Restaurant News for Manchester, Liverpool and NW from Onionring.co.uk

Roll up, roll up! (Cafe at the Walls)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Cafe at the Walls (Chester, Cheshire) on 20/05/2013
The fantastic CAFE AT THE WALL in Chester are offering any hungry diners the opportunity to take their amazing Ultimate Meat feast burger challenge! This is an ultimate meat feast not for the fainthearted and consists of:

2 x 1/4 lb beef burgers

2 x battered chicken fillets

2 x bacon

2 x hash browns

cheese all in a soft white bap served with homemade chips, onion rings, salad and homemade coleslaw. Think you can handle the challenge? Clear your plate within 25 minutes and get your ultimate meat feat burger for FREE! If you can�t clear your plate you will be charged �10.95. You must clear your plate within 25 minutes.

Sunday Roasts with a view (Edgars Riverside Eating)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Edgars Riverside Eating (Chester, Cheshire) on 20/05/2013
Chester�s luxurious period hotel, Edgar House is stepping up their dining with the addition of Phil Dougherty (of Gleneagles, Chester Grosvenor, Chester Racecourse fame) who will be overseeing their Riverside Eating. Not only this, but from this Sunday (26th May), you will be able to enjoy the best meal of the week in style with their Traditional English Sunday Roasts. Choose to dine inside with the stunning contemporary elegance of the panel-walled Library, or outside (weather permitting!) in their Riverside Garden, with possibly the best view in Chester - on top of the City Walls overlooking the River Dee and the Old Dee Bridge. Not sure if it�s the locally sourced pork, succulent beef joints or the giant sharing Yorkshire puddings; but something tells us this will be very busy � hence why they are taking reservations on 01244 347 007. Enjoy the bank holiday Sunday in style, at Edgars Riverside Eating from 1100-1800, every Sunday.

The pride of Knutsford...Veteran�s celebrate St George�s Day (Rose N Crown Chophouse)

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Rose N Crown Chophouse (Knutsford, Cheshire) on 14/05/2013
The Cheshire town of Knutsford had patriotism in copious amounts this Tuesday lunchtime (23rd April), as the Rose n Crown Chop House welcomed local veterans to a special lunch, celebrating St George�s Day. Recognising the achievements of those remarkable individuals in attendance, as well as paying tribute to those who have passed away, the chop house also made a generous donation to Help for Heroes, the renowned military charity. Veteran�s met at the rear of the Rose n Crown Chop House, before being led, by a piper (recognising the �military� connection), on the short walk via the �Royal George� alley (now known as Regent Street) to the front door of the Rose n Crown. Passers-by on King Street stopped, as did traffic, to witness the parade, as veterans were welcomed by a round of applause. Once inside the venue, the veteran�s enjoyed a traditional English, St George�s Day lunch, consisting of leek and potato soup, Cheshire/Shropshire farmed roast beef, Massey�s potatoes, apple pie and a local/regional cheese selection. The lunch was complimented by two speeches recognising the occasion, and an official donation hand-over to Help For Heroes, received by regular fundraiser Kane Gunter, who spent 12 years in the army as a member of the Royal Corps of Signals. Matthew Mooney, owner of the Rose n Crown, as well as long standing neighbouring venue The Belle Epoque, exclaimed �I am delighted that we have been able to recognise the bravery and huge achievements of each and every one of the veteran�s here today. We have always supported charities such as the British Legion and Help for Heroes, as public awareness of the �aftermath of war� can be limited, once they no longer occupy the front pages of newspapers. Quite frankly, It is an honour just to serve the veteran�s a lunch, after the sacrifice they and their families have made on our behalf�. Also commenting on the success of the event, Operations Director Richard Walker exclaimed �The lunch has been a great success and an honour to host. I am delighted that the veteran�s have been able to come and enjoy a lunch with us, and also experienced the patriotic reception that they so much deserve from the people of Knutsford�.

