New venue on Canal Street out to be No.1
A RESTAURANT hoping to step up the food scene in Manchester’s Gay Village is now open, serving a contemporary take on traditional British flavours.
Based in the former Bandit, Mugger & Thief, No. 1 Canal Street will be the second venture from couple Lisa Kettle and Danielle Condron, who have been successfully running The Bridge Pub and Dining in Sale for just over a year.
The site has undergone a huge renovation, with walls stripped back to red brick and splashes of colour added with bright banquette seating and booths.
Inside, it’s light and airy with attention paid to stylish features such as the Edision lightbulb chandelier which hangs over the central dining area.
Food-wise it’s a similar story to their popular Sale venue, which has won a strong local following and high praise for its quality food offering.
Starters here include Manchester rarebit, black pudding croquettes, and cucumber and horseradish gazpacho, while main courses include tofu katsu curry, thyme buttermilk chicken goujons and grilled goats’ cheese crostinis.
No.1 Canal Street also offers a two course lunch deal for £11.50, which includes all of the above dishes.
The venue will be getting involved with Manchester Pride, with a DJ line-up for the big weekend starting with DJ Rick Parker on Friday, August 25.
“It’s going to be relaxed dining, moving into a bit more energy in the evening,” says co-owner Lisa. “Soft furnishings, bright, airy - a real female feel to it compared to what’s been down the canal before.
“I think that’s the difference; very soft rather than these crazy drink offers. It’s going to step it up a little bit.”
Speaking about the current scene on Canal Street, Lisa said: “It’s a nice nightlife scene, but it’d be nice to have a few more eating places that people want to go to rather than just heading over to the Northern Quarter – which a lot of people do.
“People go there for drinking, and not the food really. It’s missing that scene I think.”
No.1 Canal Street is now open for a soft launch while they settle into the new space. Follow @No1CanalStreet1 for more information and up-to-date opening times.