What a weekend, what a hangover. At least we can always rely on good food and drink to make us feel better.
We’ve got some absolute corkers for you this week, ranging from an epic-sounding 7-course crisp “tasting menu” at a pub in Stalybridge to high-end hot dogs and even a pop-up from Bury market’s favourite jerk chicken stand, Blackbird Pantry.
There’s plenty more to be announced in the coming weeks too, as even more operators gear up to reveal their new Manchester food and drink venues amidst an easing of coronavirus restrictions in England.
Keep reading to discover our top food and drink picks in Manchester for this week.
A super-pink new cafe on Deansgate selling boujie red velvet and saffron lattes
La Vie Cafe is a new arrival on Deansgate, taking over the ground floor space previously occupied byCOSMO and Red Hot World Buffet.
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Pinker than pink, it’s got a huge drinks menu with a big focus on coffee – think red velvet, saffron and pistachio lattes, freddo espresso – plus some gorgeous looking gelato and freshly-made cakes on the counter.
Find La Vie Cafe at 48 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2FE.
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Social enterprise Eat Well MCR can be found hosting some of Greater Manchester’s best chefs at MIF’s festival square on Cathedral Gardens all this week. An optional £2 “Meals for Manchester” donation can be made when ordering to fund a meal for vulnerable Mancunians. / Image: Eat Well MCR
Handmade sausages, jerk chicken and salads from some of the region’s most acclaimed chefs
Social food enterprise Eat Well MCR is at MIF all week long with some of Greater Manchester’s most acclaimed chefs. Hosting a different menu every day,
Tuesday sees Mancunian charcuterie duo, Northern Cure, dishing up their take on currywurst; followed by some incredible chicken and veggie salads from Elnecot chef-patron Michael Clay on Wednesday.
Bury market regular Blackbird Pantry rocks up on Thursday, serving up their ever-popular jerk BBQ, followed by handmade sausages from acclaimed Stockport restaurant Where The Light Gets In on Friday.
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Find Eat Well MCR at MIF’s festival square on Cathedral Gardens all week. Make sure to order via the app.
Bundobust’s head brewer Dan Hocking has revealed a new 6.5% New England IPA and 4% Kellerbier-style lager / Image: Bundobust
More new beers from Bundobust’s ‘secret’ Oxford Road brewery
Bundobust got us all excited when it revealed it had quietly been brewing its own beer on Oxford Road for the past 9 months. Having just released its initial three creations, the Indian street food favourite is already tempting us back with two more.
Head brewer Dan Hocking has revealed a new 6.5% New England IPA (East is East) which comes “stacked” with cita,amarillo and mosaic hops; and a 4% Kellerbier-style lager (Kipsy Bhal) with German malts and hops.
Both are currently on tap in Manchester at Bundobust’s Piccadilly restaurant. Find it at 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AG.
There’s a new crisp butty menu and 7-course crisp “tasting menu” available in Stalybridge / Image: @jobiwhan74
A 7-course crisp “sharing platter” and butty menu
For one week only, Northern pub group Beerhouses Pubs has launched an extensive crisp butty menu and 7-course tasting option. All served on thick white bread with lashings of Lurpak, it’s split into four sections: “crinkle-cut classics”, “not crisp butties”, “combo butties” and a “special sharing platter.”
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The epic “tasting menu” is a must – comprised of hot pork scratchings,poppadoms with dip, Monster Munch, Bacon Fries, Scampi Fries and two bags of Seabrook (£7). Get it before it’s gone.
Butty prices start from £2.25. Get your hands on one at the Stalybridge Buffet Bar inside Stalybridge rail station all week long.
The AFC x Tampopo burger is a new “off the menu” addition at Tampopo for the summer / Image: Tampopo
A new secret ‘off-menu’ item at Pan-Asian favourite Tampopo
Not everyone knows this, but a lot of restaurants have secret menu items that you can only order if you’re “in the know”. From Starbucks to Burger King, there are loads to discover – but for now, there’s a unique one new to Manchester we simply just have to talk about today.
Made up of a seven-spice fried chicken thigh, BBQ sauce, lettuce and Asian slaw in a super soft bun, the AFC Burger can be ordered at Tampopo but you won’t find it listed on the menu. Pass it on, as it’s only available for a short period this summer.
Order the secret burger at Tampopo’s restaurants on Albert Square, in The Corn Exchange or the Trafford Centre.