The Belle Epoque takes to the red carpet � Knutsford restaurant caters for celebrity launch party (Belle Epoque)

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Belle Epoque (Knutsford Cheshire) on 14/05/2013
Celebrities attending the Manchester launch of �The Wreck My Dress Experience�, enjoyed a host of sumptuous canap�s, after organiser�s called upon Knutsford�s The Belle Epoque. VIP�s from Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, MTV and also from films including Gladiator, Clash of the Titans, Harry Potter, Titanic and Braveheart were all in attendance at the red carpet event, held at a �2.6m filming mansion. The Belle Epoque saw its logo feature on the red carpet brand boards as guests such as Kym Marsh, Gemma Merna, Lucy Pargeter, Gaynor Faye, Natalie Anderson and Simon Gregson posed for regional, national and international press photographers. The launch party, which saw almost 200 VIP and celebrity guests, approached The Belle Epoque owing to its consistent reliability and outstanding reputation according to a spokesperson for the organising team. �With a variety of VIP guests, and such influential individuals in attendance, we wanted to make sure they were treated to the very best. We knew The Belle Epoque would provide us with a well thought out variety of canap�s, as well as preparing the freshest ingredients.� Guests and celebrities had high praise for the Cheshire restaurant. Emmerdale�s Gaynor Faye commented �The canap�s were just gorgeous! My favourite was the mini rosemary muffins. I think I may have to sample more of The Belle Epoque�s menu next time I am in Manchester�. Fellow Emmerdale star Emma Atkins, also commented on her love of the canap�s �Really gorgeous and very tasty. Would love to try more of the menu!� The launch event drew huge media attention, as a live Hollywood stunt explained the concept, acted out by production and stunt teams from Hollywood blockbusters. Matthew Mooney, MD of The Belle Epoque as well as neighbouring Rose n Crown Chop House, exclaimed �I am delighted to have been asked to cater for such a VIP launch event. We have worked previously with a host of celebs, and we look forward to welcoming a new wave of them to the Belle Epoque in our 40th anniversary year�. The menu consisted of Mini Rosemary Muffins, Feta Pine Nut and Basil Filo Rolls, Ricotta Sage and Roast Pepper Pancakes, and Roquford and Spinach Palmiers.

Win a Taittinger Champagne hot air balloon flight with the New Moon Pub Co (The Lord Binning)

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by The Lord Binning (Tarporley, Cheshire) on 14/05/2013
Two lucky Champu drinkers, with a friend each, will win this once in a lifetime opportunity to get a birds eye view of the beautiful English countryside accompanied by some fabulous Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blanc Champagne. Of course there is a downside - you do have to drink one of the best Champagnes to enter, just purchase a bottle of any Taittinger Champagne at any of the New Moon Pubs, fill in your details on the neck-tag and you will be entered into the draw for this fabulous prize worth hundreds of pounds. Your flight is booked for Tuesday 17th September 2013 in Durham in North East England. The draw will take place on August 26th - Bank Holiday Monday (promotion ends Midday on Monday 26th August 2013). For full terms and conditions, head over to this website.

New Menus at The Bubble Room, Bramhall (The Bubble Room)

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by The Bubble Room (Bramhall, Cheshire ) on 14/05/2013
The Bubble Room have launched their new menus. Come and join them and try out the new seasonal dishes!

Byron To Bring �Proper Hamburgers� To Manchester (Byron Hamburgers)

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Byron Hamburgers (Manchester) on 13/05/2013
Byron is planning to bring �proper hamburgers� to Manchester when it opens its doors for the first time this June. Situated at the junction of Deansgate and John Dalton Street, the new restaurant will serve diners with hamburgers made the way they should be � with good beef sourced from Scottish farms and minced freshly each morning, cooked pink - and placed in a soft, squishy bun with a pickle on the side. Customers can supplement their order with an array of side dishes and salads, including courgette fries, macaroni cheese, Caesar salad and tortilla chips. A selection of desserts, including Eton mess, rocky road, chocolate brownie or caramel and honeycomb sundae, round-off the menu. Alongside these, there is a strong craft beer list which includes Camden Hell�s Lager and Brooklyn Lager, alongside Byron�s own Pale Ale - created exclusively by the Camden Town Brewery. Byron plans to regularly update its list of craft beers which are available alongside a five-strong list of Kentucky bourbons. Specialising in �proper hamburgers�, Byron was founded by Tom Byng in 2007, with the first Byron opening on Kensington High Street that year. During a four-year stint in America, Tom ate enough hamburgers to sink the Titanic. His favourite diner was the Silver Top in downtown Providence, Rhode Island. The hamburgers were simple, tasty things � a bit messy, but made with good quality meat and only the classic adornments: some lettuce, tomato, red onion, and maybe a slice of cheese or bacon. Back in London, Tom realized that there weren�t any restaurants offering hamburgers like those at the Silver Top. And so the idea for Byron was born: to do one thing, and do it properly. Byron have a few restaurants now but their vision remains the same: to keep serving proper hamburgers the way they should be.

