This week - giant pizza deliveries, beer hotels, burgers and hot gin

Manchester’s hospitality industry are still triumphing in the face of all the obstacles being thrown its way. The enterprising lot are coming up with wonderful cook at home kits, amazing click and collect menus and, if you can’t get to them, they will always find a way to get to you.

We’ve scooped up a few of the latest food and drink happenings to make sure you don’t miss out.

2020 11 13 Nells Pizza Delivery

Nell’s Bells

Fresh off the back of an appearance on Have I Got News For You (thanks to ‘Slicegate’) Nell’s have had a bit of a re-think about how they can get their giant pizzas to the people.

Deliveroo couldn’t handle the sheer size of the boxes (although 14 inch pies are available) so the team behind Nell’s will come and drop off your pizza if you live within an M1, M2, M3 or M4 postcode. If not, you can order to collect from Nell’s current home at Common on Edge St.

22in pizzas will be available for delivery and collection between 6pm-8pm, Tuesday-Sunday. Enjoy faves such as the ‘Do You ‘Roni, Honey’ the ‘Vegan Deluxe’, ‘Cacio e Pepe’ and the classic ‘Original Cheese’ - or you can even go half and half. You can also add on a booze bundles include cans from Deya Brewing and TRACK, as well as natural wines and canned cocktails.

Orders can be placed up to two hours prior by phone (0161 832 9245) by email (massivedeliveries@nellspizza.co.uk) or via the Common & Co app. Minimum order for delivery is £40.

Also read - Meet the man behind Common, Port Street Beer House, Indy Man Beer Con and more

2020 12 11 Gin Mcr Winter Spice

Festive Spirit

The Spirit of Manchester Distillery, home to Manchester Gin, has released its first limited edition festive inspired tipple, Winter Spiced Gin - a unique full-strength spirit, at 40% ABV, which can be drunk either hot or cold. The winter warmer has been created with the classic flavours of Yuletide in mind with a blend of orange and cinnamon, followed by warm, spicy taste from notes of clove and nutmeg.  

This new gin can be served hot with an aromatic tonic syrup and a twist of flamed orange peel or cinnamon stick for a sweet citrus winter warmer. Alternatively, Winter Spiced Gin is just as delicious served cold over a few ice cubes with tonic and a garnish. 

Manchester Gin co-founder and Master Distiller, Seb Heeley, said: “We had such fun sampling the festive flavours until we found the perfect balance of spice and citrus creating a drink which everyone will enjoy. It’s also really exciting to be launching our first gin with a recommended hot serve, further adding to the warm feeling this unique blend of botanicals creates.” 

Winter Spiced Gin (500ml £35) is launching this November and is now available to pre-order from www.manchestergin.co.uk

Also read - That's the spirit - the gin craze is still going strong in Manchester

2020 11 13 Peru Perdu Sunday Lunch

Peru-fect weekend

All day dining South American concept, Peru Perdu are hosting a special weekend later this month with a selection of signature dishes available via Click and Collect. 

On Saturday 21st November, Peru Perdu will be serving up supreme steaks with a selection of sides, as well as the popular sweet yam curry and - arguably one of the most delicious desserts in Manchester - the Dulce De Leche Cheesecake with meringue. 

On Sunday 22nd November they will offer a South American take on the classic Sunday roast. Choose from beef - Churrasco Picanha, chicken – Pollo la Brasa and vegan Chimichurri Cauliflower with Truffle Gravy, all served with a host of sides. The cheesecake will be available for pudding again.

All wines and a range of cocktails, including Kula Negroni, Espresso Martini and Clarified Cuba Libre are also available via Click and Collect which will go live on Monday 16th November at 9am, for collection on 21st/22nd with strict social distancing measures in place. To book a slot visit: https://www.peruperdu.com/when the orders open.

