HERE’S a first look at the ambitious new project from the expansionist team at San Carlo, due to open on Friday, November 28. It’s called San Carlo Fumo and occupies a prominent position across the ground and first floors at One St Peter’s Square. It’s the family-owned group’s fifth city centre site and the most spectacular yet.
It describes itself as a restaurant, cocktail and late lounge concept. It features a grand sweeping staircase linking the two floors and a terrace for al fresco dining.
The food offering follows the success of the group’s Cicchetti restaurants in Manchester and London – expect expertly crafted small plate Italian and Mediterranean dishes. All dishes will be made on the premises, using the finest seasonal ingredients, with much flown direct from produce markets in Milan and Sicily. HIghlights look to be their pigeon pate with fresh black truffle, Salsiccia with cannellini beans for two (coiled Italian sausage), seafood risotto in a pan for two and some amazing pecorino cheeses.
What is a departure is the spectacular bar area, under the stewardship of Alessandro Distefano, son of San Carlo founder Carlo and brother of Marcello. For Fumo Manchester’s drinks wizard Jamie Jones (below) has created a Lavanda Martini – beautifully smooth Beluga vodka, cold infused with lavender olive oil and dry vermouth and sealed on site in a caviar tin, available to enjoy at the bar or take home.
The Miss Bombo – an Italian nod to the Manchester bee, features Portobello Road gin, honey, sage, fresh lemon juice and egg white topped with a dash of Fever-Tree ginger beer and decorated with bee pollen.
A range of food matched signature cocktails will also offer the opportunity for guests to sample Fumo’s culinary style while enjoying a drink at the bar.
Open seven days a week from breakfast through to dinner and with late opening hours on Friday and Saturday, diners will be able to call in for a bite to eat and a cocktail or glass champagne at the feature bar or take a table and enjoy a relaxed yet stylish dining experience inside or out, on the alfresco terrace, should weather permit.
As with all San Carlo restaurants, attention to detail at San Carlo Fumo will be of utmost importance, all dishes will be made on the premises using only the finest seasonal ingredients, with much flown direct from produce markets in Milan and Sicily.
The San Carlo Group now owns and operates 14 UK restaurants including the hugely popular San Carlo and San Carlo Cicchetti on Manchester’s King Street West and Bottega and Farmacia del Dolce at Selfridges.
San Carlo Fumo Manchester, 1 St Peter’s Square, Oxford Road, M2 3DE. 0161 236 7344.
Open Mon-Fri 8am-12.30am, Sat 10am-2am, Sun 10am-11pm.