Catch up on what's new on the MCR food and drink scene this week
The end of winter is nigh, and with it comes a very slight spring in the step, no?
Hope springs eternal. Fingers crossed our souls 'uneasy, and confin'd from home' will be able to get out into the slightly less frigid air and enjoy some good food and drink - even if still socially distanced - in the not too distant future.
You'll all be thrilled to hear that Gordo's already had his first jab.
Meanwhile, we're still in lockdown but there are some new cook-at-home boxes to get excited about including tacos with gravy, Japanese bao and some rather fine steak from a Northern Quarter stable.
Read on for all that and more in our weekly food and drink news roundup:
Bun bao-by bun
We loved Shoryu Ramen’s DIY ramen kits so we welcome the news that they’ve launched a bao version. The DIY Bun Kit comes with everything you need to make four of their classic char siu bbq pork belly buns at home. They obviously haven’t seen how many of these things I can put away in one sitting but Shoryu reckons that’s enough for two people. The kits can be ordered here and will set you back £18 plus delivery. Ramen kits and cocktails (like yuzu jasmine tea and matcha detox cocktail) are also available if you want to make a night of it.
Sugo for Sale
Cult pasta joint Sugo is expanding again, this time it has announced it will open in Sale later in the year. With Rudy’s and a raft of other hip young things lighting up the town, Sale’s food scene is really sizzling. Sugo is known for freshly made pasta so generously doused in unctuous slow-cooked sauces that it's recommended you eat them with a spoon. During the pandemic, Sugo started delivering for the first time but we still have to wait until we can eat in again before getting our chops around that outrageous seafood scoglio.
Have you Herd?
Herd NQ, which opened last year to rave reviews, has launched a pair of steak boxes. Depending on how moo-jie you want to be there is a 35 day aged T-bone steak box at £70 or one with two 30 day aged rump steaks for £58. The boxes include sides of triple cooked beef dripping chips, purple sprouting broccoli and mac n cheese, a choice of sauce and a pair of chocolate orange fondant desserts. Collection only, give them a shout on Insta to order.
Patron Margarita month
It's margarita day on Monday (22 Feb) but that's not enough for Manchester's mixologists or those at The Drinks Drop (aka the fourth emergency service) who deliver cocktails from top bars to your door. They're hosting a margarita month in association with Patron tequila. You can order whichever cocktails tequila your fancy from an impressive list of Manchester bars including Cottonopolis, Wolf At The Door, Escape To Freight Island, One Eight Six and Science & Industry. Margs not your cup o' tequila? There are loads of other cocktails available on the website too.
Mmmm, Birria Brothers!
The Koffee Pot has partnered with a new pop up Birria Brothers for cook at home kits and takeaways. Birria Brothers basically do tacos with a pot of gravy (alright, consommé) on the side for dipping - kinda like a Mexican take on the French dip sandwich. But as great as that sounds (surely everything is improved by dipping it in gravy? #northerncliche) they’re even better than that. We’re not just talking any old tacos but tacos stuffed with eight-hour, slow-cooked beef shin (or goat) and authentic Oaxaca cheese. Apparently, it’s Mexico’s hangover cure and we are drunk with anticipation.