Senorita Mels been out on the town again... (La Vina)

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by La Vina (Manchester) on 13/05/2013
The minute Mel entered the doors to La Vina Deansgate she knew she was in for a good night as jugs of sangria flew past en route to tables full of empty plates and smiling faces.

The worlds happiest waitress directed Mel and Jannine (or as we like to call her plus one) to their table. There was a great atmosphere, warm, cosy and extremely friendly, which was a great escape from the rain and howling winds outside.

La Vina is the kind of restaurant where you never have the misfortune of an empty glass (exactly how Mel likes it). The staff are very attentive and knowledgeable and can tell you pretty much anything you would ever need to know about the food.

What Mel loves about tapas is you can try a variety of dishes therefore greatly reducing the possibility of the dreaded food envy and, as predicted, she ordered as much as humanly possible from the menu.

The order began with the most delicious olives she had ever tasted with plus one who hates olives actually asking for more! La Vina was off to a good start but what followed was so unbelievable its difficult to know where to begin...

At this point the table was almost full, pan-fried sweet little green peppers with extra-virgin olive oil & sea salt, crispy fried baby squid served with alioli & lemon, succulent shoulder steak Iberico pork from Salamanca and a variety of meats, tuna and breads.

Everything on the table was fresh, well cooked and incredibly tasty. Some of the nicest food Mel and plus one had ever tasted, the sort of meal where you will your stomach not to tell your brain its full. As you can imagine even with the copious amounts of food ordered there were empty plates all round.

After consulting her diet book Mel decided to ignore it and order two desserts. Mel and plus one had decided on San Simon (which she would like to point out is not the name of her waiter but a delicious semi-cured birch wood smoked cheese from Galicia) and Churros with a hot chocolate sauce for dipping. A perfect end to a perfect night.

Anyway, Mels going back to bed to dream about Sangria and her next visit to La Vina...

GVine Gin Tasting Notes & Cocktail Recipe (Onionring)

