First established in 1984, independent Italian restaurant Don Giovanni is one of the longest standing in the city.
Still held in high regard after nearly forty years, it has been feeding the people of Manchester for decades.
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In that time, it has cemented itself as one of the city centre’s go-to Italian eateries, especially for diners that are looking to celebrate a special occasion.
No stranger to a proposal, the restaurant is one of Manchester’s most popular places for couples looking to pop the question. It’s also a popular choice for theatregoers, thanks to its central location and special pre-theatre menu.
Image: Don Giovanni
Image: Don Giovanni
Originally housed across the road in what is now 1 St Peters Square, today you’ll find the elegant Manchester Italian restaurant sitting opposite – with panoramic glass windows looking out onto the street.
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“If you’re a lover of Italian food then you need to try Don Giovanni at least once.”
Inside, large comfy leather booths and a stunning eighteen-foot marble bar ensure it looks the part for a celebration. The menu’s pretty swish too, offering everything from freshly made pizza and pasta to indulgent seafood platters and premium cuts of meat from locally-reared cattle.
If you’re a lover of Italian food then you need to try Don Giovanni at least once. It is the place you head to in the city if you are looking for authentic Italian fare.
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The restaurant may have been feeding Mancunians for decades, but its chefs frequently revise their offering to remain classic and authentic but still on trend, most recently adding pizza alla nocciolata, pizza al tartufo and gnocchi al gorgonzola.
Image: Don Giovanni
Image: Don Giovanni
From premium chargrilled meats cooked on Don Giovanni’s in-house Josper grill, to a solid list of pizzas and pasta dishes there are some stunning dishes to choose from here – all made using fresh produce picked from local markets each morning.
The restaurant also boasts its very own pasta-making and dessert station, where you can watch its chefs busy at work preparing fresh bread, pasta and sweet treats every morning.
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Pasta lovers will find fresh favourites like spaghetti carbonara, lasagne, tagliatelle al bolognese and linguine e vongole, all available from the A La Carte menu, as well as freshly prepared homemade treats like tiramisu and panna cotta.
Read more:A boozy pasta restaurant with wine-infused dishes is coming to Manchester
Elsewhere, as part of its antipasto section you’ll find a large selection of mouthwatering starters like beef carpaccio, homemade focaccia, frittura mista and antipasto Italiano, all sure to whet your appetite.
As for drinks, the restaurant boasts one of the best classic wine lists in the city with a choice of over 100 hand picked vintages sitting alongside a selection of cocktails and craft beers.
Image: Don Giovanni
Image: Don Giovanni
From raspberry caipirinhas to espresso martinis, negronis to pornstars, there are plenty of tipples to choose from with a solid mixture of classics and signatures making an appearance on the list.
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This restaurant has long stood the test of time as one of Manchester’s best Italian eateries, offering stylish settings in the heart of the popular theatre and nightlife district.
A short walk from both The Palace and The Opera House, it also offers a 2 or 3 course pre theatre set menu between the hours of 12-2pm and 4-6pm every day.
Open seven days a week from 12pm, to find out more and book a meal, visit the Don Giovanni website here, and check out their Christmas menus here.
Feature image – Don Giovanni
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JD to open largest-ever flagship store in Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
The countdown is on to the grand opening of JD’s brand-new flagship store, with the sports fashion brand preparing to open in the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June.
The new store will be JD’s biggest ever, delivering world-class shopping experiences that will ‘serve the community and redefine what’s possible’.
JD was born right here in Greater Manchester, first opening in Bury in 1981, and has gone on to be a leader in sports fashion and lifestyle retail.
With this new flagship store, shoppers will be able to discover the hottest drops from global sportswear giants like Nike, adidas, On Running and PUMA, plus JD exclusives like Unlike Humans.
The landmark new opening will be celebrated in a big way this weekend at the Trafford Centre, with none other than eight-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder Usain Bolt attending the grand unveiling.
Then there’ll be the chance to win prizes, shop rare and sought-after sneakers, and get items customised.
The new JD store officially opens its doors tomorrow – Saturday 7 June – from 10am, with loads of exciting experiences planned.
