I Love MCR Christmas 2015

FREE | Christmas 2015

FOOD & DRINK

CHRISTMAS AT ANNIES Tea Shop & Restaurant *Offer ends 31st January 2016

Annies, 5 Old Bank Street, Manchester M2 7PE | 0161 839 4423

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Copyright © 2015 I Love MCR Ltd All rights reserved.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information in this publication is accurate, the publisher cannot accept any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of the publisher.

Editor Stephen Lewis Art Director Chris Greenhalgh Writers Jemima Forbes Emily Oldfield Laura Fell Photography Mark Waugh Sales Director Mike Strul Printed by Studio fp Published by I Love MCR Ltd Managing Director Chris Greenhalgh Development Manager Melissa Hay Distributed by Tadtu Distribution 44 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA Phone: 0161 839 3083

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MCR XMAS Manchester’s the number one Christmas destination in the UK, attracting thousands of people from all over the country and even abroad. That’s because when it comes to Christmas shopping, Manchester’s got the lot.

Small independent retailers, high end designer shops and one of the best Christmas markets in the world.

This year they’re even bigger and better than ever, and with over 300 stalls selling everything from vintage clothing and jewellery to reindeer skins and hand made organic and vegan beauty products, you’re bound to find something special for the people on your Christmas shopping list.

And if you’re feeling peckish, there’s no shortage of German sausages, hog roasts, schnitzel, gingerbread and mountains of cheese and cured meats not to mention Christmas punches, mulled wine and gluhwein. And who can resist a chocolate banana?

This year there are ten Christmas Markets all located within a quarter of a mile of each other and accessible to all. Albert Square is open from 10am to 9pm daily whilst the other sites are open till 7.30pm (8pm in December) right through till Monday, December 21 (Albert Square until December 22).

So wrap up warm, raid your piggy bank and get shopping.

And don’t forget to check out Santa (also known as Zippy because of his resemblance to the character from children’s TV programme Rainbow) who is perched in his usual place on top of the Town Hall. And don’t forget you can tweet him at @MCRsanta throughout the season!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love from I Love MCR Team

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NOWHERE DOES CHRISTMAS SHOPPING QUITE LIKE MANCHESTER

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ith a huge selection of attractions, amazing culture, fabulous shopping, extensive choice of cuisines and excellent public transport links, Manchester is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit and attracts a wide audience of all ages.

Visitors from far and wide mingle with local residents to enjoy the festive atmosphere and lively, bustling experience the city offers at this time of year.

The joy of Manchester city centre is its size.

All tastes and budgets are catered for, with only a short walk between them, and there really is something to interest every visitor, throughout the day from dawn ‘til dusk.

The Metroshuttle is available to save those feet for enjoying yourself but stretching slightly out of the centre is easy, too – why not make use of the convenient local public transport? Train links are excellent and the Metrolink tram service makes short work of any journey - meaning that Manchester is only a short hop away, no matter where you’re starting from.

At any time of the year, Manchester is one of the best shopping destinations in the country, but it comes into its own at this time of year, and light work can be made of even the fussiest Christmas shopping list.

From the glamour of the high-end luxury on The Avenue at Spinningfields to the vintage chic of the independent Northern Quarter,

even those who are the most difficult to buy for are sure to be happy come the big day.

For designer brands and high street labels visit King Street, St Ann’s Square, Deansgate, New Cathedral Street and Exchange Square. Pop into Manchester Arndale for all your favourites under one roof and a quick jaunt to see Santa in the Christmas Grotto. A short hop from here is the Manchester Craft & Design Centre 19 working studio boutiques where artists, designers and craftspeople make and sell their work.

For something more bespoke, why not try one of the gift shops located within many of the city’s cultural centres such as The Royal Exchange, John Rylands Library, City Art Gallery and National Football Museum, which all have their own, themed retail outlets.

And for the hard-to-please in your family, a trip to the famous cornucopia that is Affleck’s will go down a treat. Here they’ll find the widest variety of vintage, designer, arts and crafts, alternative and hipster goods, clothes, jewellery, household items, music and indie bric-a-brac you could ever hope to see.

Luxury brands sit side by side with independents in Manchester and all points in between. Pay us a visit this winter and see for yourself that nowhere does Christmas shopping quite like Manchester.

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10 REASONS WHY MANCHESTER IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR CHRISTMAS E veryone knows that Manchester is the place to be merry. Whether you’re doing your Christmas shopping or just want to soak up the atmosphere, the city offers so much to do during the festive season. And no excuse is needed for a party in Manchester, especially at this time of year! So here are a few ideas to make your Christmas a cracker.

