Public service announcement: There’s a bakery here in Manchester dedicated to the humble éclair, and it has made a Biscoff éclair. Pass it on.
Now, it isn’t unreasonable to say that éclairs are possibly the most elite sweet treat going; the French pastries – or the pain à la Duchesse, if you want to get technical – have become massively popular on this end of the pond for their pastry cream fillings and delicious fondant icing toppings.
So can you just imagine the idea of a bakery dedicated entirely to éclairs?
@choochooeclairs
Well, imagine no more because Manchester has it’s very own – Choo Choo Bakery first opened its glorious doors earlier this year as a pop up at Deansgate Square. However, as Manchester reopened following the continuous Covid-19 lockdowns, they managed to nab themselves a place at the massively popular Escape to Freight Island.
Choo Choo takes the traditional dessert to massive new levels with a tantalising menu of both classic flavours and the more unusual ones.
For example…
@choochooeclairs / Instagram
As well as finding the traditional chocolate éclair on the menu, you will also find the lemon meringue éclair and the little more daring rum and pineapple. Other stand out flavours include peanut butter and jelly, salted caramel espresso and triple chocolate… Obviously.
But the flavour that knocks it out of the park for me is their latest special, the Biscoff éclair which features a fondant topping of spreadable Biscoff. Yum.
You can find Choo Choo at Escape to Freight Island where they also serve a number of other baked goods and hot coffee. Make sure to follow their Instagram page for updates on specials.
A Lancashire-based Turkish restaurant loved for its authentic cuisine is set to open a second venue in Manchester.
Ottoman Bar & Grill is set to be the latest addition to Manchester’s ever-expanding and bustling food scene.
Becoming the second site, it will open at Affinity Living’s Riverside complex situated on the edge of Salford, across from Spinningfields, making it the family-owned eatery’s first in the city.
Ottoman Bar & Grill / Affinity-Living
The family already have a well-established venue in their hometown of Chorley that’s famous among locals – where regulars flock to sample dishes of authentic Turkish cuisine.
The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at its new Manchester location.
Opening in February next year, diners can expect menu highlights including the delicious chicken and lamb shish kebabs, freshly made bread and hummus and specials such as the lamb butterfly – as well as a delightful selection of vegetarian dishes.
The decor will feature elegant furniture against a striking colour theme with vibrant pampas grass, giving the perfect ambience to enjoy an exquisite dining experience for any occasion.
Ottoman Bar & Grill / Affinity-Living
Ugur Ansin, director at Ottoman Bar & Grill, said: “We cannot wait to open the doors to our Manchester city centre restaurant in Affinity Living Riverside next year.
“We’ve built a solid reputation in Chorley for providing the best quality food alongside a second-to-none service.
“My team has invested their decades of experience as butchers and working in Turkey’s top restaurants into Ottoman – creating a truly authentic dining experience.
“Manchester was the natural next step for us in opening a second restaurant, and we’ve got big plans to take our dining experience nationwide in the next few years. See you very soon Manchester.”
Morrisons is offering half price on fish and chips in its cafés today to mark Black Friday.
The supermarket chain will be dishing up the bargain meals on Friday, November 24th so shoppers can take advantage of a great saving in the huge day of sales.
There’s just one catch – and we’re not talking about the fish – the price of a plate of fish will be slashed by 50% for Morrisons’ More Card holders.
The Fish & Chips meal includes a freshly battered fish from Morrisons Market Street, with a portion of hot golden chips and a side of mushy peas to complete. Usually costing seven quid, More Card holders will get it for £3.50.
Morrisons
Diners at Morrisons café can also add a side of bread and butter for £1 and finish off with a sweet treat of Bramley Apple Crumble for £3.
Chris Strong, Morrison’s Café Buying Manager said: “Bargain hunting on Black Friday can certainly work up an appetite, so why not pop into one of our cafés for the ultimate catch of the day!
“A whopping 50% off our customer favourite Fish & Chip café meal. Available for one day only… you’ll need to be quick!”
The supermarket offered 50% off its fish & chips back in June and shoppers flocked for a fish supper which cost £3.49.
Billy McCrorie / Geograph
Last week the chain unveiled its new Christmas Menu for 2023 with a variety of festive options costing from £4.
The menu includes the Festive Turkey Feast Toastie (£4.50), The Festive Stack Chicken Burger (£7.00), and two or three course roast dinners with all the trimmings (£10 & £12).
Vegetarian and vegan alternatives also feature on the set menu, so there’s something for every shopper to enjoy.
Morrisons
Families can also continue to take advantage of the Kids Eat Free offer when purchasing an adult meal over £4.50, available all day, every day in Morrisons cafés.
The half-price fish and chips offer will be available in its 395 cafés nationwide on Friday, November 24th 2023 whilst stocks last. The discount is available for More Card holders.
A popular pub chain is dishing out a free carvery to anyone who can finish its new limited edition dessert challenge.
Greene King has launched a new limited edition Carvery Sundae – which consists of a sweet ice-cream dessert smothered in lashings of hot savoury gravy.
The unusual take on a sweet and savoury-style dessert will be available for two Sundays only – November 26th and December 3rd.
Greene King
The challenge is available at 40 participating sites across the UK, including five pubs in Manchester. Those taking part will have to finish all of the the hot and cold dessert to win a free carvery.
Challengers will have a choice of two flavoured sundaes: the ‘Ultimate Ice Cream Sundae’ which consists of two scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, lava cookie, Twix, Malteasers and Smarties.
Or, the ‘Choctastic Sundae’, which consists of one scoop of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, lava cookie, Twix, Malteasers and Smarties. Either choice will of course come with a generous pouring of the brand’s own gravy to top it off.
Greene King
The pubs that are getting involved in the gravy sundae madness around Greater Manchester include: The Barlow Croft in East Didsbury, Beach in Littleborough, Bee Hive in Bolton, Mottram Wood in Hyde and Red Robin in Wigan.
Sophie Howells, Marketing Manager for Greene King Pub & Carvery, said: “The Carvery Sundae is the perfect balance of sweet and savoury, featuring two types of ice cream, and a wide range of toppings.
“The hot gravy might not be for everyone, but it certainly makes for a unique experience.
Scorpions and Centaurs / Flickr
“Best of all, if you finish it, you get your next carvery on us. Once you’ve polished off your Carvery Sundae, a team member will give you a receipt to redeem a carvery meal the next time you’re in the pub.”
To take part in the challenge and be in with a chance of winning a free carvery, customers will need to ask for a topping of gravy on their sundae when they order.
The limited edition Carvery Sundae is available on Sunday, November 26th and Sunday, December 3rd at selected sites only.