Italiana Fifty-Five is opening its doors on Christmas Day, helping you indulge in three courses of great food and festive spirit – the Italian way.
Formerly known as the foodie favourite Cibo, diners can step into little Italy rejuvenated with a modern touch.
Its two locations across the city centre, found on Liverpool Road and Great Northern, as well as its restaurant in Didsbury, serve up a tantalising selection of hearty dishes in a sleek and trendy setting.
As well as offering an authentic Italian Christmas Day feast, Italiana 55 will be open a Christmas Party Menu in the lead-up to the big day for all your earlier celebrations.
To begin your Christmas Day feast choose between Zuppa Di Barbavietole E Carote (roasted parsnips and carrot soup); Burrata E Fig (burrata with fresh figs, parma ham and honey); Melanzane Parmigiana (an oven-baked dish made from aubergine, scamorza, tomato, basil and parmesan cheese); Carpaccio Di Manzo (fillet of beef thinly sliced with rocket, parmesan and a homemade dressing); and Arancini V (Sicilian rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and butternut squash).
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Antipasti platter at Italiana 55. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana 55 in Manchester, which is open on Christmas Day. Credit: The Manc GroupSteak and risotto feature on Italiana 55’s Christmas menu
Italiana 55’s festive dining experience combines a British-Italian fusion with their selection of traditional mains using locally sourced ingredients with a Sicilian touch.
For your main, you can tuck in to a Tacchino Arrosto – British turkey with potatoes, carrots, sage stuffed sausage served with gravy and cranberry sauce).
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Or for a more Italian twist on your celebrations, you can go for Risotto Con Butternut (roasted butternut squash risotto with thyme and parmesan shavings); Capesante Gratinate (seared king scallops topped with grated Parmigiano and a tomato sauce finished under the grill); Filleto Al Ferri (200g 28-day aged Aberdeen Angus fillet served with fries and garlic butter sauce); Ravioli Di Spinaci (egg ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach in a butter and sage sauce); and Rollata Di Pollo (chicken fillet filled with spinach mascarpone and goat cheese in a cream and mushroom sauce).
Rollata Di Pollo on Manchester restaurant Italiana 55’s Christmas menuTiramisu at Italiana 55. Credit: The Manc Group
There is always room for dessert at Christmas, and nobody does it like the Italians.
Nothing screams tradition like a Tiramisu (classic homemade savoiardi biscuits soaked in coffee liqueur and layered with a mascarpone mousse); Vanilla Cheesecake (homemade with fresh vanilla pods, topped with a berry compote); Sticky Toffee Pudding (sponge mixed with dates and raisins, topped with sugar-coated walnuts and drizzled with warm toffee sauce); Gelato (homemade gelato serving vanilla, chocolate strawberry and pistachio); or Profiteroles (buns of choux pastry filled with chantilly cream and topped with a rich chocolate sauce).
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If you’ve got a sweet tooth they’ve covered all bases.
You can get all this at Italiana 55 on Christmas Day for £65 per person (adult) and children eat for £30.
So if you’re looking to book a restaurant for Christmas day in Manchester, find out more about Italiana 55 and book here.
Spooktacular Halloween trail to return to National Trust site Quarry Bank
Daisy Jackson
A Halloween trail is set to return to Quarry Bank Mill this autumn for one of the region’s most hauntingly beautiful seasonal events.
The National Trust site is a former working mill and one of the country’s finest industrial buildings – but as night falls and the shadows lengthen, a haunting will begin…
This year’s Halloween at Quarry Bank will again feature spooky light installations, a mesmerising laser garden, and a thrilling fire show, as well as live performances and seasonal food and drink.
Returning for a second year, Halloween at Quarry Bank will be an unforgettable experience for all ages.
Fog will swirl through the paths around the grounds, as glowing demon eyes watch over passers-by and giant skeletons loom over twisted trees.
If you’re brave enough, the trail then heads inside the mill itself, where creaking and clanking sounds of its industrial past hint at something a little more haunted.
Credit: Andrew Ogilvy PhotographyCredit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
As you wander the trail, you’ll pass installations like glowing fire spheres and catacombs echoing with whispers from the past, plus plenty more surprises waiting in the shadows.
Then you can refuel with ‘bewitched burgers and freaky fries’, plus hot toddys and decadent hot chocolates.
You can even toast a marshmallow over an open fire.
Halloween at Quarry Bank is designed for families, couples, and groups of friends alike, and attracts visitors from all over Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.
Entry to the trail is on a timed slot system – tickets are on sale now HERE.
Inside the brand-new rental houses at Bolton’s landmark £35m development, Deansgate Gardens
Daisy Jackson
The first residents are in, and the launch of Deansgate Gardens – a landmark £35m development in Bolton town centre – is live.
This impressive new development has brought 167 high-quality rental homes to Bolton, creating a residential neighbourhood that features rooftop terraces, gardens, and stunning communal spaces.
The homes on Deansgate, Bolton have been built specifically for renters, with spacious layouts in an ideal location just a two-minute walk from Bolton Town Hall and a short commute to Manchester.
And, unusually for new rental developments, it’s not all about apartments here (though there are beautiful one- and two-bedroom apartments with rooftop gardens available).
It’s also somewhere you can rent two-bedroom townhouses, and have your very own yard.
Every home is built with energy efficiency in mind, with heat pumps and enhanced insulation, plus rooftop solar panels on selected homes, keeping those pesky bills down.
This pet-friendly development comes from developer Placefirst, and is a key moment in the wider £1bn regeneration masterplan for Bolton.
Inside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonInside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonA spacious bedroomThe rooftop terraceView from the rooftop terrace
Deansgate Gardens is located just opposite the former Beales department store, connected by the train station, bus interchange, and town centre within walking distance.
These stylish new homes are built around a central square and communal courtyards. The result? Somewhere residents can relax, socialise, and connect.
There’s even a dedicated Resident Service Manager and 24/7 maintenance support for peace of mind.
And just a short walk away you’ll find parks like Queen’s Park, plus beautiful routes along the River Croal.
Ready to make these houses your home? Book in for a tour around Deansgate Gardens today HERE.
Harry Quick -
29th November 2023 