1. WE HAVE CHRISTMAS BEER! Cast out that Scrooge with a festive beer.

There’s plenty of German beer to be had at the Christmas markets as well as local breweries offering up some festive specials.

Hyde’s have their First Frost, made from lightly kilned pale ale malt to allow for a pale session bitter. And then there’s the Ragging Yeti Warmer from Fool Hardy Ales for a bourbon porter with plenty of bite! Just look around and you’ll find plenty of festive treats to choose from.

2. CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES Christmas isn’t Christmas without a pantomime (oh yes it is!) so choose from Torvill and Dean in Cinderella at The Opera House or Dick Whittington at The Dancehouse. For more festive-themed theatre for all the family, Mr Popper’s Penguins is at The Lowry or if you fancy a 04

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magical story about animals, adventure and the power of dreams, Into The Woods is at The Royal Exchange.

3. MARKETS! MARKETS! MARKETS! The Manchester Christmas Markets begin on Saturday, 14th November for the 17th successive year. There are more stalls than ever before, with ten sites across the city centre. Expect something from all over the world, all within walking distance of each other in the little log cabins everyone loves!

This year, Cathedral Gardens will be home to the 16m high windmill bar which used to be in Albert Square. So prepare yourself for greater gifts, funnier festivities and finer food than ever before! And if the Christmas Markets aren’t enough for you, don’t forget the Makers Market at Spinningfields and the Enchanted Christmas Market at The Lowry until December 20th 4. ICE SKATING With a polite reminder on the website that ‘Penguins Cannot be Reserved in Advance’, you know that the outdoor ice rink is set to be more exciting than ever! This year it’s at New Bailey, just over the bridge from Spinningfields. Sessions last 45 minutes and you can book online, so it’s an ideal way to avoid overcrowding and ensure you have a

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Picture credit Mark Waugh

7. WINTER WONDERLAND An indoor Christmas theme park? Near Manchester? Yes! The two come together for the UK’s biggest indoor Winter Wonderland at EventCity, next to The Trafford Centre, from December 12th. There will be rides and attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Plus there is just one amazing ticket price and it’s operated on a session basis so there’s no overcrowding! It’s the perfect place for the kids to meet Santa - and The Sooty Show is back for the third year running! great time. So whether it’s family fun, a date or a works bash with colleagues, get down to the ice rink this Christmas! The grand opening takes place on November 12th and it’s open until 9pm so you can skate under the stars.

5. CHRISTMAS MADE PERFECT Manchester is the place to get crafty at Christmas. The excitingly-titled ‘Exploring Wonderland’ exhibition is on at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre from the 21st November right up until Christmas Eve. This includes festive live music, handmade gifts and hot spiced cider (complete with cute Christmas tartlets at the Oak St café bar) – all surrounded by beautiful Victorian market features!

6. A VERY HALLE CHRISTMAS! Get into the festive mood with Manchester’s very own Halle Orchestra who will be wishing you a Happy Christmas with music around the city, including their ‘Halle Christmas Cracker’ where you are encouraged to sing along to favourites including ‘Jingle Bell Rock’! Conductor Roderick Dunk is all set to impress with his ensemble, including guest vocalist Elin Mahan Thomas, proving Manchester really is the place to be for those impressive festive tunes.

8. CHILL OUT Christmas isn’t Christmas without some winter weather. It snows 365 days a year at Chill Factore (intu Trafford Centre), where you can enjoy all manner of winter sports activities including skiing and snowboarding 9. CHRISTMAS BLITZ AT IWM NORTH In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Manchester Christmas Blitz, the Imperial War Museum in Salford is taking you back in time to show you what life was like in 1940s Britain. So prepare to step into a festively decorated wartime home and learn what it was like to face air raids, alarm calls and the cold. Tours take place daily throughout December at 3.30 pm (excluding the 24th, 25th and 26th) 10. THE GROTTO AT THE ARNDALE Get close to Santa right in the heart of the city centre! Father Christmas comes to Manchester, and his grotto in The Arndale Centre will be open to good boys and girls from the 16th November. And it’s not just a grotto but a giant star! Expect beautiful decorations, and when you book online kids will receive a gift and get to meet the big man himself.

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Picture credit Mark Waugh

MANCHESTER MARKETS – BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER M

anchester knows a thing or two about celebrating Christmas and begins the build up to its traditional festive season with the recent opening of the famous Manchester Christmas Markets.

