Over on Spinningfields’ Hardman Boulevard, the cultural melting pot that is Habbibi has recently opened its first Manchester location and we went along to try their selection of set menus.
Launching to the public fully on Friday, 2 August, they’ve created a trio of new themed set menus taking cues from all over the globe in truth, but with strong roots in Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine, and after a soft launch to more than 300+ covers you could say they’ve gone down pretty well.
You only have to take a quick glance at the interior to notice some Dubai flare; the restaurant itself is as elevated and elegant as you’d expect from a new opening in the heart of Manchester’s sophisticated financial district, but forget all that for a minute – it’s the food that’s shone for us.
Their core influences, combined with some creative tweaks from the chefs, have resulted in Habbibi Manchester doing some very clever things to some dishes you may be very familiar with but have never tasted quite like this.
What better way to start a meal? (Credit: The Manc Group)
Now, the first and only problem we had was deciding which one to go for, so we just decided to sample a few items from each of the three new weekend offerings: the seafood-inspired Atlantis menu (£45pp), the Jumeirah (£55), where the heat and char off the specially designed kitchen is centre stage, and the Burj Al Arab, which lends its name from the iconic towers situated on Dubai‘s artificial island (£75pp).
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We kicked things as you would any good taste of the Med, with olives and some lovely toasted flatbreads elevated by some Arabic spices, along with possibly the smoothest houmous we’ve ever eaten – big words, we know. Note to self (and you lot), sprinkle pomegranates on top the next time you make it.
A fine start to affairs but nothing compared to the mouth-punch that came next with the stunning king scallops in kataifi pastry nest – a challenging but intriguing texture – and the ‘bang-bang’ chicken, which was saucy, spicy and tangy without beating you over the head with acid.
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Then we were treated to another pair of perfectly cooked portions of meat and seafood, with the grilled cod loin served on a bed of lightly crushed purple potatoes with a luxurious but still delicate saffron sauce, as well as an Irish wagyu sirloin with tomatoes on the vine and their take on peppercorn sauce.
Some seriously sumptuous mouthfuls on show here. (Credit: The Manc Group)
It was in these moments that we saw the perfect combinations not only of classic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours but other styles of cooking coming through, almost as if to punctuate each varied set of courses.
With Head Chef Djafar Yousfi and many of his crew having not only reunited after a number of years at the likes of First Street’s all-Halal steakhouse Ribeye and Hotel Football next to Old Trafford but also sharing classic French training, the final product feels like a rich blend of experience and different ideas.
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As if we weren’t impressed enough already, they somehow managed to serve up some unique twists on some classic desserts: a super light and aerated tiramisu, a confit pear mousse in the shape of an actual pear, and a rocher cake which we genuinely could have eaten three times over were we not so full.
There was even a great-looking bonus eclair-esque dish that was impressive even though it was still being workshopped, once again proving that Habbibi is looking to push their food in a new direction with these new set menus.
All in all, whilst there is an obvious level of decadence to Habbibi Manchester and its new offerings that any fan of fine dining will enjoy, one thing we would reiterate is that there’s also a refreshing level of accessibility to this trio of set menus when compared to other restaurants in similar culinary spaces.
Even having the three tiers of set menus to choose from means you can go in with your budget in mind and still have a top-quality meal that feels with every penny no matter how far you push the purse strings. We genuinely didn’t have a bad or even remotely average bit of food all evening.
We also enjoyed seeing how many people walked in during the middle of a work day to enjoy a drink, flashy cocktail or simply sample some shisha on the terrace.
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All three set menus and their four total waves can be viewed HERE to see which one appeals to your palate the most; you can book a table online, over the phone or by walk-in and check out an extended look at the restaurant down below.
BOX sports bar on Deansgate is putting on the perfect night out for fans of horse racing
Danny Jones
With Cheltenham Festival 2024 coming up, both casual punters and die-hard horse racing fans are getting ready for the massive sporting weekend and Deansgate’s beloved sports bar, BOX, has come up with the perfect event to get in the mood for it.
Put simply, if you like the thrill of horse racing or the idea of race day vibes but aren’t so keen on the real thing, this might be perfect for you.
Simply dubbed ‘Race Night’, the new monthly series combines the virtual world and interactive games with one of the biggest sporting disciplines on the planet, as well as plenty of booze and food to go along with it. Oh yeah, and plenty of friendly competition, of course.