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Onionring () on 10/05/2013
G�Vine, handcrafted in France, seems to have redefined the frontiers of the gin category, erasing traditional ideas and changing the perception of this centuries-old spirit. While most of the world�s gin is made from grain spirit, G�Vine Gin is crafted from grape spirit which creates a silky, luxurious feel. France�s Cognac region is the birthplace of G�Vine, using Ugni Blanc grapes which in every September, are harvested and immediately pressed and converted to wine. The result is then distilled in a column still producing a neutral grape spirit over 96.4 % abv. Unlike traditional grain spirit associated with Gin production, the neutral grape spirit is significantly smoother with a heady body. Once a year, in mid-June, the rare green grape flower blossoms but only exists for just a few days before maturing into a grape berry. This delicate flower is immediately hand picked and carefully macerated in the neutral grape spirit over a period of several days to obtain the best floral essence. The infusion is then distilled in a small Florentine pot still. As the neutral grape spirit and the green grape flower infusion are nurtured, nine fresh whole-fruit botanicals of juniper berries, ginger root, liquorice, cassia bark, green cardamom, coriander, cubeb berries, nutmeg and lime are macerated over a two to five day process. Small bespoken liquor stills are used to insure the best quality. In the final step, the green grape flowers infusion, the botanicals distillates and more neutral grape spirit are blended together and undergo a final distillation in a copper pot still affectionately nicknamed �Lily Fleur.� G�Vine embodies the vine�s life cycle, resulting in G�Vine Floraison and G�Vine Nouaison. The two products represent the evolution of the grape through its various stages, from the blossoming period right through to the harvest. G�Vine Floraison captures the essence of the exhilarating fragrance of the vineyard when the vine flower blooms to life, and the warmth of the arrival of summer. whilst G�Vine Nouaison captures the emotion around the birth of the berry. So with a unique process of creation compared to your traditional gin brands, lets see what they represent when each G�Vine is sipped - G�Vine Floraison � 40% GVine Floraison Winning gold at the International Review of Spirits in 2007 and 2008 and a silver medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. On the nose there�s a clean, crisp scent with a slight sweetness lingering with ginger making an easy appearance as it enters your palate. A fresh floral hit to begin with but mellows out rather quickly with the flavours of juniper and ginger leaving a lasting, slightly dry finish. G�Vine Nouaison � 43.9% Winning gold at the Drinks International Gin Challenge in 2008. A cleaner, more forest aroma on the nose which turns into a richer, sweeter, and fruitier flavour on the palate. Hints of citrus and cinnamon create small bursts in your mouth that leaves a rather silky feel that evolves into a fruity after-taste. If I was to pick between the two, the Nouaison would be my preferred choice, with its richer sweetness on the palate (perfect for sweet tooth drinkers!). Both G�Vine products are considered premium gins and you can expect to pay around �25-30 retail. G�Vine has also created its very own Gin Connoisseur Program, and now in its third year, it searches for the most gifted gin-loving bartender in the world. In addition to challenging bartenders with the basics of hands-on cocktail creation, the contest also includes some seriously academic elements that set this competition a world apart from the typical shake-off. Winners of this years programme will receive the title of G�Vine Gin Connoisseur 2012, $3,000, a platinum pin worth 800 �, a trophy, a trip to Tales of the Cocktail 2012 and a trip to Bar Convent Berlin 2012 as well as a year�s supply of G�Vine gin for his or her bar. So no pressure. Enter here. If your not in the bar trade, or just fancy creating some cocktails, try out some of the recipes below, or better still, ask your local bartender to create. Enjoy! G�Vine Ruby GVine Ruby Glass - Champagne Flute Ingredients - 45ml G�Vine Nouaison 15ml Cherry cream 15ml Blackcurrant cream 7.5ml Simple syrup 15ml Lemon juice 15ml Pomegranate juice 45ml Brut Champagne Method - Pour all ingredients in a mixing glass, except the champagne, then add ice, shake and strain into a flute and top off with Champagne. Garnish with a kumquat floret and orange zest. G�Literring Fruits Gliterring Fruits Glass - Champagne Flute Ingredients - 60ml G�Vine Floraison 3 Kumquats 2/6 Lime�s 15ml Ginger-elderflower syrup or simple syrup 30ml Brut Champagne Method � Muddle the kumquats, lime and syrup then pour G�Vine Floraison. Add ice, shake and double strain into a cocktail glass containing the Champagne. Garnish with a kumquat flower and raspberry in the middle. To check out some more photos of G�Vine gin, head over to my Facebook page.

DrinksEnthusiast - Whats On Round Up (Onionring)

