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McDonald’s will soon sell Big Mac sauce DIPPING POTS in UK restaurants
Sam Ridgway -
22nd January 2020 
Sam Ridgway -
22nd January 2020
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The Mean Eyed Cat – Manchester’s brand new Deep South-inspired dive bar opens in Northern Quarter
Daisy Jackson
The Mean Eyed Cat, a Deep South-inspired dive bar with free pizza, is ready to open its doors in Manchester city centre.
The bar is already a familiar face on the bar scene, pulling out all the party vibes for almost two decades.
It’s now slinking its way onto Oldham Street, with a late-night sister bar, Tiki Hideaway, tucked down in the basement.
The Mean Eyed Cat has taken what was the futuristic, Blade Runner-esque dining room of District and flipped it into an American dream, with neon signs, weathered wooden walls, and rows of beers and bourbons behind the bar.
District’s old basement cocktail bar is now dripping in straw ceilings and bamboo walls as it turns fully into a Hawaiian-themed rum shack famed for its flaming Zombies.
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The Mean Eyed Cat comes with plenty of unusual details – where else in town could you roll a dice and let fate decide how much your round at the bar will cost (FYI, it’s 25% off if you roll a two or a four, and it’s free if you roll a six).
Every drink you purchase between 5pm and 9pm comes with a free pizza. The catch, you ask? Nope, there isn’t one.
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Pizza toppings include cheeseburger, chipotle fajita and buffalo cauliflower, with the West Yorkshire branch getting through hundreds every day.
There are several Johnny Cash-themed drinks on the Mean Eyed Cat menu, including I Walk The Lime (a Key Lime Pie-inspired creamy classic with Absolut lime vodka, apple juice, sugar syrup, cream, lime curd and a sprinkling of lime zest) and Ting of Fire (a zesty, fruity, vodka number with watermelon liqueur and Ting grapefruit juice).
Grant Dexter, Managing Director at Escapism Bars, said: “With many hospitality firms and venues feeling the pinch due to the energy crisis and cost of living, it’s exciting to be able to open these awesome venue, which includes not one but two incredible bars, in this popular area in Manchester which spans the NQ and Ancoats.
“We opened The Mean-Eyed Cat in Leeds back in 2004 and it has stood the test of time, attracting students, after work drinkers, party goers and anyone that likes to let their hair down. We can’t wait to see what Manchester’s legendary revellers make of the venues!”
Read more
- Manchester Food and Drink Festival reveal 2023 awards shortlists as voting opens
- Two new Manchester restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide
- House of Hoagie – The ENORMOUS sandwiches being served from Manchester’s secret garden
Featured image: The Manc Group
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Manchester Food and Drink Festival reveal 2023 awards shortlists as voting opens
Georgina Pellant
The shortlisted nominees for the 2023 Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards have been announced.
The Awards are the most prestigious in the northwest and celebrate the region’s outstanding hospitality talent, with winners to be revealed at the MFDF Gala Dinner at New Century on 29th January 2024.
There are 114 exceptional venues, traders, places and people nominated across 18 categories celebrating another phenomenal year for Greater Manchester’s hospitality industry as the sector continues to go from strength to strength.
This year’s roll call of magnificent food and drink businesses takes in the whole breadth of talent flourishing in our region from talented takeaways and superb street food vendors to Michelin-star dining and some of the newest and most exciting additions to the hospitality community in the region.
The shortlisted nominations have been compiled by the MFDF Judging Panel, taking into account award submissions from the hospitality industry. The panel is made up of the region’s leading food and drink critics, writers, and experts. The awards are now open to public vote on the MFDF website.
A mystery shopping period will now commence alongside the public vote. During this period judges will visit nominated venues for a mystery dining visit, and will score venues based on their experiences.
The mystery shopping and public voting period will end on 20th November 2023 when the polls will be counted and combined with the judges’ scores, and the winner of each category will be chosen.
The MFDF 23 Award Winners will be announced at the MFDF Gala Dinner & Awards on 29th January 2024 and tickets can be purchased by emailing [email protected]
To vote please visit https://foodanddrinkfestival.com/awards.
