New in Food: Bundobust, Wreckfish, Maray & more
Manchester gets its own load of okra fries as Bundobust finally opens, mixology maestro Manachain Monaghan sets his sights on Leeds, Liverpool favourites Maray and Mowgli launch new sites and Sticky Walnut's Gary Usher unveils his latest plans
If you're anything like us, you'll sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of new restaurant and bar openings in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. To help you conquer this feeling – and hopefully give you some new ideas for Sunday brunch – we're going to be rounding up the best new openings across the region every month, from craft beer bars to coffee places, to street food pop-ups and fancy restaurants. Opening a new food and drink venue in Leeds, Liverpool or Manchester? Let us know – send the details to jess@theskinny.co.uk.
Indian street food and Monk cocktails in Leeds
The Cat's Pyjamas
Headingley Indian street food and craft beer joint The Cat’s Pyjamas now has a new restaurant in Eastgate, rolling out their Railway Potato Curry, Keralan Prawn Moilee, Paneer Tacos, Goan Chicken Cafreal and much more to the city centre, complete with 16 craft beer taps, continental bottled beers and mango lassis. Open now, Eastgate.
Monk
Mixologist Manachain Monaghan, owner of Monk cocktail bar in nearby Buxton, has set his sights on
Chida Cantina
Leeds-based bartender Robert Jump branches out into the world of Central America with a forthcoming new bar and restaurant Chida Cantina – ‘Chida’ being slang in Mexican for something cool – where it’ll be a double hitter of tequila and tacos. Due to open in Feb.
More from Maray and the Sticky Walnut stable in Liverpool
[Maray Bold Street]
Maray
It’s no surprise, really, that the folk behind Ropewalks’ seasonal small plate oasis Maray are having to head out into the suburbs to cope with the demand of their bijou
Wreckfish
With his crowdfunded third restaurant Hispi settling in nicely to the Manchester suburbs, it seems Gary Usher – of Sticky Walnut and Burnt Truffle repute – is at it again, making his first foray into a city centre with Wreckfish. Set for an empty site in
[Yard and Coop]
Yard and Coop
Manchester chicken hotspot Yard and Coop has now also taken on Liverpool with a new joint in Liverpool ONE. Given that fried chicken competition in the city is already fairly stiff, they'll have their work cut out to impress – which they're aiming to do with artwork from local artists, chicken coop-style seating areas and, erm, a huge tree at the entrance, all bringing a novel touch to the 6,425 sq.ft. space, which is set across the ground floor and basement levels. Open now, Wall Street.
Mowgli
Liverpool’s very own success story Mowgli continues to make the motherland proud with its second hometown restaurant, following up the recent
Okra fries and Jack Daniels slushies in Manchester
[Bundobust, photo: Ben Bentley]
Bundobust
We’re beyond stoked that Bundobust, Leeds’ fabled craft beer and
That’s thanks to the same winning combo of great craft beer and flavour-packed, Gujarati-inspired vegetarian small plates (we love the vada pav, tarka dhal, paneer and mushroom tikka, okra fries, egg bhurji and, of course, that buttery flatbread), all housed in a vast space, well lit for a unit below street level thanks to a beauty of a skylight. Open now, Piccadilly Gardens.
West Corner
Following the success of nautical-themed bar Hold Fast, housed in the basement of their Newton Street building, Hatters Hostel group are also launching a new diner in the former Koffee Pot site on Stevenson Square, as part of their extensive refurbishment for their Hilton Chambers branch. The New York-inspired all-day deli, diner and cocktail bar has ex-Hawksmoor chef Romin Farahini at the helm, sourcing produce from local suppliers such as Barbakan Bakery, Out of the Blue and The Butcher’s Quarter round the corner on
Jimmy's
The latest move from One Night Only bandmates (and brothers) George and Jimmy Craig, Jimmy’s is a new Northern Quarter rock bar and live music venue. Bravely filling the shoes of the dearly-departed Roadhouse as
Seven Bro7hers
It’s been some time coming, but local craft brewery Seven Bro7ers are finally up and running with their own beer house on Ancoats’