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Onionring () on 10/05/2013
A busy couple of weeks have been had in the city of Manchester! There have been rum, master classes, shows and whisky to enjoy, and yours truly could be seen at them all. The Manchester Whisky Club rolled back into The Lass o Gowrie two Thursdays ago with founder Andy Duckworth bringing along 6 expressions to form his �Old and Rare� evening. With names such as Secret Stills, Tormore, Littlemill, Linkwood and Glen Keith, any whisky fanatic would know that these are not to be overlooked. With the club expanding over the next few months, there will be plenty of chance to come down and enjoy the delights of whisky in an informal environment. Next month, Stephen Carberry, the brand ambassador of Jameson, will be coming down to talk everything about Irish whisky! Fast-forward to Tuesday and Appleton rum came into town, offering a trail to a host of VIP�s and taking in sights such as Blackdog Ballroom in the Northern Quarter, the new DogBowl on Whitworth Street, The Northern Quarter Bar & Restaurant and finishing in The Liars Club. We tried out some of the classic rum cocktails including a Appleton Mai Tai using their VX, Grand Marnier, lime and orgeat syrup, a Jamaican Buck and a Dog Rum Punch that came with a heavy dose of Appleton, pomegranate, pineapple and ting. Tots of their 12yr expression were also consumed, as were canap�s and ribs that topped off a worthwhile evening. Expect to see more of Appleton in the coming months as they launch their #DiscoverRum evenings. The Boutique Bar Show is written into each bartender�s calendar as soon as the date is announced. The North�s biggest drinks only trade show played host at the Manchester Town Hall on Wednesday and brought along with it names such as Chase, Sipsmith, Ron Zacapa, -ish, Sloane�s and Konik�s Tail. The Boutique Bar Show, created by Andrew Scutts, gives the drinks industry the chance to �try before you buy� new expressions, up and coming names and to re-acquaint with industry folk. Without this, Manchester would be lagging behind with the trends, and would never be able to host the biggest cocktail master class in the UK � Cocktails in the City. The Town Hall was transformed the next day into a room full of pop up bars. The idea is to pitch a brand alongside a venue and come up with a cocktail to showcase to the public on the night. As you can imagine, a fair few signed up including Harvey Nichols and Chase Marmalade, Cloud 23 collaborated with Ron Zacapa, Calle 23 went with Mojo�s and El Dorado showcased with The Liars Club. I was lucky enough to be a judge on the evening, looking for the best cocktail, bar and personality. The winners haven�t been announced yet, but make sure you check each out for the cr�me de la cr�me that Manchester offers! Speaking of judging, I helped crown the winner of this weeks Brugal rum cocktail competition on Wednesday. Pitting teams from Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, they had to create a Brugal punch utilising their cities heritage, teamwork and of course cocktail making skills! The �Manchester Tarts� won the competition aka Susie Wong and Clementine Beach of Epernay and Charlene Holt and Veronika Bartakovičov� of Apotheca. I�m sure if you ask nicely, they�ll recreate their winning delight!

Newhall Polo estate hosts fundraiser (New Hall Estate)

Thu, 9 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by New Hall Estate (Knutsford, Cheshire) on 09/05/2013
KNUTSFORD property developer Andrew Irlam and events planner James Golden are urging polo fans to saddle up for the town�s first ever tournament. They are hosting a two-day equestrian event in the grounds of Andrew�s Newhall Polo estate in June which will see hundreds gather to watch players compete for the Newhall cup. Polo is known as the sport of kings and its fast-paced adrenaline-fuelled matches attract royalty and both wealthy and horse-loving audiences for both the spectacle on the pitch, as well as the glamour off it. A keen player himself, Andrew has been developing his Over Peover home on Stocks Lane with his passion for the game in mind since taking it over in 2004. Andrew, 41, said: �I�ve been involved with polo for more than 10 years and when I bought Newhall Farm one of the things that struck me was how flat the ground was. �That makes it ideal as a polo field - I couldnt have wished for a better setting in the heart of the stunning Cheshire countryside. �I have ponies myself and have traveled to Argentina to learn as much as I can about the sport, so I think the event will be a real coup for Over Peover. �We�re only a small hamlet in Cheshire and I think it would be amazing for the community to be able to enjoy the polo ground here and to hold an event that will put us on the map.� Andrew�s family are already involved in Cheshire Polo Club, and he�s hoping their members will join riders from across the UK to play in the matches. Each game will see four Players and their horses play four/six fast paced chukkas, each lasting seven minutes. Event planner James Golden from Gin and Jag is anticipating the event will attract the trendy Cheshire set, including stars of the stage and screen, many of who live in the area. James said: �We want it to be fun and glamorous. It�s a chance for the girls to get dressed up and stamp the divots. �We�re hoping for lots of locals to come along as well as respected polo players, and the ultimate team member would of course be Prince Harry! �Andrew has fantastic grounds here and we�re very excited about hosting our first event this year which we envisage will become a regular fixture on the polo calendar.� There will be a Harvey Nichols Ladies Day match on Thursday June 27th followed by afternoon tea, entertainment and fashion show. The second event, The Suttons & Robertsons Cup on Saturday June 29th, will be held in the evening where guests will enjoy a polo match followed by dinner and dancing into the small hours. Tickets for Ladies� Day are priced at �55 per person and will include champagne on arrival and afternoon tea, with each guest taking home a goodie bag packed with treats. Fashionistas can peruse the Harvey Nichols beauty village and jewellery once the polo is over. The evening event is priced at �950 for a table of 10 and includes drinks on arrival and four course dinner. The party will finish at 12 midnight. To find out more contact Gin and Jag on 01565 653 980.

