Same but different as Tattu, Canto and El Gato Negro return
As lockdown continues to ease, more of your favourite restaurants are announcing their reopening plans. This week, a trio of small plates aficionados have returned for those who are happy to dine out but they have also introduced new delivery and takeout services for those still exercising caution.
The coming weeks are going to be different, and like everyone else it will take time for us to find our feet
Following government guidelines, stricter hygiene measures will be in place with hand sanitiser, limited group numbers, and even more stringent cleaning procedures. Visit the individual restaurant websites for details of what each venue is doing and what they expect from you as a diner. Staff will be working extremely hard to make things work in this extremely challenging climate, following the protocols they set out is essential to keep them open - and whatever you do, don't be a no show.
El Gato Negro - open now
El Gato's top floor bar with a retractable roof has been a favourite of those in the know for a while, but it also turns out to be a great solution for lockdown easing as it offers an airy al fresco dining solution. Hopefully the warmer weather predicted will make this a perfect sun spot.
The restaurant will be open Thursday-Sunday with extended hours for food including the ability to order food until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, meaning late night dining is an option - in perfectly continental style for those missing out on a European holiday this year. Bargain hunters will be happy to see the return of the popular three for £15 menu at selected times.
- Thursday, food service 12-10pm, general service 12pm-12am
- Friday, food service 12pm-12am, general service 12pm-2am
- Saturday, food service 12pm-12am, general service 12pm-2am
- Sunday, food service 12-9pm, general service 12pm-12am
Canto - opening Thursday 16th July
El Gato’s Portuguese-inspired sister site also reopens this week. Food will be served until 10pm Thursday to Saturday and 9pm on a Sunday and drinks will be available until close at 12am. Popular dining deals will continue, like Tipsy Tapas at weekends with 90 minutes of bottomless Cava, Bellini, or house wine along with three tapas dishes per head for £30pp.
If you’re still reluctant to go out to eat, you’ll be pleased to hear that Canto is now offering a new take-out service. The new collection menu includes favourites like beef steak and caramelised onion on Madeiran-style caco bread, mushroom croquetas with black garlic mayo, and chargrilled sweet potato with tzatziki. Drinks are also available for collection.
Chef patron and creative director of El Gato Negro and Canto, Simon Shaw, said: “It’s good to be back. It sounds like a cliché, but we really are a family at El Gato Negro & Canto, and it feels great to return to the restaurants with the team. The coming weeks are going to be different, and like everyone else it will take time for us to find our feet, but we’re looking forward to reopening the doors in Manchester and doing what we do best.
“The safety of our guests and our team is, as always, of paramount importance to us and we’ve introduced a number of new measures in line with government guidelines to ensure we provide a safe and comfortable dining experience for all.
“We’re fortunate that we’ve been able to introduce social distancing at all our restaurants with relative ease, with El Gato Negro’s top floor restaurant, complete with retractable roof, and additional outdoor seating at Canto, providing the perfect spaces in which to dine alfresco.
“It’s been a difficult period for everyone and there’s some hard work to be done, but we’re confident we’ll get back on track and are looking forward to being reunited with so many familiar faces.”
Tattu - opening Thursday 16th July
Over in Spinningfields, Tattu is also reopening on Thursday 16th July with new dishes on the menu and a new ‘at-home’ dining concept.
New additions to the à la carte menu include surf and turf shumai dumplings with beef short rib and sticky red prawn, kung po king prawn with chilli, garlic and onion and a modern riff on the very retro caramel banana fritters for dessert.
For the stay home crew, there’s 'Tattu to You’ offering dishes and cocktails - including the infamous Skull Candy cocktail - delivered to your door by Deliveroo or arranged as a click and collect. Order via their website.
To help create the genuine atmosphere, there will also be a scannable QR code that links to an exclusive playlist of Tattu’s resident DJ mixes to bring the vibes home.
For now, the opening hours are Monday-Thursday 5-10.30pm, Friday and Saturday 12-10.30pm and Sunday 12-10pm. Advanced booking is required - up to six people only.