JD to open largest-ever flagship store at The Trafford Centre in Manchester this weekend
Usain Bolt will be in store, with select fans having the opportunity to show off their running skills in front of the fastest man on the planet.
Lucky shoppers will be put into teams to race for prizes, and will have the chance to try and beat Bolt’s record on the Puma Nitro 100 metre spring challenge.
YouTube giants Beta Squad will also be there throughout the opening morning, bringing their energy and humour live and direct.
Meanwhile, Nike is bringing the ‘Nike AM95: The Vault’, giving sneakerheads a chance to get their hands on a sold-out OG Heat product.
At exactly 1.10pm – a throwback to the ‘110s’ nickname – there’ll be the OG Mandarin up for grabs, along with a limited run of the OG Pink Foam, which will be on sale from doors opening at 10am.
A glimpse of the largest JD store in the world
Crep Protect will be hosting demos and giveaways; Unlike Humans will be there with their ice cream truck serving matcha and vanilla mochi; and you can get any Unlike Humans item you buy customised by Matt B Customs for free.
James Air, Director of Group Acquisitions at JD, commented: “This new store at Trafford Centre is set to be a true statement of intent. It’s our biggest, boldest space to date – and it’s happening in the city where our journey began.
“This is JD at its very best: fashion-forward, community-focused, and pushing the boundaries of retail.
“And JD’s opening at Trafford Centre isn’t just about creating a dynamic new shopping destination – it also brings new jobs to the area, reinforcing the brand’s ongoing investment in the local communities it serves, which is at the heart of JD’s mission.”
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, said: “We’re incredibly proud to welcome the world’s largest JD to Trafford Centre. This mammoth, flagship store is a game-changer, not just for Manchester but for retail as a whole.
“With expert staff on hand, immersive displays and bespoke services, the new JD store will be a destination in its own right – promising an incredible in-store experience.”
JD’s new flagship store has been fuelled by the brand’s Forever Forward mission that propels youth culture forward.
Expect groundbreaking releases, creative partnerships and cutting-edge cultural experiences.
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JD will open its flagship store at the Trafford Centre in Manchester on Saturday 7 June from 10am.
There’s a new summer terrace in town with a weekend spritz happy hour
Daisy Jackson
There’s a new summer terrace in Greater Manchester that’s the ideal spot to soak in some rays – and enjoy a few discounted spritzes while you’re there.
Over on Chapel Street – just across the river from Manchester Cathedral – you’ll find Embankment Kitchen, which has opened up its terrace for the season.
This stylish spot is part of the CitySuites aparthotel, and has a menu rooted in the warm spirit of Northern hospitality.
It’s worth a visit all year round for their seasonally-focused, local-as-possible menus, but the summer terrace at Embankment Kitchen is a real added bonus in spring and summer.
And following that spell of absolutely glorious weather, they’re opening up two hours earlier every day too for maximum sun-soaking from 2pm.
At Embankment Kitchen you can tuck into a drinks and nibbles menu from 2pm until 5pm, and Happy Hour drinks deals from 4pm until 7pm.
That means two-for-one cocktails, plus discounted wines, prosecco and beers – an ideal post-work haunt.
Cocktails at Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSmall plates on the Embankment Kitchen terrace. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s usually almost impossible to find a happy hour in Manchester at weekends, but these guys are doing two-for-£12 spritzes every Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, with flavours including Aperol, Hugo, and limoncello.
Drinks on the menu include signature cocktails that are inspired by the city’s industrial roots, like The Emmeline, Manchester Exchange (a take on an old fashioned), and the Atomic Zombie, as well as classic cocktails such as an espresso martini, limoncello negroni, amaretto sour, and strawberry daiquiri.
As for nibbles, tuck into treats like garlic bread, edamame beans with smoked salt, garlic and parmesan fries, salt and pepper tater tots, and halloumi fries.
Surrounded by lush plants and gigantic parasols, it’s hard to believe you’re just across the river in Salford when you’re soaking up the sun at Embankment Kitchen. To find out more, head HERE.
The Manc -
25th October 2022 
