PRESTWICH suddenly got dirty – foodwise. Those purveyors of sloppy, artery-hardening Americana Solita have finally opened their doors in North Manchester after phenomenal success in the Northern Quarter and Didsbury.
Opening event on Thursday, August 20, is a charity party, the Not Just Soup homeless group, which co-owner Franco Sotgiu is heavily involved with. It is followed by a two-week soft launch period from Saturday, August 22.
Converting the former Aumbry and its neighbour restaurant on Bury New Road has been a difficult, structurally challenging affair, stretching over eight months, but first pictures released show what a terrific job they have done on the site.
The 40,000 sq ft, 140-cover restaurant and bar boasts Britain’s first ever Marvel comic neon ceiling. Art work comes from local graffiti ace Russell Mehan and Manchester-based New Yorker illustrator Stanley Chow, whose work enlivens the Didsbury branch. Check out his portrait of Italian football icon Andrea Pirlo.
The food will also be very much in your face with signature dishes such as the Big Manc burger making the journey north along with wings, waffles, donuts and Inka-grilled steaks. TOM hopes personal favourite, Jaffa Cake ice cream, makes it, too.
Solita Prestwich, 2 Church Lane, Prestwich, Manchester M25 1AJ. 0161 7108 2884. http://www.solita.co.uk