Indian Beer (Blue Ginger)

Thu, 9 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Blue Ginger (Middlewich, Cheshire) on 09/05/2013
Blue Ginger serve a variety of alcohol including specially selected Indian beers to compliment your food

The Boot and Slipper closing for refurb (Boot and Slipper Inn)

Thu, 9 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Boot and Slipper Inn (Wettenhall, Cheshire) on 09/05/2013
The Boot and Slipper will be closing for refurb on Monday 13th May. Our new look will be unveiled at 6pm on Friday 17th May and we would like you to join us for a Hog Roast and Live Music. Normal food service resumes Saturday 18th May

Manchester�s Kahl�a Coffee House Announces Extension & New Collaborations (Kahlua Coffee House)

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Kahlua Coffee House (Northern Quarter, Manchester) on 07/05/2013
Due to popular demand, Kahl�a, the original Mexican coffee liqueur, today announces Kahl�a Coffee House, its first creative food and drink experience, located in Manchester�s Northern Quarter, is to extend its run and work in collaboration with bars across the city. Inspired by the unique heritage of Veracruz, Mexico, Kahl�a Coffee House, a temporary takeover of the Market Restaurant at 104 High Street, features two floors of Mexican inspired coffee cocktails, food, free film screenings and free cocktail masterclasses. Launched by local hospitality favourites Teacup on Thomas Street and cocktail masters The Liquorists, the vibrant venue opened on 29th March for a month but has proved such a big hit it�s now set to stay open for a second month, closing on the 26th May. The hugely popular coffee and cocktail masterclasses with The Liquorists and Coffee Circle continue every Thursday, Friday and Saturday upstairs in the speakeasy style room, Salon de Kahl�a alongside the free film screenings on Thursdays at 8pm. The Liquorists will be taking a break 9th-11th May, making way for guest bars from across the city to stage their own Salon de Kahl�a takeover. Hula, Epernay and Dusk Til Pawn are among the first bars to sign up to host (free) guest masterclasses. Plans are also underway for a special closing party on the final weekend (Sat 25th May) when Kahl�a Coffee House will be participating in Fiesta del Fuego (The Fire Party) collaboration - a raw and cooked chilli festival with competitions, games, bars and stalls, to be held on High Street. Twitter followers are in for a treat as a host of special competitions, giveaways, promotions and special events will be offered exclusively to tweeters following @KahluaUK #Kahluacoffeehouse in the final month.

Win big this month at The Coach House! (Coach House)

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Coach House (Chester, Cheshire) on 07/05/2013
Enter this months competition to have a great chance to win a meal for two (2 courses each) plus your favourite dessert cooked by the chef! Simply tell us your favourite dessert to have a chance to dine here next month!

Win wine and �50 at Il Forno (Il Forno)

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Il Forno (Liverpool) on 07/05/2013
Win a fantastic �50 voucher plus a bottle of house wine at Il Forno in Liverpool! �The Times� voted Il Forno as one of the top ten authentic Italian restaurants in the UK and this is a great opportunity to enjoy the wonderful food there. Simply tell us above what the word Il Forno means in English! Is it a) barbeque b) the oven or c) fire.

