The lack of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Manchester is now a well-documented anomaly – yet things could be set to change…
Manchester is home to many delightful and delicious restaurants, each catering to the food and wine connoisseurs that fill their seats every night.
Whether it delights of Chinatown or pop-up restaurants boasting something a little closer to home, Manchester can offer an array of cuisines to satisfy every food lover – yet there is not a single Michelin-starred restaurant in the city.
But now Tim Bacon, managing director of Living Ventures which operates many high profile ventures such as Australasia, The Alchemist and The Oast House, is eager to see more restaurants chasing the coveted Michelin Star award.
Along with ‘Great British Menu’ chef Aiden Byrne, the duo is proud to support ‘Manchester House’ an upcoming restaurant soon to open in Tower 12, Avenue North Spinningfields.
They hope that Manchester House will allow people to experience fine dining and claim the Michelin crown.
Tim said: “The reason Manchester hasn’t had a Michelin Star restaurant for so long is simply because Manchester doesn’t get the pomp that comes with traditional fine dining places. We’ve opened lots of places in Manchester and know the market and its people pretty well.
“When we first talked about creating something like Manchester House we knew it had to ‘redefine fine dine’, have a bit of edge, a bit of swagger, a bit of do-it-different. The Manchester way of doing things I suppose.”
Manchester House will cover two floors and hold 76 people who will be able to enjoy the panoramic floor to ceiling view of the city.
The kitchen will be situated in the middle of the action and offer a top menu in terms of quality and food innovation.
The aim is to give Manchester a high-end place to eat and drink, delivering quality in a funky and informal way.
Living Ventures prides itself on quality food in high-end restaurants and since their creation in 1999, have delivered their unique dining experience throughout the UK.
Meanwhile, others are touting the return of world-famous restaurant The French to Manchester prestigious Midland Hotel as another strong potential for Michelin potential.
Double-starred chef Simon Rogan was asked to take over both of the hotel’s restaurants and launched the hotel’s silver service fine-dining establishment last month.
“There is huge affection for The Midland Hotel in Manchester and I want to help bring its restaurants back to their former glory,” said Rogan. “It’s a wonderful challenge.”
And Katie Brunt, owner of Mancunian dining group Gastroclub, confessed that she believes it won’t be long until a Manchester restaurant earns the accolade.
“With the lineup of new restaurants and Chefs in the city it won’t be long until we get that Michelin star – it’s a really exciting time for diners in Manchester,” she said.
Manchester House will be open from mid-July with bookings being taken now.
You can book online at www.manchesterhouse.uk.com
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
