SEASONALITY and a respect for sourcing sums up Lunya’s menus and their latest update is proof that winter menus don’t have to be rib-ticklingly robust. Fish and plant-based both feature.
Owners Peter and Elaine Kinsella are totally devoted to sourcing the finest artisan produce and cuisine direct from Spain with suppliers who they meet personally and have developed strong relationships with.
Here are five dishes that caught our eye from the family-run Catalan-inspired deli, restaurant and bar in Deansgate’s Barton Arcade. Together they’d make a beautifully balanced January feast… and don’t forget to kick off with Lunya’s tomato bread, the best in town, above pictured with proper anchovies).
Seabass Sliders – deep fried in beer batter, on mini brioche buns with home-made tartare sauce and rocket.
Parsnips – crisped and dusted with zahtar spices and drizzled with pomegranate molasses and chestnuts. Catalan but with a Lunya meets North Africa twist.
Cauliflower Buñuelos – vegan again, roasted cauli and cumin fritters given punch by a Canary Island Mojo Picón sauce.
Estofado – traditional Catalan slow cooked dish with ox cheeks and a rich gravy with a carrot and rosemary puree, it’s a winter warmer.
Lamb neck fillet – grilled on the plancha and served on a bed of Navarran lentils, slow braised in a red wine and herb broth.
All the new dishes are available on the main menu and are best enjoyed alongside Lunya’s expasnive drinks collection – whether it be from their 130 strong Spanish wine list (one of the biggest outside of Spain), their 26 sherries, their 26 (mainly Spanish) gins, their Spanish beer selection or even that exotic Barcelona fave, Vermouth
Lunya, Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BB, 0161 413 3317.