AS WE approach the end of 2016 (an annus horribilis some will be glad to see the back of) the relentless wave of new restaurant openings continues to roll on. Among the inevitable Christmas markets and seasonal pop-ups offering a melange of sprouts and stuffing served every which way, we take a look at the last batch of bricks and mortar venues set to open next month:
The Refinery
Where: Spinningfields
What: Cocktails and crowd pleasers
When: Fri 2 Dec (preceeded by a soft launch)
The Refinery is the first of two upcoming Manchester restaurant and bar openings planned by London based bar group Drake and Morgan. Located in Spinningfields’ XYZ building, The Refinery calls itself a ‘unique space with a carefully crafted seasonal menu, quirky cocktails and fine wines’. Its catchphrase ‘an escape from the ordinary’ might not initially come across in its all day menu of small plates, burgers, salads and people pleasing pub mains, but we're willing to park our judgement.
Rabbit In The Moon
Where: Urbis
What: Space-age Asian, no really
When: tbc
This 'space-age Asian' restaurant, atop Manchester’s National Football Museum in Urbis, will be the first of three new restaurants by Michelin-starred chef Michael O’Hare, in his new role as creative director of Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville's G&G Hospitality.
The Rabbit in the Moon, named after an Asian folktale, will occupy the fifth and sixth floors of Urbis, a difficult space previously (and unsuccessfully) occupied by Le Mont, The Modern and Kaleido. The day-to-day running will be headed-up by Chef Luke Cockerill, who will be relocating from O’Hare’s flagship Leeds restaurant The Man Behind The Curtain. RitM will reportedly serve a seventeen course tasting menu, with no cutlery, in a room of wall-to-wall mirrors.
Bock Biere Café
Where: Tib Lane (the old Filthy Cow/Lounge Ten)
What: Belgian beer and European snacks
When: Sat 10 Dec (maybe)
Born out of love for a European cafe culture that has remained almost unchanged over the last couple of centuries, this continental style cafe will take over the former Filthy Cow unit on Tib Lane. It is currently undergoing a refurbishment inspired by an eclectic and timeless mixture of cafes and beer houses from Amsterdam to Paris.
They're hoping to open from 11am-11pm by 10th December, serving a speciality range of Belgian beers in time to catch the flurry of Christmas celebrations. They also want to be a place where guests feel free to order a beer or a coffee any time from morning til night. Food will mainly be a range of easygoing sharing boards of European pickings.
Cooper Hall
Where: Northern Quarter
What: European beer hall
When: Thurs 1 Dec
Sevendale House, an ex-textile warehouse on Dale Street, will be the location of this 300-cover European beer hall. The venue has been painstakingly restored and original features such as glazed brick walls and large skylight windows will be matched with plush leather seating and salvaged wooden benches to create ‘an inviting beer garden style atmosphere’.
A wide range of European beers, IPAs craft ales, wines and cocktails will be on offer; with freshly brewed Tank Pilsner Urquell from the Czech Republic, distributed and unpasteurised directly from Pilsen, alongside several rotating brews on tap and many more by the bottle. Food will be available during monthly themed food nights in conjunction with local street food traders.
The Laundrette
Where: First Street
What: Cocktails and carbs
When: Sat 3 Dec
Chorlton’s popular café-bar, The Laundrette is nearly all set to open by First Street's Vita Student building, close to the new £25m arts complex, HOME.
The self-styled ‘cocktails and carbs’ joint – which first opened within the former Soap Opera laundrette on Beech Road in 2013 –will offer punters BBQ Pulled Pork pizzas, Triple Truffle burgers and Mac’n’Cheese. Students in residence will be able to pick up complimentary coffee, juice and pastries from a new express breakfast station.
Bistrot Pierre
Where: Altrincham
What: French bistrot classics
When: Fri 2 Dec
THE independently-owned French restaurant group, Bistrot Pierre is set to open in Altrincham’s Stamford Quarter on 2 December. The two-floor restaurant, with space for 170 diners will feature floor to ceiling windows, stunning French-styled interiors, a bar area and outside seating.
The venue will open seven days a week, serving breakfast at weekends. Bistrot Pierre’s ‘raison d’être’ is great value French cooking and seasonal menus; combining French bistrot classics with regional favourites. Their new Autumn/Winter menu includes classics such as Confit de Canard and the bestselling Boeuf bourguignon maison. There will also be a bar area downstairs for diners to relax before a meal.
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