Taste of Manchester can reveal that former head chef at Ramsons, Abdulla Naseem, has moved to another restaurant in the Lancashire area. As of the end of April, Naseem (pictured centre right) will be cooking what he describes as âbigger portions and more rustic food than at Ramsonsâ at a new Italian restaurant called Ninoâs Fighting Cock on the outskirts of Burnley.
The new venture will open in the village of Cliviger in what was formerly known as the Fighting Cocks pub. Empty since February 2011, the premises has been taken over by Sicillian restrateur, Ignazio Pillitteri who also owns Ninoâs Italian restaurant in Rawtenstall.
The menu is still being developed but according to Naseem, Pillitteri has planned a very âsoftâ opening period, starting around the end of April 2012, during which Naseem and his new team will be testing and developing a range of dishes.
What diners should not expect is the kind of adventurous, BritishâItalian fusion cooking which typified the menu under Naseemâs auspices at Ramsons. Instead, pizzas, classy pastas, fish and meat dishes are likely to be staples at Ninos Fighting Cock which owes something to city centre restaurant, San Carlo, for inspiration.
Ninoâs Fighting Cock, Red Lees Road, Cliviger is set to open at the end of the month.