The full list of nominees for the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards
- Plant Based Offering of the Year
Bundobust
St James Building, 61-69 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EQ
Lily’s Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
85 Oldham Road, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7DF
Bahn Ví
New Century Kitchen, 34, Hanover Street, Manchester M4 4AH
The Walled Gardens
Alness Road, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 8HW
Maray
14 Brazennose Street, Manchester M2 6LW
Speak in Code
7 Jackson’s Row, Manchester M2 5ND
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Flawd Wine
9 Keepers Quay, Manchester M4 6GL
The Mekong Cat
47 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1JQ
- Takeaway of the Year
Fat Pat’s
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88 Portland Street, Manchester M1 4GX
Ad Maoira
34 Copperas Street, Manchester M4 1BJ
Unagi Street Food & Sushi
10 Park Place, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4EY
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Ciaooo Garlic Bread
93-95 Shudehill, Manchester M4 4AN
Wright’s Fish and Chips
86 Cross Street, Manchester M2 4LA
Maida Grill House
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38 Liverpool Street, Salford M5 4LT
Al Madina
76 Wilmslow Road, Manchester M14 5AL
Burgerism
18 West Ashton Street, Salford, M50 2XS
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- Independent Drink Producer of the Year
Sureshot Brewing
4 Sheffield Street, Manchester M1 2ND
Stockport Gin
19B St Petersgate, Stockport SK1 1EB
Cloudwater Brew Co
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7-8 Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester M1 2NP
Tarsier Spirit
Unit A5 Bankfield Trading Estate, Coronation Street, Stockport, England, SK5 7SE
Pod Pea Vodka
Irlam, Manchester
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Manchester Union Brewery
96D North Western Street, Manchester M12 6JL
Squawk Brewing Co
Tonge Street, Manchester M12 6LY
Track
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Unit 18, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester M1 2NP
- Independent Food Producer of the Year
Pollen
Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union Street, Manchester M4 6FQ
Great North Pie Co
Kampus, Aytoun Street, Manchester M1 3GL
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La Chouquette
812A Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 6UH
Gooey
Ducie Street Warehouse, Manchester, M1 2TP
Yellowhammer
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15 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1JQ
The Manchester Smoke House
123 Waterloo Road, Cheetham, Manchester M8 8BT
The Flat Baker
Unit 2, 23 Radium Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AY
Companio Bakery
Unit 6 Flint Glass Wharf, 35 Radium Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AD
- Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year
Levenshulme
Stockport
Altrincham
Urmston
Prestwich
Monton
Sale
Stretford
- Coffee Shop of the Year
Grapefruit Coffee
2 School Road, Sale M33 7XY
Cafe Sanjuan
27 St Petersgate, Manchester SK1 1EB
Another Heart to Feed
10 Hilton Street, Manchester M1 1JF
Idle Hands Coffee
35 Dale Street, Manchester M1 2HF
Bold Street Coffee
53 Cross Street, Manchester M2 4JN
Smoak
105 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9GA
Ancoats Coffee Co
9 Royal Mills, 17 Redhill Street, Manchester M4 5BA
Siop Shop
53 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LS
- Food Trader of the Year
Baratxuri
Exhibition, St George’s House, 56 Peter Street, Manchester M2 3NQ
Chaat Cart
Society, 100 Barbirolli Square, Manchester M2 3BD
Triple B
24 Bury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 0LD
Tawny Stores
Yellowhammer, 15 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1JQ
Little Sri Lanken
Reddish, Stockport
Pico’s Taco’s
Mackie Mayor, 1 Eagle Street, Manchester M4 5BU
Oh Mei Dumplings
Fat Pat’s
88 Portland Street, Manchester M1 4GX
- Affordable Eats Venue of the Year
Nila’s Burmese Kitchen
386 Third Avenue, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1JE
Great North Pie Co
Kampus, Aytoun Street, Manchester M1 3GL
Cafe Sanjuan
27 St Petersgate, Manchester SK1 1EB
Noodle Alley
Basement Level, 56A Faulkner Street, Manchester M1 4FH
Tokyo Ramen
55 Church Street, Manchester M4 1PD
Lily’s Deli
Unit 2C, Henry Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5BA
House of Habesha
Central Bay, Unit 32, Quayside, Media City, Salford Quays, M50 3AG
Ornella’s Kitchen
10 Manchester Road, Denton, Manchester M34 3LE
- Food and Drink Retailer of the Year
Ad Hoc Wines
28 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HN
