NOTHING IS SACRIFICED AT MAYA
DESIGNERS HAVE CREATED DIVINE INTERIORS AT VILLAGE TEMPLE TO WORSHIP GODS OF EATING AND DRINKING, WRITES JENNA CAMPBELL
IT’S one of Manchester’s most anticipated openings and now Maya, the three-storey restaurant and bar concept located at one of Manchester’s most iconic canalside locations, is ready to open its doors.
Located within 40 Chorlton Street, the former site of celeb haunt Mash & Air in The Village, Maya comes from the team behind London staple Isabel Mayfair, and will offer an all-day dining and drinking experience spanning lunch, dinner, cocktails and late-night entertainment.
Situated at the intersection of Chorlton Street and Canal Street, the 20th-century warehouse had a starring role in Manchester’s vibrant nightlife past.
When it was home to Mash & Air, the storied bar, restaurant and micro-brewery of the late-90s that people still talk about today, the former textile warehouse saw many famous faces pass through its doors – from the Spice Girls, George Michael, and Coronation Street icons, to the entire Manchester United squad who would head there for their Christmas parties.
Now, it has been totally reimagined. The dazzling futuristic white and orange design has been swapped for contemporary interiors, while the city’s first-ever wood-fired pizza oven has been replaced by seasonal dishes cooked up by one of Manchester’s most exciting new chefs.
At ground level, and looking out onto the Rochdale Canal, sits the Brasserie. Overseen by head chef Gabe Lea – previously of Michelinstarred establishments like Le Manoir and The French – the menus here present the start of the Maya journey, and will change with the seasons, promising the best local and seasonal ingredients.
At present, but only on for a short while, starters include turbot with bonne femme, mussel and white asparagus, as well as tomato and burrata salad, plus roasted dry-aged duck breast, green lentil and saucisse de morteau.
Moving onto mains, diners can expect shorthorn ribeye with onion and sauce bordelaise, as well as poached lobster with vanilla bisque. If there’s space, make sure to try the citrus milk chocolate curd or the cheesecake with raspberry and caramelised white chocolate.
Moving further down into the venue, guests will next experience the Dining Room, a well-appointed space with an oval-fluted destination bar topped with Calacatta Oro marble and ‘crowned by a golden gantry to take advantage of the ceiling heights in this space’.
Dark and moody, with its deep blue furnishings and gold fixtures, this room as its own a la carte offer, and a drinks menu featuring a number of signature cocktails and pours, including the Coconut Cacao with vodka, coconut, coffee, salted caramel and sesame, plus the Raspberry and Lemongrass with basil-infused Manchester gin, citrus, grapefruit and bergamot tonic. Beneath the main dining
room, there’s the final space to explore, a secluded and hidden lounge bar. Before taking the stairs down to the Pump Room, as it is referred to, guests are informed that there is a strict no-phones policy.
Camera lenses are covered with a seal and no images of the space are allowed to be shared – we’re told this is an evolving concept and may change, but it definitely adds a level of mystique. While not a members’ club per se, there’s certainly a feeling of exclusivity, and it will operate on an invite-only basis, at least during the opening phase of Maya.
Fortunately, you can photograph the rest of the three-storey space, including the toilets. While this might seem an odd choice of photo to capture as a memento, they’re certainly worth checking out, not least for their neon signs and individually designed cubicles.
The restaurant and bar concept is the creation of Scottie Bhattarai who, alongside Maya, is the CEO of Isabel Mayfair and its sister brands. Previously, Bhattarai led restaurant brands in the Soho House collection, as well as Petersham Nurseries, to Michelin-starred recognition.
“I would like Maya to be a ‘dinner plus’ destination,” explains Scottie. “Obviously, there’s a lot of great restaurants doing great food and beverage, but what we provide is that extra experience and that’s how we’ve designed the space – it’s a one-stop shop where you can have great food and drink, but also great entertainment.
“If you look at the design, decor and the food at Maya, everything is defined by a sense of discovery in every single room. The Brasserie level at the top is much lighter, very accessible, while the dining room is more intimate, a special occasion space, while the dining offer changes a lot too.
“The downstairs, The Pump Room, is totally different. It is my version of Studio 54 because I’m a big fan of that. Every room will be a surprise for people. I want to make the Pump Room exclusive though and to make it feel special for people. There’s no criteria to get in as such, but people have to have the right energy and to feel fun.
“I am from Nepal and Maya has different meanings. One of those is ‘love’. When I first came to Manchester, I fell in love with Manchester and that felt apt. While in Sanskrit, Maya means to do something to get what you want, and I guess the whole experience is kind of naughty, mischievous and tongue-in-cheek.
Maya occupies three floors in the same building as Leven Manchester hotel, but the businesses are separate and have their own entrances.
Joshua Senior, CEO & Co-Founder, Leven added: “Myself and the team are delighted to be joined by Maya in our iconic, heritage building here in Manchester’s Village neighbourhood.
“The opening will offer our guests and locals alike a brand new dining experience – whether that be a canal-side lunch for two, or an allnight-long celebration with friends – Maya’s unique spaces will mean guests can enjoy things on their terms, a perfect fit with our ethos here at Leven.”
The restaurant and bar will be guided by the ‘dinner plus’ concept Scottie refers to, where the dining experience blends into late-night entertainment, with a roster of DJs all week providing the soundtrack.
Maya is situated on the corner of Chorlton Street and Canal Street and will open its doors on April 1. Maya is open from 12-10pm daily, and the bar is open until late.