HOW to conquer that Seasonally Adjustive Disorder? Take advantage of some amazing food and drink deals throughout January (and in some cases into February). Nearly every establishment has some kind of offer one, so our pick of the best below is merely scratching the surface.
We’d suggest you kick off by indulging in Ginuary. The run-up to Christmas suggested we can’t get enough of small batch, juniper-centric botanically-rich spirits, so why stop now when we all need a pick-up?
All Star Lanes is offering a bespoke gin cocktail every week this month. Current offer is their 'Detox just to Retox' cocktail from only £5. It’s a mixture of JJ Whitley elderflower gin, green tea, passion fruit, lemon, orange bitters and cucumber, finished with dried rose petals.
if you want it straight (or with the appropriate tonic and garnish) check out the Ginuary Sale at all the Botanists. It offers guests two for one on a selection of five gin brands: Masons, Whitley Neill, Bombay Sapphire, Liverpool Gin and handcrafted Scottish gin, Caorunn.
Iberica has a special offer on a different Spanish gin each week during the month. Currently it’s Puerto de Indias, a gin from Sevilla, served with fresh strawberry and lemon and Fever-Tree tonic. To discover the next ones up follow #GinuaryIberica.
While you’re at the Spinningfields Spanish take advantage of their 50 per cent off food offer. If you book online everything on the a la carte menu is half price off from Monday to Thursday. Iberica, The Avenue, Spinningfields, M3 3HS (0161 358 1350).
You have to book in advance too to take advantage of another half price offer at the admirably revamped Bay Horse in the Northern Quarter. Enjoy dishes such as duck heart with blackberry puree or ox cheeks on sourdough toast. Recent ToM review here. The Bay Horse Tavern, 35-37 Thomas Street, M4 1NA (0161 669 5799).
Obviously if you’re up for Ginuary, you’re not a candidate for Dryanuary, so go for a tasty offer at Randall & Aubin, the city’s only specialist fish restaurant. Throughout January they are offering a free carafe of wine with lunch or dinner. Booking required. Randall & Aubin, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN (0161 711 1007). More good, boozy news. Visitors to Turtle Bay in the Northern Quarter or Oxford Street who book a table for two any time until February 8 and order any two courses each from the menu will be treated to two free cocktails or Caribbean Softs.
There’s 50 per cent off food at all the Trof group bars – Trof NQ, Gorilla and the Deaf Institute from Monday to Friday all day until February 11. A similar ’50 Cent Schloff’ (sic) deal, but maximum tables of six, operates at Albert’s Schloss, a Trof Group joint project. Trof, 8 Thomas Street, M4 1EU. (0161 833 3197); Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, M1 5WW (0161 826 2998); Deaf Institute, 135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE (0161 276 9350).
James Martin is going one better than February 11. It has a terrific tasting menu with matching wines offer that lasts until the end of February. For just £30 you can order five courses from the tasting menu – dishes such as Hen of the Woods, crispy quail’s egg, Lincs Poacher; mussel cassoulet; and crown of pigeon, subject to availability) and get £17.50’s worth of wine matching wine. It’s valid Monday to Friday, excluding Valentine’s Day. Present this voucher to your server. Manchester 235, 2 Watson Street, Manchester, M3 4LP (0161 828 0345).
Another fantastic offer that last throughout January and February comes from the Lowry Hotel, whose River Restaurant is offering its three course menu for only £15.95 – and it’s a stonker, featuring the likes of beetroot buckwheat risotto. W H Frost grilled beef onglet steak and sticky medjool date and toffee pudding. Full details here in our ToM preview. Advance bookings only. The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, Salford, M3 5LH (0161 827 4000).
Enterprising WOOD at First Street is full of treats this January. All day Tuesday and Wednesday, until 6.30pm Thursday and until 6pm Friday and Saturday you get two courses and a glass of fizz for £20.18, while the ‘Tasting Thursdays’, a four course version of WOOD’s tasting is now just £35. Note, though, the menu remains ‘blind’. You must book in advance. WOOD, Jack Rosenthal Street, Manchester, M15 4RA (0161 236 5211).
DJ duo the Unabomber’s Volta and Refuge by Volta are running special offers on their globally influenced small plates menus. At the former in West Didsbury from Monday to Friday, 12am-7pm you can pick four dishes for £10 rather the the normal £25, while house wine is also a tenner an Prosecco £15. At Refuge, Monday to Friday, 12pm-6.45pm, the chef’s selection of six ‘Voltini’ for two people’ at £15 a head. Add any 375ml carafe of Refuge red or white for £5. Add any 375ml carafe of Refuge red or white for £5. Must be booked in advance, mention 'Jan offer’, conditions apply. Volta, 167 Burton Road, West Didsbury, M20 2LN (0161 448 8887); The Principal Hotel, Oxford Street, Manchester, M60 7HA (0161 233 5151). You must book.
Let’s go halves
50 per cent off is a popular tactic for many restaurants during January, but each may operate it differently and terms and conditions apply. Here is a recommended selection: The Chop Houses, The Alchemist, Store Street Exchange, (check out their rotisserie chicken, above), Albatross & Arnold, Font bars, PLY (just pizzas) Rosylee, Tariff and Dale and Tinto Didsbury (quote 3 Kings-January).
Salvi's, meanwhile, are just doing a 40 per cent discount, but it's a tasty one, available Sunday-Thursday, for use in Salvi's restaurants only. Some seriously authentic Italian dishes, like the one below.
