FOLLOWING a tip-off, Confidential reported in early July that Spanish import Ibérica was eyeing up the roomy former All Saints unit on The Avenue in Spinningfields.
"We’re so excited not just because we’re opening yet another restaurant, but also because it’ll be the first outside of London."
Sleuth then had a go, receiving a twitter response from the Spanish restaurant saying all would be announced very soon.
Turns out it is All Saints. We could have told them that two weeks ago. Pfft.
Ibérica is set to open in Spinningfields in late October 2014 and occupy 520 sq m of the site. It is still thought that Alchemist, located behind the unit, will knock through and take a Living Ventures bite of the space.
Nacho Manzano
Driven by three-starred Executive Chef Nacho Manzano, Ibérica offer 'contemporary tapas' alongside more traditional dishes like Spanish stews and paellas, and signature fare including the celebrated air-cured Iberico hams and sheep milk cheese.
You're also likely to find cheeky little menu nuggets like Chorizo 'lollypops' amongst bold attempts at a fish & chips with hake. Fair play.
According to an Ibérica spokesperson, the Manchester menu will differ from the London offerings, with added mains accompanying the tapas and lunch options to 'cater for a Manchester market'. Do Londoners not enjoy mains?
Whilst casting an executive eye over Ibérica, Manzano also oversees a two Michelin-star family operation, Casa Marcial, located in a remote pueblo amongst the Picos de Europa mountains, alongside another starred restaurant, La Salgar, a jump west down the northerly Spanish coast
Nacho has some serious credentials.
The new 200-bum restaurant will be the fifth such Ibérica opening overseen by Managing Director, Marcos Fernandez Pardo, but the first outside of London town. Pardo said:
“We’re so excited not just because we’re opening yet another restaurant, but also because it’ll be the first outside of London.
"Manchester is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with an amazing restaurant scene and a sophisticated population. This is a great opportunity for us to take our authentic Spanish gastronomy further afield.”
Iberica Farringdon, London
Ibérica will continue its partnership with Barcelona-based designer Lázaro Rosa Violán. Violán has emerged as one of the world's leading hospitality and retail designers, with over 40 hotel projects under his belt, as well as the Boca Grande restaurant in Barcelona and the El Mercado in Bogota.
The Spinningfields site will see a large bar acting as the focal point on the ground floor, and a mezzanine holding the kitchen and more seating.
The group hopes the new terrace, running alongside both glass-fronted sides of the building, will recreate the atmosphere of Madrid's 'famous terrace culture'.
Iberica will be the latest food and drink offering elbowing the flagging luxury retailers off The Avenue in Spinningfields. Thaikhun have knocked through into LK Bennett, while next door, Southern Eleven are set to move into the former Brooks Brothers. Across the way Kurt Geiger and Ted Baker have thrown in the towel, making way for Brazilian restaurant Fazenda.
Michael Ingall, CEO of Allied London, developers of Spinningfields, said:“The Avenue is evolving into its next generation. It is going to be a great mix of premium retail and high quality restaurants."
Confidential has heard only good things about Ibérica. The interiors rich and splendid, the grub delicious and chin-dripping, and wine flowing like the Eo river of Asturias.
Plus, anywhere we can roll Gordo from table to desk in under five minutes is a huge win for us. Trust us to be on this one like Army Ants on a knackered wasp.
Iberica opens in Spinningfields this Autumn 2014 (October'ish).
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