New Seasonal Menus at The Victoria (The Victoria)

Tue, 7 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by The Victoria (Altrincham, Cheshire) on 07/05/2013
The Victoria have launched their new menus. The Spring to Summer menu features Seared Salmon Fillet Risotto - perfectly creamy and with a hit of lemon... delicious!!! The Early Evening menu still overs fantastic menu and a wonderful choice of dishes... 2 Courses �13.95 or 3 Courses �16.95, orders must be placed by 6.45 pm Monday � Thursday (6.15 pm Friday).

Italy�s top female winemakers in Bakerie wine store tasting (Bakerie)

Fri, 3 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Bakerie (Northern Quarter, Manchester) on 03/05/2013
Bakerie, the Northern Quarters best independent wine store, has two major tasting events to kick-start the month of May. The Bakerie Spring Wine Fair takes over the whole shop in Faraday Street, behind Lever Street, in Manchester over the weekend of May 10-11. More than 40 wines - many part of a fresh selection and exclusive to Bakerie in Manchester - have been chosen by expert wine-seller Dale Meakin. They will showcase the everyday drinking wines, plus more unusual and celebratory bottles across all price points. Dale and his knowledgeable team will be on hand to talk about the wines selected in an informal setting. The Wednesday before the wine fair, May 8 at 6.30pm, sees two of Italy�s top female wine producers visiting Bakerie to deliver a double tasting. Anna Mazzolini from Grillo in Friuli makes tiny quantities of wines using well-known grapes such as sauvignon and merlot as well as more obscure (to UK tastes) indigenous varieties such as ribolla gialla, schioppettino and guardafuoco. Susanna Grassi from I Fabbri is a very prestigious producer whose Chianti graces the European Parliament in Brussels and The Council of Ministers in Luxembourg. Her family has been making Chianti and fine olive oil since the 1600s on the famed slopes of the hills of Lamole, in the heart of todays Chianti Classico region, just above Greve. Dale Meakin said: �Female wine-makers are still something of a minority in the wine world and it is great to have two of Italy�s most respected producers in Manchester to share their wines with us. �Meeting the wine-maker, drinking their wine while finding out how it made, why they use certain grapes is the best and most enjoyable way to develop a real understanding of a wine. �I Fabbri is an ancient blacksmiths vineyard 500m above the sea halfway between Florence and Siena. Rich centuries-old terraces are shaped like a natural amphitheatre facing south by south-west to guarantee the right amount of heat and sunlight. �It�s also the sandstone terrain with its perfect drainage that gives the sangiovese grapes a very delicate floral bouquet with notes of violets and chestnuts. �The Grillo vineyard is in the hills to the north-east of Venice. Some years ago, Anna ditched the ubiquitous pinot grigio, chardonnay and pinot blanco to concentrate on growing local grapes such as friulano and ribolla gialla, which I believe make much more satisfying and relevant wines that are indicative of the Fruili region.�

Wines of Grillo and I Fabri: Wednesday May 8 at 6.30pm. Tickets �15

Spring Wine Fair: Friday May 10 from 6-8pm, Saturday May 11 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. Tickets are �15 for each session. All ticket sales in advance only from Bakerie Wine Store or by phone 0161 236 9014 (option 2 for the wine store). The Bakerie wine store and tasting room also has Manchester�s only Enoteca � a wine jukebox dispensing short hits of quality wine from as little as 60p a glass. Bakerie�s owners have now also opened Manchester�s first Pie & Ale Bar next door with a top selection of real ales and unique recipe pies made and baked in Bakerie�s own bread ovens fresh every day.

