Simon Shaw’s much-anticipated second restaurant will open on the 20th September
Simon Shaw, the creative director and chef patron of award-winning El Gato Negro, is poised to open his much-anticipated second restaurant in Ancoats next month.
Occupying a prime position in Cutting Room Square, Canto (which means ‘corner’ in Portuguese) will be Manchester city centre’s only Portuguese restaurant, featuring a selection of 'typically Portuguese dishes' brought up to date.
Dishes include clams Bulhão Pato, seafood escabeche and suckling pig turnover
Under the direction of head chef, Carlos Gomes (ex-head chef of Michelin-starred Barrafina Dean Street), the restaurant will offer a broad selection of seasonal small plates, or petiscos - as tapas are known in Portugal - as well as larger dishes to be enjoyed on their own or shared.
The menu, which has just gone live on Canto’s website, includes dishes like octopus lagareiro; pork belly with ‘bairrada’ sauce and potato crisps; grilled aubergine, piso, cow’s milk curd & crisp sea lettuce; seafood escabeche; clams Bulhão Pato, and suckling pig turnover.
“It’s been a real labour of love,” says Gomes. “Many of the dishes we’ll be serving have a real personal connection for me. It will be typically Portuguese and see a good selection of specials that rotate with every season.”
Shaw added: “It’s been on my radar to open a modern Portuguese restaurant for some time. There are some top operators already doing great things in Ancoats, we’re looking forward to joining them and bringing something totally different to the city.”
Canto will open in the unit next door to Rudy's pizza, adding to the new wave of award-winning food and drink businesses recently moved into the area, including Sugo, Pollen and Trove.
Mana, the Hip Hop Chip Shop and Cask are three more planning to open in the area soon.
The neighbourhood restaurant will open six days a week serving brunch, lunch and dinner across the one floor. Bar seating has been installed across the restaurant windows for those wanting to look out and soak up the Ancoats vibe. Canto will also offer a take-out service on select dishes.
Gomes’s team will include chefs Jorge Ibarra and Victor Prieto, who both also worked at Barrafina. Harry Doherty from El Gato Negro will also come on board.
See Canto's website for the full menu. Reservations are open now, email reservations@cantorestaurant.com. Opening hours: Tues-Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10pm.
