed that the jaw bones belong to a new species of giant ichthyosaur that would’ve been about the size of a blue whale, and they have called the new genus and species Ichthyotitan severnensis – which means ‘giant fish lizard of the Severn’.

The bones – which represent the very last of their kind – are around 202 million years old, and date back to the end of the Triassic Period in a time known as the Rhaetian.

During this time, the gigantic ichthyosaurs swam the seas while the dinosaurs walked on land.

The University of Manchester, where Dr Dean Lomax works as a palaeontologist / Credit: UoM

Ichthyotitan is not the world’s first giant ichthyosaur, but the discoveries by Paul, and Justin and Ruby, are said to be “unique among those known to science”, as they appear roughly 13 million years after their latest geologic relatives – including Shonisaurus sikanniensis from British Columbia in Canada, and Himalayasaurus tibetensis from Tibet in China.

Speaking on the confirmation of the bones’ identification this week, Dr Lomax said: “This research has been ongoing for almost eight years.

“It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period.

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“These jawbones provide tantalising evidence that perhaps one day a complete skull or skeleton of one of these giants might be found.”

Featured Image – UoM

News

Northern Quarter favourite Pie and Ale has sadly closed down

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pie and Ale Manchester closed down

Beloved Northern Quarter eatery and pub Pie and Ale has sadly and quietly closed its doors this week in yet another gutting bit of news for the Manc hospitality sector.

Known for its legendary homemade pies, great selections of ales, craft beers and lagers, not to mention a great little pub when it comes to watching live sport, it’s long been considered an NQ institution.

Unfortunately, however, as confirmed by a sign posted in the window, Pie and Ale has now closed for business after more than a decade.

Safe to say, we’re absolutely gutted, as we’re sure everyone else is.

Credit: The Manc Eats

While no official announcement has been made on their social media as yet, which will no doubt receive love and sadness from its loyal following, the sign in the window simply reads: “Pie and Ale has unfortunately ceased trading. Apologies for any inconvenience.”

The local favourite which was always hailed for being great value for money – celebrated especially for its popular pie and a pint for under a tenner deal – also served up great nibbles and light bites as well as dessert specials.

Although the Lever Street spot previously shut down for a short spell back in 2018 due to what they labelled as “unforeseen circumstances” before reopening just two months later, this latest update looks pretty definitive.

Sister-site Bakerie also ceased trading back in April 2019, with husband and wife founders, Alyson Doocey and David Cook, admitting that all independents had been “feeling the squeeze”.

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While we have few other details at this stage, it does look like Pie and Ale has indeed closed down for the foreseeable future.

A mainstay on our list of the best pies in Manchester since day dot and just the latest in the list of losses in 2024 so far, they will be sorely missed.

We sincerely hope this is like last time and will keep our fingers crossed that we see the pie pros and expert pourers back in business at some point.

RIP to an NQ icon.

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

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