WHO says the Manchester city centre food and drink scene is not geared towards families? Both Store Street Exchange and Lunya are doing their bit this summer.
The former, inside the Hilton by Doubletree hotel is launching a ‘Kids Eat Free’ menu, while the latter, the Barton Arcade-based Spanish restaurant/deli offers breast-feeding mums a free drink – all year round, though we spotlight it because World Breastfeeding Week is night (August 1-7).
At Store Street 12pm-6pm daily children aged 12 and under are eligible to eat for free when accompanied by at least one adult ordering a main course dish from the menu. They are eligible for two courses from the Kids Menu, which includes the signature rotisserie chicken, oven-baked pork sausages and battered fish fillet. Puds are chocolate brownie, double ice cream and fab fruit salad.
The breastfeeding encouragement policy at Lunya is the special initiative of co-owner Elaine Kinsella, a mother-of-three who breastfed all her children. She told us: “From the first day we opened we have offered all breastfeeding mothers a free drink in our restaurant – we want them to feel welcome, comfortable and happy whilst they are feeding their baby. We get a lot of positive feedback about this from all our customers and we’re proud of our commitment in this respect.”
Children who have passed this stage are equally welocme at Lunya. From chorizo to manchego children are welcome to choose anything from the adult menu that Lunya can serve in a smaller portion, while the Children’s Menu now includes a specially chosen collection of kid-friendly tapas, including the Lunya Deli Platter. This features a selection of Lunya’s specially imported Spanish and Catalan meats and cheeses along with nibbles and dip -– all selected with children in mind. Kids can choose also from Spanish favourites like battered squid, Lunya meatballs, Spanish omelette, Catalan hotpot, crispy chicken strips and even Bacalao (grilled salt cod).