Out of the Blue Fishmongers
484 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9AS
Littlewoods Butcher
5 School Lane, Heaton Chapel, Stockport SK4 5DE
Wandering Palate
191 Monton Road, Eccles, Manchester M30 9PN
New Market Dairy
1 Central Way, Altrincham WA14 1SB
Petit Paris Deli
10 King Street, Manchester M2 6AG
Cork of the North
104 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4NZ
La Chouquette
812A Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 6UH
- Pop Up or Project of the year
Our Place
Platt Fields Market Garden
Platt Fields Park, Platt Fields Market Garden, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6LT
Tawny Stores
Yellowhammer, 15 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1JQ
SAMPA
Blossom Street Social, 51 Blossom Street, Manchester M4 6AJ
Little Sri Lankan
Reddish, Stockport
Suppher
Fare Share
Units E1-8, New Smithfield Market, Whitworth Street East, Openshaw, Manchester, M11 2WJ
Micky’s
Ply, 26 Lever Street, Manchester M1 1DW
- Pub or Beer Bar of the Year
The Marble Arch
73 Rochdale Road, Manchester M4 4HY
Track Brewery Taproom
Unit 18, Piccadilly Trading Estate, Manchester M1 2NP
The City Arms
46-48 Kennedy Street, Manchester M2 4BQ
Runaway Brewery Taproom
9-11 Astley Street, Stockport, SK4 1AW
Fox & Pine
18 Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AD
Reddish Ale
14 Broadstone Road, Reddish, Stockport SK5 7AE
Station Hop
815 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 3BS
Heaton Hops
7 School Lane, Stockport SK4 5DE
- Bar of the Year
The Jane Eyre
One Cutting Room Square, 14 Hood Street, Manchester M4 6WX
Blinker
64-72 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BQ
Red Light
4-2 Little David Street, Manchester M1 3GL
Sterling Bar
4 Norfolk Street, Manchester M2 1DW
Hawksmoor
184 – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD
Schofield’s Bar
3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester M3 3JZ
10 Tib Lane
10 Tib Lane, Manchester M2 4JB
Flawd Wine
9 Keepers Quay, Manchester M4 6GL
- Neighbourhood Venue of the Year
Restaurant Örme
218 Church Road, Urmston, Manchester M41 9DX
Stretford Canteen
118 Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BH
OSMA
132 Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 0AA
Ornella’s Kitchen
10 Manchester Road, Denton, Manchester M34 3LE
The Oystercatcher
123 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9PG
Yellowhammer
15 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 1JQ
Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop
7 Town Street, Marple Bridge, Stockport SK6 5AA
The Jane Eyre
60 Beech Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG
- Great Service Award
Hawksmoor
184 – 186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WD
Higher Ground
Faulkner House, New York Street, Manchester M1 4DY
Schofield’s Bar
3 Little Quay Street Sunlight House, Manchester M3 3JZ
Where The Light Gets In
7 Rostron Brow, Stockport SK1 1JY
Climat
8th Floor, Blackfriars House, Manchester M3 2JA
Wood Manchester
Jack Rosenthal Street, First Street, Manchester M15 4RA
Sterling Bar
4 Norfolk Street, Manchester M2 1DW
Tast Catala
20-22 King street, Manchester M2 6AG
- Newcomer of the year
Climat
8th Floor, Blackfriars House, Manchester M3 2JA
Higher Ground
Faulkner House, New York Street, Manchester M1 4DY
Restaurant Örme
218 Church Road, Urmston, Manchester M41 9DX
Fold Bistro & Bottle Shop
7 Town Street, Marple Bridge, Stockport SK6 5AA
The Jane Eyre
60 Beech Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG
Madre
Minshull House, 47 Chorlton Street, Manchester M1 3FY
New Century Kitchen
34, Hanover Street, Manchester M4 4AH
Stretford Canteen
118 Chester Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 9BH
- Chef of the Year
Joseph Otway (Higher Ground)
Danielle Heron (OSMA)
Luke Richardson (Climat)
Julian Pizer (Another hand)
Shaun Moffat (The Edinburgh Castle Pub)
Patrick Withington (Erst)
Seri Nam (Flawd Wine)
Mike Shaw (MUSU)
- Restaurant of the Year
Higher Ground
Faulkner House, New York Street, Manchester M1 4DY
Climat
8th Floor, Blackfriars House, Manchester M3 2JA
Another Hand
Unit F, 253 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
10 Tib Lane
10 Tib Lane, Manchester M2 4JB
OSMA
132 Bury New Road, Pretwich, M25 0AA
Erst
9 Murray Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
The Spärrows
16 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester M4 4HF
mana
42 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6BF
- The Howard and Ruth Award for Outstanding Achievement
Recognising people who have contributed something outstanding to the hospitality industry in Greater Manchester.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
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