IT seems yonks (fourteen months to be precise) since Confidential broke the news that West Yorkshire's award-winning tapas restaurant, El Gato Negro, was jumping ship to Manchester.
In the time since El Gato Negro announced the move, Manchester has seen the likes of Iberica, La Bandera and Lunya nip in there and steal a good deal of that Spanish thunder
Originally chef Simon Shaw and his backers, Mills Hill Developments, had earmarked the site of Raymond Blanc’s failed brasserie on Chapel Walks for the restaurant. However the deal fell through within a couple of months due to 'issues with the landlord'.
No matter, two months later and the gang had secured a more handsome site, this time within an elegant three-storey mid-Victorian unit on King Street – a drag slowly pulling itself out from the post-recession doldrums.
Today they’ve announced the date of their official opening, Friday 22 February, following three days of soft launch from 19-21 February (sign-up here for some soft opening grub).
52 King StreetEl Gato Negro will boast a bar lounge and charcuterie at street-level, a restaurant on the first floor, plus The Black Cat cocktail bar – featuring a retractable roof - at the top of the building.
“With El Gato Negro Manchester, we explore a menu of new and old Spanish flavours and techniques alongside some of the country’s best wines and a new bar offering in a heritage city venue,” says the restaurant’s Chef Patron and founder Simon Shaw.
“We’ve taken care to make this a venue that will appeal to those looking to drop by for half an hour over a selection of tapas and a glass of wine or sherry, as much as it will for those taking time to enjoy a bigger occasion.
“We’re very much looking forward to opening our doors.”
So are we, Mr Shaw.
Still, in the time since El Gato Negro announced the move, Manchester has seen the likes of Iberica, La Bandera and Lunya nip in there and steal a good deal of that Spanish thunder. What’s more, they’ve done it with aplomb.
What waits to be seen is whether Shaw and Co. can plant la Rojigualda on King Street and stake a claim, prove to Manchester they've been worth the wait. Previous form suggests they just might be.
El Gato Negro opens at 52 King Street from 19 February
