This round-up includes grilled cheese, döner kebabs, BBQ and chocolate - not recommended all at the same time
There are so many new places opening at the moment that we had to split them into two round-ups. Part one, in case you missed it, is here. These are all opening in August or later and they're a mixed bunch that includes gut-busting comfort food, artisan chocolate (now with added booze) and fine dining in the countryside.
We look forward to working our way through them. It's a hard life.
What - Bundobust #2
Where - TBA
When - Late 2019/early 2020
Everyone, by now, should know all about Bundobust and their excellent vegetarian Gujarati and West Indian street food. Born in Leeds and quickly expanding to include our beloved Manchester branch followed by a recent opening in Liverpool, they show no sign of cooling off any time soon.
But aside from the superb food they do, there is the no less important matter of their cracking craft beer selection. For the record, my personal fave with a kale bhaji is a pint of Northern Monk's Bombay Dazzler. In this second Manchester venue, it is the beer that will take centre stage as they take it up a notch with their own in-house brewery where diners will be able to munch and sip amid the brewing tanks. We cannot wait.
What - Döner Haus
Where - The Corn Exchange, Exchange St, Manchester M4 3TR
When - Autumn
We Brits love a döner kebab but, unlike much of mainland Europe, many of us don't have a real appreciation of the proper ones. Usually employing them as a device to soak up an inordinate amount of beer on a Friday night. When it comes to kebabs that you eat before you drink, Turkey and Greece may get all the glory, but those in the know will confirm that Berlin also has a damn fine kebab game.
Döner Haus, opening in the Corn Exchange imminently, is a giant Berlin style kebab house. With more than double the amount of lean meat compared to a standard kebab and served on their own house-baked flatbread, they claim to be the juiciest ones that will ever cross your lips. They also do that legendary German fast-food, currywurst.
What - Northern Soul Grilled Cheese NQ
Where - 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA
When - September
Northern Soul is a real local success story. They started with a teeny (and still going strong) market stall in 'the barrows' on Church Street and quickly gained an insatiable fan-base of gooey cheese deviants. Working their arses off on Manchester's Christmas markets further cemented their reputation as purveyors of the finest grilled cheese toasties in the land. A second branch on Piccadilly approach followed. Now they are about to open their third and by far largest branch in the old Simple site on Tib Street.
With a much more extensive menu and a booze license secured, this new place should give them the scope to pull out all the stops. We are dying to know what grate things they have lined up.
What - Hyssop Glossop
Where - 54 High Street West, Glossop, SK13 8BH
When - Open now
Another heartwarming tale of an idea that started small and has gone from strength to strength. The team behind Hyssop started with pop up supper clubs and, following an MFDF nomination, quickly moved onto a residency at a local pub before getting a place of their own. Their newly opened restaurant has been hotly anticipated by those who know good food.
Why? Well head chef Paul Sykes has some impressive credentials, having cut his teeth in places like The Midland and Claridges. Our Neil Sowerby rated a visit to their previous incarnation at The Bull's Head very highly. Co-owner Jessie Hine is also a trained pastry chef. The menu makes great use of the restaurant's enviable setting, showcasing local free-range meat and eggs and plenty of beautiful seasonal fruit and veg.
What - Cocoa Cabana
Where - Murray Street, Ancoats
When - August 21st
If you thought Ancoats had everything, well you were wrong. What has been a glaring omission from the hippest neighbourhood in town for all this time? That's right, a chocolate shop. Duh. But not just any chocolate shop, Cocoa Cabana is the new venture Slattery-trained Sarah Gallacher who has an award-winning boutique chocolaterie of the same name in West Didsbury.
Specialising in small batch, handmade chocolates, spectacular special occasion cakes and afternoon teas, their Ancoats chapter will be bringing booze to the party - and we all love someone who does that. We'll be queuing up to try the salted caramel and chocolate martinis when they open their doors next week.
What - Beer More Social
Where - 53A London Road, Hazel Grove, SK7 4AX
When - August
This was born from a small social group of beer lovers that decided to meet up at as many beer festivals, breweries and taps as possible. The idea to open a bar is hopefully one of those drunken ideas that don't end up in injury, jail or, at the very least, severe embarrassment.
Beer More Social is a community minded, craft beer bar opening very soon in Hazel Grove. 'A lot of saving up' followed by a successful crowdfunding campaign gave this neighbourhood bar idea wings and they are currently applying the final licks of dark teal paint to their new premises.
What - Deadwood Smokehouse
Where - 106-108 Ashley Rd, Hale, Altrincham WA14 2UN
When - August
A smoky, meaty extravaganza, the newest Deadwood Smokehouse follows on from award winning sites in Mold and Nantwich, making a hat trick for owners Luke Bevis and Aidan Donovan.
The menu features classic American style BBQ food like saucy ribs, supersized burgers and mammoth, meaty sandwiches. There are sharing boards and US-standard starters and sides like deep fried shrimp and mac n' cheese too.
