MANCHESTER’S Corn Exchange is starting to fill up with the imminent arrival of two interesting newcomers to the city.
First up is Banyan Bar and Kitchen, which opens to the public on Friday, October 2. It’s Arc Inspirations’ first bar and restaurant this side of the Pennines after the brand’s substantial success in York and Harrogate. Occupying a corner unit looking out on to Exchange Square, the all-day dining venue will feature an impressive outdoor south-facing terrace, offering 125 covers, while two below ground private dining rooms, named The Root and The Well, look promising party venues. Perfect for sampling the extensive drinks list including cocktails with a ‘Banyan twist’.
The Kitchen area will seat 90, offering meals in a more formal setting, alongside a huge open kitchen and a 20-cover Chef’s Table.
In early October it’s the turn of Liverpool export Mowgli on Cathedral Street with promises of an authentic Indian street food experience. Such claims are commonplace these days as new wave eateries distance themselves from the old curry house, but there is substance to Mowgli, brainchild of barrister turned cookery teacher Nisha Katona (pictured above).
Their lunchtime food offer follows Hindu tradition by being onion and garlic free with plenty of vegan options. Oh, and in a cute take on Indian office food, you can carry out a tiffin box, with the menu contents changing daily. In India it’s a billion pound industry. When office workers leave home for work, they cannot take with them their home cooked hot lunches.Their lunches follow them in stacked tiffin tins, “by train, mule, taxi and turban” (TOM is looking for a turban, as we write). Mowgli will serve the Office Workers Tiffin at £12 for three curries and a black cardamom rice and the vegetarian School Dinner Tiffin at £10.
Follow them on Twitter: @mowglistfood