Since the arrival of the first Christmas Market from Europe 17 years ago, Manchester has widely been accepted as the UK’s capital of Christmas. The markets have become the key focus but there’s plenty more on offer, too! >> WWW.ILOVEMCR.COM

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With a huge selection of attractions, amazing culture, fabulous shopping, extensive choice of cuisines and excellent public transport links, Manchester is the perfect place to get in to the Christmas spirit and attracts a wide audience of all ages.Visitors from far and wide mingle with local residents, all enjoying the festive atmosphere and lively, bustling experience the city offers at this time of year.

Picture credit Mark Waugh

The opening of the Christmas Markets heralds the beginning of the season, and this year the UK’s original and biggest Christmas Market has returned with more than 300 stalls from across Europe over 10 distinctive market sites.

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Manchester Christmas Ma

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Since their first appearance in 1998, Manchester’s Christmas Markets have led the city’s celebrations, and have grown each year with an ambitious spread of festive cheer to each and every corner of the city.

With themed areas and attractions for all the family and all ages, there are focussed zones for every taste and plenty more besides, so expect a mouth-watering selection of food and drink, along with gift ideas to suit any stocking.

In Albert Square’s traditional German zone, the food stalls’ delicious scents tempt you

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to a mug of warming gluhwein or a tasty bratwurst, while the flavour in nearby King Street is distinctively French, with crepes and macaroons on offer. One of our original and longest serving traders, Dirk the Dutch Flowerman, sets the scene with a beautiful array of Christmas trees, wreaths and household decorations, and the stunning variety of jewellery, arts and crafts available would satisfy even the fussiest list for Santa.

New for this year is a special Festive Family Zone at Cathedral Gardens for our younger ‘marketeers’.

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Situated next to the Dutch Windmill House, there’ll be a range of child-size fun fair rides, with a seating area to enjoy good food and drink for all the family plus some top entertainment. On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between the 14th and the 21st of December, you can enjoy pantomime and street theatre from 12.30pm - 2.30pm, with a LED light show from 4.30pm - 6.30pm.

In Exchange Square you can take a trip to the Octagonal Mill House which will be selling mulled wine and cocktails and will have a 1940s themed music offer with a strong Manchester vibe.

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Manchester Ch

ristmas Marke ts

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MEET KIM: THE WOMAN BEHIND CHAOPHRAYA AND THAIKHUN

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ow did you come from Thailand to now owning 15 restaurants in the UK? “I never expected anything like this to happen. I sometimes pinch myself and think what a journey! My life turned upside down when I met a young man called Martin when I was working in my cafe stall. He and some friends came in for something to eat. A year later I was in Leeds. 15 years later we own 15 restaurants across the country. Dreams can come true!”

When did your love and talent for cooking emerge?

“To be honest, I think it was always there.

Like many Thai people, I was born with cooking in my blood. As a young girl I started experimenting with different ingredients and it went from there really. Cooking for family, cooking for friends and then cooking for customers - it just went that way.”

Apart from family and friends, what do you most miss about Thailand?

“I suppose I miss what we call ‘sanook’ - it’s the live for the day attitude whereby people are happy with what they’ve got and don’t worry too much about what tomorrow holds. Sanook is actually one of our business values. We encourage all our team members to have fun, relax and express themselves with no fear of the future.”

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Where does the journey for TLG go from here?

“I would have never predicted the last 15 years so I dare not predict the next part of the journey. However, I can tell you one thing for sure, Thaikhun and Chaophraya are set to grow further in the UK. We want to open more restaurants across the country because we think they’re brands that people really like and want to see more of.”

You obviously love what you do and you work very hard at it, too, but if you could put your success down to one thing what would it be?

“I would say it’s all about sharing the love.

I am surrounded by people who I love working with and who share a love of Thai food and Thai hospitality. The Thai people, the British people and all the other people we have from around the world - we really truly are one big family and because we love working together, nothing is too difficult to make happen.“ Kim Kaewkraikhot is the owner of Thai Leisure Group, the restaurant group behind Chaophraya and Thaikhun Quote “I Love Manchester” at either venue for a free bottle of prosecco at Chaophraya or a glass of fizz on the house at Thaikhun.

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May Christmas Be With You This may seem like a slightly geeky choice of present for many, however the much anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens film coming to cinemas this Christmas has brought on a bout of embarrassingly highpitched excitement among many grown men.You may know a full-fledged fanatic or a closet fan who would appreciate the array of Star Wars themed products available at Star Wars Man in Affleck’s (52 Church St). Choose a figurine of their favourite character or challenge them to recreate the Death Star. Magma (22 Oldham St) also has some amazing Star Wars themed books and Fred Aldous (37 Lever St) are selling a selection of star ship model making kits for the more creative follower.

