TAMPOPO has opened East Street on Piccadilly Gardens bringing an ‘on the go’ version of their Far Eastern street food cuisine to the heart of Manchester city centre.
Co-founder David Fox is partial to a party, so the launch played host to an eclectic mix of Manchester faces – the likes of Rowetta (pictured above with David), Corrie stars Lucy Fallon and Julia Goulding, XS Radio’s Clint Boon DJ Luke Unabomber, photographer Wolfgang Webster and many more.
All of whom seemed particularly partial to the frozen watermelon lollipops on offer, alongside Tampopo signature dishes such as Thai green curry, beef rendang and Vietnamese chicken salad – all served in a more casual, ‘take-out’ style from the big open kitchen.
That will be an important factor in a spot with an immense lunchtime footfall, but East Street also looks an attractive place to sit down in.
The former ‘Rice’ site has been transformed into a 56-seater restaurant with outdoor dining for 20 people to enjoy leisurely sharing plates and cold beers.
Twenty years on it’s a fresh, new step for the city’s original, independent, Pan Asian restaurant, inspired by the fast-paced dining styles of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and beyond. The team have also developed a strong Festival following, having taken Tampopo on the road to Festival No 6, Manchester Food and Drink Festival, Bluedot and Kendal Calling.
David Fox told us: “We had a blast celebrating the opening last night… It was great to see so many of my favourite people at Piccadilly Gardens. We’re really excited about this site and so far feedback has been great. This is an evolution of what we have been bringing to Manchester for the last 22 years… great food on the go is what East Asian cuisine is all about. East Street will bring a little bit of this to Piccadilly Gardens.”
East Street, Unit 1, The Pavilion, One Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester M1 1RG. Open from 11am-10pm daily.