The 2013 Pizza Idol Winner is Announced! (Ring O Bells)

Fri, 3 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Ring O Bells (Chester, Cheshire) on 03/05/2013
The cook off final took place at the Ring O� Bells on Tuesday April 30th with Eliza Rose taking the top place. Early morning, on Tuesday 30th April three pupils from Christleton Primary School and three from Waverton Primary School came to the Ring O� Bells to turn their pizza ideas into reality. Together with pizza chef Karol Golas they created their ideas and experienced what it is like to cook in a professional kitchen. The finished outcome was amazing, each pupil created a pizza that was unique and delicious! It was extremely hard for owner Ian Wade and Head Chef Andy King to choose a winner. Eventually they did and it was Eliza Rose from Christleton Primary who took the title of Pizza Idol 2013 with her delicious creation. Eliza created a Moroccan Lamb pizza which went down extremely well with the judges! Eliza�s pizza will be featured on the new spring/summer menu. The level of the finalists was so strong this year that there will also be a "Pizza Idol Pizza" on the new menu with a name check to all finalists & an amalgamation of ingredients to create a special pizza. Owner Ian Wade say�s �Every year the quality of the entries gets stronger & 2013 was another vintage year Thanks to everyone involved, we can�t wait to get the pizzas onto our new menu!� Thanks must be given to the team at the Ring O� Bells for organising the event again, the pupils for their imaginative ideas and a special thanks to David Harker of Christleton Primary & Sue Buckley of Waverton Primary for their help & involvement.

Mel becomes Carrie Bradshaw (Rosso)

Thu, 2 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Message by Rosso (Manchester) on 02/05/2013
After a hard day�s work slap bang in the middle of this sunny week, Mel needed a drink. Little did Mel know that this drink would turn into a session trying all sorts of Willy Wonka alchemy from the brand spanking new #5 @ 5 cocktail menu at Rosso. Basically from 5pm-8pm Monday to Friday, you can go to the chic cocktail bar at Rosso and unwind with their very happy hour supping on delicious en-vogue �5 cocktails each jam-packed with contemporary Italian flavours whilst retaining the classic traditional techniques. Mel likes a drink, and also a saving on drinking so this was ideal. She decided to start at the top and go through every one of them.....all for the reader�s benefit of course. First up was the pretty feminine Rossini made up of Briotett Creme de Bergamot Liquer, Prosecco and a house-made wild strawberry puree. Similar to a Bellini, this stunning aromatic and elegant drink was summer in a glass and was finished off with a beautiful purple edible flower emitting lavender flavours resembling a Parma Violet sweet. Next was the Capri Collins which can only be described as kissing a lemon. Zesty Limoncello drizzled over a tart lemon sorbet and then Tanqueray Gin on top; it is the ultimate palette cleanser. Quickly followed by possibly the best mojito Mel�s ever encountered and probably the best to illustrate how clever the good people at Rosso are. This is an Italian mojito you see and one you�d come back to again and again. Strawberries and fresh basil muddled together with Pampero Blanco Rum then lifted to another dimension with Galliano Balsamico (seriously!)....blimey this really was something special and not a sprig of mint in sight. Once Mel gathered herself from this delight and tucked into some delicious large olives; perhaps the Cerignola variety keeping with the Italian vibe, she drank up the relaxed atmosphere with live music from a rather good singer belting out �rat pack� style songs. Whilst this was going on, Mel�s cocktail king was busy fashioning the last of the five delectable cocktails from this extremely low price menu. This included a rather fruity cosmopolitan made up of Ketel One Citroen Vodka, Luxardo Marashino, and with cherry and blackberry flavours. Imagine the cherry sherbet in a double-dip and then pour some booze on it. This was special and Mel was suddenly Carrie from Sex & The City. The last one from this menu (it was now 7.50pm) was the gutsy Pompelmo Sour; homemade grapefruit infused Ketel One Vodka with another en-vogue Italian liqueur Aperol which is a bitter orange type of flavour and went very well with the bitters and grapefruit taste. One to end on certainly as it tasted very strong; not in booze but flavouring; bit like marmite but in a glass and not on toast. Having drunk every type of #5 @ 5 cocktail, Mel thought she�d have one (or two in this case) for the road from the full cocktail menu. Ideal if none of the above float your boat, but seriously � you will want to do the same as Mel as this is excellent value for money. A lovely Bullitt bourbon dry Old Fashioned followed by a rum Old Fashioned consisting of three rums; it was a lovely end to an otherwise normal evening. Good thing I was there to record this, because Mel doesn�t even remember leaving the place.