The pick up address is: PERU PERDU, 74 Princess St, Manchester, M1 6JD

Too Famous to leave the house

Over lockdown Almost Famous have been offering takeaway on its ultimate burger fixes, famous wings and loaded fries via Deliveroo or click and collect Wednesday – Sunday. But now, after a concentrated period of research and development, the home-grown burger heroes have launched FAMOUS AT HOME – a brand new nationwide delivery service full of all the ingredients you need to make its delicious famous burger at home. However, you’ll have to be quick when the FAMOUS AT HOME shop reopens at midday on Sunday 15th Nov as the first 50 sold out in three minutes. To get your Phoenix kit/Nom kit/BaconBacon fries kit, sign up to their newsletter or keep your eye on their countdown https://www.famousathome.shop

2020 11 13 Cloudwater Barrel Beer Glass

Thank brew

Cloudwater Brew Co wants to raise the spirits of those most affected by the new national lockdown by giving them the chance to enjoy a cut-price pint. The Manchester-based brewery is offering a 25 per cent discount on all of its beer to teachers in pre-school, primary and secondary education, hospitality workers, university staff and students until the end of November. Visit here for details on how to apply.

Since the start of the pandemic, Cloudwater has given away £124,062 in discounts to NHS staff and key workers as well as funding hundreds of food care packages provided to NHS staff through Eat Well MCR.

Cloudwater has also given other breweries such as Runaway, Squawk, Mobberley, Pictish, Donzoko, Duration, Boundary and Wild Horse the chance to sell stock via its webshop as a way of helping them to generate vital income. So far, this has brought in almost £184,875 in extra sales for these businesses, making a huge difference to their long-term prospects as the beer industry faces an uncertain future.

Cloudwater Brew Co MD Paul Jones said: “We felt it was important to show gratitude to those people who are facing serious challenges and personal risks.

“Teachers too are doing their very best to educate and safeguard the wellbeing of the country’s children in testing circumstances, and it is a similar situation for university staff and students, who are undoubtedly feeling worried, stressed and perhaps quite lonely right now. We also wanted to show solidarity with hospitality, as this is understandably a sector that’s very close to our hearts and its workers will be among the hardest hit by the new lockdown.”

2020 11 13 New Market Dairy

Pop-up bread and cheese

New Market Dairy, Altrincham has teamed up with Pollen Bakery to host a pop-up cheese shop at the New Islington Marina Bakery, so tasty sourdough breads and artisan made farmhouse cheeses from around the British Isles will be available in one location. 

Members of the New Market Dairy team will be on hand on Saturday 28th November, Saturday 19th December and Wednesday 23rd December to make cheese recommendations should you need some advice. 

Grab some strong Westcombe Cheddar loaded onto a chunk of Pollen 28 Hour Sour; soft creamy Brefu Bach with Pollen’s 5 Seed Sour, or Pollen’s 20% Rye with St Cera, a distinctive washed rind cheese.

Chris Kelly, co-owner of Pollen Bakery said: ‘We’ve been huge fans of New Market Dairy since it opened in Altrincham. So we decided to approach Martin to see if the team at New Market Dairy wanted to host a pop-up cheese shop at our Bakery. We’re big fans of traditional raw milk cheeses and felt that it would be a good way of helping to showcase what the UK’S cheese makers produce, provide our customers with an opportunity to buy artisan cheeses and get some expert advice as to what to buy alongside our handcrafted sourdoughs.'

In the DogHouse

BrewDog announced this week that they are planning to open a beer themed DogHouse Hotel in Manchester next year on the corner of Fountain Street and Marble Street opposite Primark. The 25 bedroom hotel promises beer fridges in the shower and pints of PUNK IPA on tap in every room, as well as a rooftop bar. DogHouse Manchester will become the fourth hotel for the Scottish beer brand, which already has a popular bar on Peter Street. An artist impression of the new hotel shows red murals snaking over the front of the building and an extensive outdoor terrace.

20171102 Street Smart

Streetsmart takeouts

Last year’s StreetSmart campaign raised a whopping £760,000 nationally, with Manchester restaurants raising an incredible £34,000 to help those facing homelessness. The money is usually raised by the addition of a voluntary £1 to diners’ bills during the festive months between 1st November-31st December. However, as restaurants have had to close for the second national lockdown as a result of Covid-19, 2020’s campaign has had to have a re-think. 

StreetSmart is still accepting donations via Justgiving or visit https://streetsmart.org.uk for more information. Many Manchester restaurants have signed up to the scheme including Evuna, Tampopo, Street Urchin, Yang Sing, 20 Stories, Pasta Factory and Noi Quattro, so if you order a take out, please add an additional £1 donation if you are able to.