We Wish You A Beardy Christmas While Movember may be well and truly over

by Christmas, why not continue the trend of clipped moustaches and rugged beards in your kitchen? The selection of beard themed plates, mugs and egg cups at Oklahoma (74-76 High St) are a quirky and useful gift for any male that may just entice them to make breakfast in bed more often and bring a smile to everyone’s face on a gloomy Monday morning.

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Cycling is Coming to Town Cycling is becoming more and more popular in Manchester so you probably know a cyclist even if you are not yet one yourself. A healthy and cheap way to get around, we all fantasise about cycling on the sunny French Riviera but rainy Manchester will have to do for now. For cycling enthusiasts or those thinking about buying their first bike, why not choose from an amazing selection of cycling themed presents? From fantastic art work at Pencil Me In, (189 Chapel St), Magma’s selection of cycling books and trump cards or an innovative bicycle wine holder from Oklahoma, the choices are endless.

Jingle Bell Rock Manchester was and still is a hub for world class musical acts as well as less well known incredible talents. We all know one man who lives and breathes music and would definitely appreciate a melodious gift. Check out Panic Posters in Affleck’s for a broad range of album artwork, posters and other memorabilia or have a peak in Oklahoma for musical related stocking fillers like guitar shaped ice moulds and record shaped coasters.

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All I Want For Christmas Is Fashion!

For all the fashionistas out there, here are some stylish and trend setting gift ideas that are a little different from the average store gift card. Head on down to Magma for some fantastic books such as the Flip Fashion Designer that allows you to mix and match designer outfits, and don’t forget to browse their great selection of global fashion magazines. If you know someone who loves jewellery, take a peek at the Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art gift shop (13 Thomas St) for bespoke handmade pieces and don’t forget to check out Fred Aldous (37 Lever St) for impressive DIY craft kits for the more creative fashion guru.

Have Yourself a Personalised Christmas Personalised gifts have become a popular service of many stores over the last few years.

Personalisation give items an extra touch of Christmas sparkle and are the ideal way of giving luxury gifts the extra wow factor. On the 12th and 13th December, the Manchester UGG store will be offering a bespoke and complimentary monogramming service on their iconic Classic Boots so ladies can flaunt their new one-of-a-kind super soft shoes. Selfridges are also offering a range of personalised items from bespoke Chanel perfume at the Exchange Square beauty department to Nutella jars with your name on the label.

Soapy Wonderland Handmade natural soap and bath products are a lovely and aromatic gift for any woman. Soapy J in Affleck’s, have a great range of vegan handmade soaps, bath bombs and cosmetics in varying vibrant colours and shapes. We especially like their cake shaped soaps that almost look good enough to eat! Similarly, Fig and Sparrow (20 Oldham St) sell a selection of handmade soaps with some amazing and tempting scents.

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GIFTS FOR HIM

Bah Travel-Bug Know a man who is already planning their next summer holiday or constantly dreams about future trips to faraway places? Help their intrepid explorations become more visual with a 3D cork globe from Oklahoma, a decorative gift that allows them to place coloured pins in countries they have been to or would like to discover. Fred Aldous also stock a 3D scratch globe or if you are more of a home bird, check out Pencil Me In’s Manchester doodle street map.

Check out the National Football Museum gift shop for a range of footy related gifts.

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GIFTS FOR HER

Cocktail Night Christmas time is the season of parties and get togethers with friends and family alike so why not get the celebration off to a flying start with a cocktail set from Oklahoma. From pina coladas to champagne cocktails, these sets will make any lady the sophisticated life and soul of the party. Magma also have a great range of drink related gifts such as cocktail themed tea towels, Carry On cocktail kits and a gin making set for those who like the occasional G&T. Christmas Wrapping For many of us, trying to find the right present for the right person on Christmas morning is nearly impossible when they are all wrapped identically underneath the tree. For those women who like to get a bit inventive and make a gift look amazing on the outside too, why not invest in some quirky and creative Christmas wrapping paper from Oklahoma? Alternatively, check out Fred Aldous for a selection of crafts for the perfect Christmas gift box or bow embellishment. This is equally a lovely and more personal way of making gifts for the ladies in your life more special during the festive season.

