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.
Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”
Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
Harry Quick -
29th November 2023 
