Northwest Food News - April 2015

Now that British Summer Time has officially started, it seems appropriate to say that the Northwest’s food scene is growing as voraciously as Simon Rogan’s microherb allotment.

Chef Simon Shaw has confirmed that El Gato Negro, the award-winning Spanish restaurant from Ripponden, has found a new home at 52 King Street in Manchester. Their decade of perfecting authentic tapas dishes surely must have the likes of Ibérica and La Bandera quaking in their boots. Who’s afraid of the big black cat? Opens summer 2015. @ElGatoNegroFood

Liverpool’s Epicured has popped up on our radar recently. At first glance it looks like it's doing the same old sarnies but, upon closer inspection, things appear more interesting: caramelised olives, maple syrup-glazed duck eggs, pistachio-coated marshmallows. They're making a big deal of their charcuterie blocks and brunch menu. Oh, and they brand their tables with an actual bloody branding iron! @epicuredL1

Just around the corner and following not so hotly on the heels of Yardbird is Pattersons Bar (tagline 'chicken and tunes'). They're taking fried chicken very seriously – there's fancy talk of cider and sweet tea brining – and it seems to be paying off. Ordering is done by weight and at £15.50 a kilo it's not going to rival chicken shop prices. @pattersonsbar

Back to Manchester: something called the Urban Cookhouse has opened on Princess Street. With its New York loft theme – exposed lights, plastic chairs, purple/silver colour scheme – it’s more urbane than urban. Food-wise, it’s fusing British and American food with some Asian influences, which sounds good in theory but we’re a little sceptical. @CookhouseMCR

Lastly, if you like lobster and crab rolls, there’s word on the grapevine that Claws & Tails (@ClawsTails) will be doing just that in Manchester. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait too long!