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the best aromas and flavours when drinking your brew. A great gift idea for a coffee lover and a fantastic way to support a local Manchester brand, Slow Brew Club’s coffee is currently only sold online but the company is aiming to sell in pop-up shops and retail outlets in the New Year.

Christmas Time, Macarons and Wine Looking for the perfect gift for someone with a sweet tooth? Take a look at Baked With Love MCR, a family run artisan bakery in Whitefield that specialises in creating delectable and delicate French macarons.

These treats are gluten free and their bright colours are completely devoid of artificial colours and flavourings. Order them online or catch the Baked With Love MCR team at Spinningfields Christmas market every Friday until Christmas.

Hoppy Christmas For quality ales and beers, head to Beermoth (70 Tib St) in the Northern Quarter. This independent shop has been supplying Manchester beer lovers with an evolving selection of specialty brews for over two years and continues to source bottles from the world’s best breweries. Purchase a selection of bottles for a present or gift someone a session at one of their Saturday beer talks and tasting tutorials.

Jingle Bell Kitchen For the foodie who thinks they have everything kitchen related, take a look at some of the quirky gifts available around Manchester.

From a Humpty Dumpty egg and soldiers set to a cat-shaped egg mould available at Oklahoma (74-76 High St), a precision chopping board at Manchester Science Museum Shop (Liverpool Rd), to Christmas leftovers recipe cards at the Chinese Centre of Contemporary Art shop (13 Thomas St), Manchester is just bursting with foodie Christmas spirit.

Rockin’ Around the Coffee Pot Slow Brew Club are a new addition to Manchester’s coffee market and the company greatly values flavours, origins, processes and aromas of the coffee drinking ritual. Their coffee beans are sourced from Tanzania to El Salvador and roasted right here in Manchester! They are also developing a range of special coffee cups designed to give you

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JENNIE MCALPINE’S CHRISTMAS

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ith Christmas fast approaching and festivities kicking off, Annies is the ideal place to escape the cold for a warm drink and seasonal treat. Jemima Forbes spoke to co-owner, Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine about her plans for Christmas...

What has Annies got in store for Christmas this year?

“The decorations are up and have been for some time. It’s lovely that we are near the Christmas markets so people can pop into to Annies for a mulled wine, turkey and stuffing butty and a mince pie. The turkey and stuffing butties are our biggest sellers.You don’t imagine that people will want turkey and stuffing before Christmas but people love it!

We are also hosting office Christmas parties, work Christmas parties, and family Christmas get-togethers throughout December.”

Will you be helping out?

“Yes, the best part of having Annies is being there and meeting our customers. We’ve made friends with lots of our regulars so to see them at this time of the year is perfect. I’ll certainly be there at some point donning a Christmas jumper! We will also be having a little soiree and a glass of fizz with our nearest and dearest and our regular customers to celebrate Annies third birthday.”

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What are your plans for the festive period?

“Very likely, I will be dressing Albert up as a Christmas pudding. I thought I wouldn’t do that kind of thing but now he’s come along I have to do it and I can use the photograph to embarrass him on his 18th birthday. Albert will obviously be at the centre of our Christmas.

All our family and friends are desperate to see him so we’ll have lots of people visiting. No one to see us, though, they’ll all just want to see Albert!”

How much time do you get off work?

They give us a whole two weeks off so we wind up just before Christmas and then don’t go back until after New Year. It’s lovely, a really nice long break. Everyone works so hard there so it’s really nice to reward everyone, especially the production crew and team who work tirelessly. Just before that we’ll have the Corrie Christmas party, have a bit of a knees up, and then the couple of weeks off.

Do you enjoy a traditional Xmas?

“Yes, definitely turkey and all the trimmings and we’ll be at home and with our family.

Obviously I will be carrying on the tradition from when I was little of putting a mince pie and a drink out for Father Christmas and a carrot out for Rudolph. Even though we live in a flat, we do have a balcony so I’m hoping he will be able to land on it. It is possible!”

Do you have a New Year’s resolution?

“No, I don’t do resolutions.You never keep them. If you are going to have a resolution, do it on May 23rd or something and put less pressure on yourself. I bet you’d be more successful if you started a diet then rather than on January the first.”

How has it been starting work again this year following your maternity leave?

“It’s been the fastest year of my life. I can’t believe I’ve got a one year old now. I love

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my job and it’s great but I am able to do both. We juggle things and we’ve got a great support network around us and our family’s all muck in. It’s harder for me to take Albert to work with me and try and hide him in the studio! However it’s not beyond the realms of possibility to see Albert in one arm of Chris’ and a plate in the other serving a customer at Annies. Albert fits into our lives so well even though our lives have changed for ever. He is a happy little boy and everyone spoils him rotten. Last Christmas when he was born we got loads of presents and I’m sure we’ll be inundated this year too.”