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@afcxtampopo
Feature image – Eat Well MCR. (pictured: Joseph Otway of Higher Ground Manchester).
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Opening date finally confirmed for new Uniqlo store at the Trafford Centre
Emily Sergeant
Uniqlo is preparing to open its second store in Greater Manchester, and the official launch date has finally been confirmed.
The popular Japanese high street fashion retailer currently operates 24 stores in the UK, with its first British store having opened its doors all the way back in 2001, and its first European flagship store opening on Oxford Street in London in 2007 – but it was revealed earlier this year in April that Manchester was set to get a second helping.
Uniqlo announced that it would be opening its second Greater Manchester inside the Trafford Centre this autumn, following the huge success of its city centre store opening on Market Street in 2019.
The Trafford Centre store is set to make Manchester the first location outside of London to have two Uniqlo stores.
When news broke that the hoardings had officially gone up inside the shopping centre, elated shoppers raced to the comments to say things like: “No way! I’ve been waiting years for this.”
Uniqlo is preparing to open second its Manchester store inside the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: | The Manc Group
“Uniqlo in Trafford Centre would be a dream come true,” another person said on Instagram, while a third added: “I will never have to step foot on Market Street again,” and plenty others chimed in with comments like ‘finally’ and ‘can’t wait’.
And now, we officially have an opening date to share with you.
Uniqlo will open in the Trafford Centre for the first time on Thursday 15 October, with plenty of events happening across its extended opening weekend.
Traditional Japanese Taiko drumming performances will be happening throughout the day on Thursday 15 and Saturday 17 October, while the first 300 customers to spend over £69.90 in store on the Thursday (15 October) will get a special Uniqlo Manchester goody bag.
Uniqlo’s arrival at the Trafford Centre follows the opening of several other high-profile stores in recent months, like Urban Outfitters, White Company, Stradivarius, and many more.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
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‘Do not let Britain’s independent businesses disappear on your watch’ – Manchester bakery makes heartbreaking plea to Andy Burnham
Clementine Hall
A beloved Manchester bakery has issued an open letter to Andy Burnham ahead of the Budget begging him for help.
Barbakan Deli in Chorlton is basically an institution at this point.
The legendary bakery and delicatessen has been serving the community for 62 years, famed for its freshly-baked loaves of bread, its handmade sandwiches, and its pastries and cakes inspired by bakes from across Europe.
Posting on Instagram last night on Thursday 18 September, Frankie Dyer the director of Barbakan, issued an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Images: The Manc Group
It read: “Dear Mr Burnham, As an independent business owner in the hospitality sector, I am begging you to please read this.
“Really read it. And seriously consider what businesses like mine are telling you before the upcoming Budget.”
It continued: “In just the last two years, we have self-funded new bakery machinery, new catering kitchens, essential repairs and renovations and opened a second retail site, creating another six local jobs. We have won more than ten national awards for the quality of what we do.
“We have invested. We have grown. We have employed more people. We have worked harder than ever. In short, Prime Minister, we are doing everything you keep asking British businesses to do.
“And our bank balance is finished. That is the reality.”
The letter finished by Dyer inviting Andy Burnham to come visit the bakery and pleading for a ‘fighting chance’ to save the business: “We need action. We need meaningful reductions in the tax burden placed on employers.
“We need Employer National Insurance looked at urgently. We need a business-rates system which allows independent high-street businesses to survive. We need VAT reform for hospitality. We need Corporation Tax to reward businesses which reinvest, employ and grow.
“And we need proper grants and incentives that help established independent businesses invest and expand — not schemes with endless criteria which most ordinary businesses can never access. We need you to do something.
“And we need more than one token gesture in the Budget. A band-aid for a bullet wound. So I am asking you, Prime Minister, to come back to Manchester and see it for yourself. Pop an apron on and stand behind our counter.
Images: The Manc Group
“Come into our bakery in the middle of the night and meet the people making Manchester’s bread while most of the city is asleep. Look at our payroll, our energy bills, our rates, our supplier increases.
“Look at what leaves our bank account every single week simply for the privilege of keeping 50 people employed and our doors open. You said you wanted a government that understood the regions. You now have an opportunity to prove it.
“Independent businesses across this country are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a fighting chance. I sincerely hope your next Budget gives us one”.
Georgina Pellant -
12th July 2021 
