It’s another great week for eating and drinking in Manchester, and boy have we got some tasty newcomers for you to check out this week.
From doner kebabs created by a Michelin star chef to a bottomless BBQ brunch at Manchester’s cricket-themed restaurant Sixes, plus a new Sunday menu from MFDF’s restaurant of the year winner Baratxuri an entire street of Thai street food at the Trafford centre you’re absolutely spoilt for choice.
Berlin street-style kebabs from a Michelin star chef
Michelin starred Brummy chef Brad Carter, behind restaurant Carters of Moseley, launched his kebab shop in lockdown – taking meat from his existing suppliers and repurposing them into fancy doners.
inspired by an amazing Berlin chip shop kebab he queued for four hours to get in minus twelve temperatures, he started making a different one every week – using his high-end cheffing skills to develop some of the fanciest doners going
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Now he’s opened a proper shop here in Manchester at Escape to Freight Island – bringing some top-shelf doner tackle to the city (think squid doner, made by taking squid and pork fat and emulsifying them on the spide to pave off squid sausage meat).
Find it at Escape to Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ.
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Image: The Manc Eats
A basque-style Sunday lunch at Baratxuri
Baratxuri is the place to be this month after winning two of the top gongs at this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival. Since taking home awards for Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year, the bookings have flooded in.
Whilst the Ramsbottom restaurant is, by all accounts, a complete joy to visit if you don’t fancy trekking that far out of town you can also enjoy Baratxuri’s food at Escape to Freight Island. Even better, the team there has released a new Basque-style Sunday lunch menu priced at just £21 for two courses.
Think wood-fired cuts of suckling lamb, beef cheek and whole-grilled sardines, plus smoked beetroot braised figs with blue cheese and a gorgeously spicy cauliflower bravas, finished off with a choice of Basque-style rum and orange syrup-topped trifle or orange and almond torta.
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Find it at The Ticket Hall inside Escape to Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ.
Image: Sixes
A British bottomless BBQ brunch (with optional cricket)
Manchester’s cricket-themed restaurant Sixes, housed inside the Corn Exchange, has launched a new bottomless brunch menu with a selection of dishes inspired by classic English BBQs.
Think mac and cheese croquettes, and beef short rib on bone marrow toast, burgers, steaks and sweet potato ‘from the ashes.’Drinks choices, meanwhile, include 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco and cocktails like ‘girl next door’ and ‘garden variety’ for £35, or you can opt for a champagne upgrade for an additional £5.
If you want to make a proper afternoon of it, you can play a game of cricket or two whilst you’re here too. Off-peak prices start from £20 for thirty minutes for up to three people.
Find it at The Corn Exchange in the former Alston Bar & Beef unit on Cathedral St, Manchester M4 3TR.
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Image: Thaikhun
A first-of-its-kind Thai street food buffet
In what owners say is a first-of-its-kind opening, the team behind Thaikhun has launched a buffet restaurant dedicated to popular Thai street food dishes.
Mains on offer will differ every day, but customers can expect to find classics like pad thai, massaman, and khao soi gai soup here – with owner Kim Kaewkraikhot promising every dish is one you’d really find on a Thai street food stall.
With loads of savoury favourites and its own fully-equipped dessert station boasting a chocolate fountain, popcorn machine, slushy machine, and ice cream machine, the Thaikhun Street restaurant makes an impressive new addition to the Trafford Centre.
Find it at The Trafford Centre, open seven days a week.
News
No trams to run on major Metrolink line as ‘essential’ work to repair Victorian-era tunnel starts this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Travel disruption is expected across the next couple of weeks as ‘essential engineering’ work begins on a major Metrolink line.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that a reduced service will run on the Bury line this weekend, as work to replace ‘defective’ beams supporting the roof at Whitefield Tunnel means that no trams will run between Crumpsall and Bury on Saturday (10 May), or between Whitefield and Bury on Sunday (11 May).
Some weekend and overnight working is said to be ‘necessary’ to secure and protect the overhead line equipment, so that the beam replacement work can be completed as ‘safely and quickly as possible’, according to TfGM.
A crane is planned to be in use for the beam replacement work at times.
Closures on the line from this weekend come after the successful completion of preparatory work at the site, following the discovery of a defective beam.
No trams will run on a major Metrolink line as ‘essential’ work to repair Victorian-era tunnel starts this weekend / Credit: TfGM
As well as the suspension on services this weekend, as mentioned above, several other chances throughout this month and into the next on the Bury line are also to be expected.
No tram services will operate between Crumpsall and Bury on Sunday 25 May, and no again from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June, while no trams will run between Whitefield and Bury from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 May.
For the duration of all closures, replacement bus services will run between the affected stops on all the above dates.
Any so-called ‘noisier’ work is set to take place during daytime and evening working hours where possible, and several noise reduction measures – such as acoustic blankets and enclosures – also to be put in place during this.
Essential upgrade work to protect the historic Whitefield Tunnel means no trams will run between Crumpsall–Bury (Sat 10 May) and Whitefield–Bury (Sun 11 May).
We're replacing a defective beam to keep the line safe and reliable.
As always, the Greater Manchester public is being advised to ‘plan ahead’ if they are travelling.
“Whitefield Tunnel dates back to the 19th century,” explained Ian Davies, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, “and this essential work will ensure tram services can continue to safely pass through it for decades to come.
“This is a complex job, but we will do everything we can to minimise disruption to passengers, residents and businesses.”
He added: “I would encourage people who use the Bury line to plan ahead and check the Bee Network website, app, and social media channels for the most up-to-date travel information.”
AO Arena to host huge Europa League Final fan zone after Manchester United victory
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary AO Arena will once again host an almighty football fan zone later this year, welcoming in fans for the Europa League Final.
The huge venue previously hosted a Road to Victory fan zone for the Euros, and is now ready to replicate all the atmosphere and excitement of the beautiful game once again.
This time it’s in honour of Manchester United, who romped their way into the Europa League Final this evening with a spectacular 4-1 victory (7-1 on aggregate) over Athletic Club.
The Red Devils will be heading to that same team’s home stadium of San Mamés in Bilbao in Spain on 21 May 2025, and you’ll be able to watch all the action right here at home in Manchester.
The AO Arena Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be presented by Red Square.
If you think that name rings a bell, you’re right: they’re the same folks behind the regular events held over at Victoria Warehouse for any big United games, and 21 May will be no different – other than being arguably their biggest date ever.
There’ll be space for thousands upon thousands of football fans who’ll be able to watch Ruben Amorim’s side potentially take home their first piece of silverware since his arrival.
If you saw the scenes at Road to Victory in the AO during Euro 2024, you’ll know how unbelievable a venue this is to watch the footy.
As the promoters have billed it: “Get ready to immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the Europa League Final, presented by Red Square.
“Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together passionate Manchester United fans for the largest indoor fan park extravaganza ever witnessed!
“MANCHESTER UNITED head to the UEL final on Wednesday, 21st May – Secure your tickets now!”
The Europa League Final Screening & Fan Zone will be at the AO Arena on 21 May.
Georgina Pellant -
5th October 2021 
