BEST way to establish your New Yoik credentials? Invite The Fun Lovin Criminals to man the decks at your first birthday party. Urban Cookhouse did just that and threw in a batch of dirty food that was equally hip hop.
OK, leader of the Criminals and cult Radio 6 Music DJ Huey Morgan didn’t make the party, but bandmates Brian ‘Fast’ Leiser and Frank Benbiri stoked up the NYC fun until the early hours in the 85 cover venue – converted shipping warehouse in Princess Street.
TOM was there for the food naturally and, though the dish of ‘Scooby Stack’ pancakes (above) created for the guests of honour was too sweet we savoured our fill of Freddy’s ribs, wings, dogs and disco fries alongside the Cookhouse’s hallmark ‘Urban Legend’ burgers.
MD Tim Coulson said: “It’s been a year since we opened Urban Cookhouse and the food offer has been a major part in our success, making us stand out in a competitive market, especially when you consider there’s been nearly 30 new sites opened in the city centre within the last 12 months.
“We have evolved since opening, simplifying the menu and making the dining experience casual and on trend, and it’s gone down a storm - we actually made our milestone 10,000 Urban Legend burger a month ago!”
The drinks offering features a range of beers, such as Beavertown and Sierra Nevada, while signature cocktails include Rhubarb Sling Thing, Staten Island Iced Tea & Heyyy Honey. Weekday drink offers run from 5pm until 8pm, including two beers or two glasses of prosecco for £5 and bottles of wine or two cocktails for £10 and its half price food on Mondays.
Urban Cookhouse, 54 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6HS. 0161 235 8768.
Meanwhile another high profile restaurant, Tattu in Spinningfields (pictured above), is also celebrating its first anniversary – with a new a la carte menu developed by executive chef Clifton Muil, that launches on Saturday, April 23.
From Monday, April 25 to Wednesday, April 27 Tattu will be offering a 25 per cent discount all day on this new Chinese-influenced menu, which features dishes such as a traditional fillet of beef ho fun noodles, soy and orange butter chicken with Szechuan salt and lily bulb, and a rich sweet potato gau. All new dim sum lunch menu will also be introduced. Advanced booking is required. For reservations visit www.tattu.co.uk or call 0161 819 2060.