Our weekly roundup of upcoming one-off events and special pop-ups you will not want to miss
Fashionable talks, significant birthdays, martini masterclasses, one off events and free pies. There are some excellent and very special things coming up in Manchester next week.
Here’s what’s happening…
Shaken or stirred session
Martinis just seem so grown up with their iconic long-stemmed glasses and ridiculously high alcohol content. But if you’ve ever wondered how to make a proper one, there’s a very special workshop you might want to book a place onto. On the evening of Monday March 20th, Cultureplex have invited internationally renowned bartenders Joe and Daniel Schofield to host a DIY martini masterclass. Using their own Vermouth, years of training and resourceful natures, they will demonstrate the golden ratio of booze before letting you loose with the bottle caps and saucepans to make your own version of the perfect Martini. £20, Booking is essential
Pies for the people
One of Britain’s oldest pie makers, Holland’s Pies, is celebrating British Pie Week by doing what it does best, putting smiles on people’s faces. On Monday 2nd March, between 11am-7pm, the Holland’s Pies Pie patrol van will be on Market Street, Manchester offering FREE classic Potato and Meat Pie or the recently launched Wyke Farm’s Deep Fill Mature Cheese and Onion Pie to busy commuters and tired travellers. They will also give away the odd goody bag plus some lucky random pie lover will have the chance to win a year’s supply of pies.
Trust The Chefs at Edinburgh Castle
A brand-new monthly night is launching next week at Ancoats’ Edinburgh Castle. ‘Trust the Chefs’ will launch on Tuesday 3rd March, giving diners the opportunity to indulge in a blind 5-course tasting menu inspired by locally foraged ingredients, seasonal produce and based on the creativity and passions of the chefs. On the first Tuesday of every month, the Edinburgh Castle team will produce innovative new dishes on a secret menu, enforcing the idea of putting your trust in these talented cooks, and encouraging guests to try new and exciting dishes. Chef Julian Pizer and the kitchen team will also present each dish, giving them the opportunity to talk through their thought process and why they want it to be featured on the menu. This is a one-sitting experience at 7pm. £60 per person, including 5 courses and welcome drink. Booking is essential via bookings@ec-ancoats.com
Hawksmoor Manchester Turns Five
This March, Hawksmoor Manchester will mark its fifth birthday with a week of celebrations. Here are a few special dishes and collaborations -
Kicking off on Monday 2nd, one of Hawksmoor’s Chicken Poutine Barm (triple cooked chips, chicken gravy and cheddar cheese curds stuffed in a traditional barm with extra gravy for dipping) will make a return to the menu for a month and, £1 from every sandwich sold will be donated to the much-loved Wood Street Mission.
On Wednesday, 4th, one-off specials from two of Hawksmoor’s favourite suppliers, The Rare Breed Meat Co. and Brixham Seafish will be available for one day only. Runaway Brewery has brewed two limited edition beers: a Viennese Waltz (amber lager) and a Rhubarb Spritz. Both will be available for the rest of the month. Manchester Gin has also created a special batch of gin using the five botanicals commonly found in Hawksmoor dishes: coriander, juniper, tarragon, kaffir lime leaf, and fennel.
On Thursday, 5th March – the actual birthday – internationally renowned bartenders Joe and Daniel Schofield will take over the bar for the night. Supported by Hawksmoor bar team, they will be making five bespoke cocktails, available from 6 to 9pm, priced at £5 each.
Chanel hopping
The Edwardian Manchester on Peter Street is hosting an intimate ‘In-Conversation’ evening to celebrate the Manchester launch of ‘Chanel: The Impossible Collection’ by illustrious fashion journalist, author and critic, Alexander Fury on Wednesday 11th March.
Taking place in the hotel’s chic social space, 'The Library curated by Assouline', Fury will join British Vogue’s Style Editor, Gianluca Longo, for an in-depth conversation delving into the world of Chanel, from its inception as one of the 20th century’s most illustrious fashion houses to the work of successor Karl Largerfeld’s unexpected and irreverent variations. Guests will be welcomed with a limited-edition, Chanel-inspired cocktail, ‘The Little Black Dress.’ Following the talk, guests are invited to browse The Library’s Assouline collection, where a selection of canapés will be served. Each guest will also have the opportunity to purchase a signed book.
Tickets to A Tribute to Chanel: An Evening at The Library curated by Assouline are priced at £40 and include a bespoke cocktail, canapes and admission to the Q&A with Alexander Fury and Gianluca Longo. Book HERE.
To celebrate the Manchester book launch, The Library curated by Assouline will also be offering themed Afternoon Tea packages including homemade artisan sandwiches, scones and patisseries between 12th March – 12th April. Book HERE or call 0161 835 8959.
Champagne lifestyle
Meanwhile, Peter Street Kitchen launched their spring collaboration with iconic Champagne house Moët & Chandon on Sunday 16th February which goes on until Sunday 19th April.
They have installed a blooming installation of cherry blossom petals and Japanese folding fans in hues of blush and fuchsia, alongside signature tasting menu experiences accompanied by selection of elegant Moët & Chandon Champagnes.
Manchester’s elegant celebrity hotspot is offering a bespoke six-course Omakase menu paired with renowned Moët & Chandon vintages, priced at £120pp. Try rich seared beef tataki with truffle ponzu paired with the bright fruitiness of Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial, or Tiger prawn tempura with wasabi mayo & spicy ponzu alongside Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2012 – chosen to stand up to the dish’s spiciness.
Spoil yourselves with the semi-private seven-course dining experience served on the restaurant’s Hibachi table. Priced at £135pp, delights include Yellowtail sashimi with spicy yuzu soy, King crab tempura with ama ponzu and Chilean sea bass yasai zuke. All perfectly paired with Moët & Chandon Champagnes.
You’re also welcome to pop into Peter Street Kitchen’s bar for The Sakura Blossom; a bespoke cocktail using Roku gin, CEL-24 sake, Pama liqueur, yuzu juice, jasmine & orange foam and finished with Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial.