Revolving around a virtual horse racing simulator which everyone inside the bar can get involved with, BOX’s mini Manc version of Cheltenham has already got underway and you can be a part of it – plus it goes towards a good cause too.
Having now visited ourselves, we can confirm Race Night brings a proper party atmosphere and a healthy dose of wanting to rub your victory in your friends’ faces.
Don’t worry, they get plenty of those too, even if not the bragging rights all for themselves.
As you can see, it’s all quite simple: you place bets on the virtual horse racing events via your phone and watch the heats live on the many big screens located around BOX bar’s massive Manchester venue on the main Deansgate strip.
With a total of five races to try and win during the night, you’ll have plenty of chances to holler your head off and cheer on your winner. Whether you’re a pro, a ‘once-a-year flutter’ kind of person, or just joining your mates for a laugh, we can certainly voucher for the vibes.
Better yet, beyond the user-fuelled action on the telly, there’s plenty more entertainment to be enjoyed on the night, from BOX‘s regular DJs and live music to plenty of other interactive party games to give other guests a chance to win extra prizes.
A very fun and often silly party. (Credit: The Manc Group)
‘What’s the top prize?’, we hear you ask: how does a £200 bar tab sound?
Even from entry, your £5 entry fee scores you a complimentary glass of prosecco upon arrival and, as always, there’s plenty of delicious food and drink to tide you over throughout the night.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how Race Night works:
Guests place their bets with fun money tokens through our virtual bookies on their phones.
You can bet on multiple horses per race but you are only paid out for the winner.
This payout goes directly into each of their betting accounts so will change throughout the event.
Odds are worked out via the software and vary by however many people bet on the same horse.
Races are pre-recorded – it all comes down to the luck of which horse you pick.
The winner is the person at the end who has the most fun money in their betting account.
The overall winner gets a £200 bar tab.
Table downstairs for our live band at 9pm.
Two rounds of the ‘Chair Jockey’ game: first to pop the balloon gets a round of shots for their table.
Put your inhibitions aside, folks – there’s booze to be won. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Set to happen every month, with the next event taking place from 7-9pm on Friday, 14 March – the week of this year’s Cheltenham Festival – you don’t want to miss out on the unique virtual and immersive sporting event.
You’ll also be glad to hear that all profits from the tickets, which are again just a fiver, will be donated to MNDA (Motor Neurone Disease Association), with a guaranteed minimum donation of £2.50.
Before you inevitably get off your seat to cheer on a digital horse and jockey, you can book yours HERE.
With just a few days left of the competition, it also happens to be one of the best places to watch the 2025 Six Nations.
Hit theatre production set at a house party to visit Manchester on UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Alright then, 24 hour party people, we’ve found a theatre production you might like the sound of – it’s called The House Party, and it’s set in (you guessed it) a house party.
This smash hit production by pioneering theatre company Headlong is set to land at HOME in March as part of the arts venue’s 2025 theatre season.
It tells the tale of a wild 18th birthday party, where Christine is trying to pick up the pieces of her best friend, a newly-dumped Julie (who happens to be the birthday girl).
Themes of class, power and privilege are all explored with a raw intensity as the cast on stage plough through shots and dive head-first into a night that will change everything they know.
The House Party, which has received glowing reviews from previous showings, is filled with ‘privilege, desire and destruction’.
When it stops off in Manchester, its cast will include Bridgerton’s Sesley Hope as Christine, Synnøve Karlsen (Miss Austen, Last Night in Soho) as Julie, and Tom Lewis (Gentleman Jack, Patience) as Jon.
The ensemble of Frantic Assembly performers includes Ines Aresti, Oliver Baines, Cal Connor, Micah Corbin-Powell, Rachael Leonce, Jaheem Pinder and Jamie Randall.
The House Party is written by Laura Lomas and is a reimagining of August Strindberg’s Miss Julie for today’s generation.
It’s directed by Headlong’s artistic director Holly Race Roughan, who directed the Royal Shakespeare Company’s world premiere of David Edgar’s major new political play The New Real.
The House Party. Credit: Ikin YumThe production will be at HOME. Credit: Supplied
Movement direction will come from Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham.
Prior to the UK tour of The House Party, Headlong celebrated its 50 year anniversary, including the hit production of A Raisin in the Sun which played nationwide.
The House Party will be at HOME in Manchester between 25 and 29 March, 2025 – you can get your tickets HERE.
Danny Jones -
1st August 2024 