Will this Christmas be extra special for you and your family now your son is old enough to celebrate it?

“He was a tiny baby last year and we managed to have our whole Christmas dinner without him waking up, which was great. This year, I’m not under any illusions; I’m pretty sure that none of us will be able to eat any of our Christmas dinner without a lot of input from Albert! It’ll be great fun and I am sure he’ll have lots of presents. I don’t want him to be spoilt so I am probably not going to buy him very much at all because he’ll get a lot from others.”

Have you already filmed the Coronation Street episodes for Xmas?

“Yes, we have filmed Coronation Street Christmas and it is going to be magical. We’ve worked hard on it and started filming at the beginning of October and we’ve now just finished. It’s a tearjerker (so get your tissues ready!) but it’s a good’un and I hope people will like it.”

ANNIES OPENING TIMES Annies is open all the way through December until Christmas Eve and will be closed on the 25th and 26th.

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MANCHESTER CULTURE VULTURE

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anchester is the ultimate go-to choice for the budding culture vulture. Music, theatre, dance, arts and crafts are all well represented here from the renowned Manchester City Art Gallery and the RIBA shortlisted Whitworth Art Gallery just south of the city centre, to the fabulous, brand new HOME arts hub. Add in an acclaimed group of theatres, clubs and venues, and some amazing independents like The Craft Centre in the Northern Quarter and you’ll find that the city has plenty of arts, crafts and culture to soak up.

Christmas presentations this year include a phenomenal range of themed concerts at The Bridgewater Hall and perennial favourite, The Sound of Music at The Lowry Theatre, with Lucy O’Byrne in the role of Maria. This production includes the fabulous music that we know so well and some stunning sets.

Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart, a brilliant worldwide best-selling fantasy adventure novel for children, is staged at HOME throughout December and into the New Year, while Royal Exchange Theatre offers Into the Woods, an enchanting music adventure, filled to the brim with a feast of fabled characters.

The city’s award-winning museums are renowned the world over from the Manchester Museum and its dinosaurs, vivarium and no less than three separate ancient histories galleries, to the Museum of Science and Industry, appropriately located in what was the world’s first industrial city. For the snappy dresser, the Gallery of Costume in nearby Platt Fields Park is a must, and the

Imperial War Museum North is an impressive and awe-inspiring destination with a subject matter that touches all of our histories.

Take the lift up to the top of the museum’s Air Shard for stunning views across Salford Quays.

Of course, to get you through all of these amazing activities, everyone needs to eat, and Manchester certainly doesn’t disappoint in this area! The world is literally on your plate here, with a mouth-watering range of cafes, restaurants and bars, and so keeping well fed will be a delight, with all budgets and tastes extremely well catered for.

A superb Chinatown district in the city centre is supplemented by a variety of PanAsian outlets across the city, and the newly refurbished and reopened Corn Exchange will be manna to the hungry. Great food deserves the grandest of settings, and this is exactly that - a mouth watering mix of superb restaurants in a stunning Edwardian venue.

But what to drink? Kookie gin palace? Tick.

Cocktails on the 23rd floor? Tick. The finest champagne? Tick. But let’s talk about the humble pint, because when it comes to beer, Manchester pubs know what’s what. The recent boom in craft beers has grown from a number of local brewers such as Marble Beer, Last Chop and even the socially and environmentally conscious cider press from Moss Side, which wins best name by a mile Moss Cider.

With so much choice, there’s no excuse to go thirsty!

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DITCH THE SLEIGH AND TRAVEL IN STYLE If you’re out and about this Christmas why not leave the car at home?

Travelling by public transport can save you time and money, plus you can also enjoy a drink or two responsibly.

If you’re travelling into the city by train ask for a ticket that includes the Metrolink City Zone, as you’ll be able to connect to your city centre destination for free, helping you make the most of your trip.

For more information visit metrolink.co.uk METROLINK Greater Manchester’s tram system offers easy travel around the city centre and further afield. Travelcards offer great value for those visiting multiple destinations. Or, why not try one of Metrolink’s free Park and Ride car parks which is a fast and convenient way to reach the heart of the city centre.

Visit metrolink.co.uk 22

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BY BUS The bus network covers a range of destinations across the whole region.

For service and timetable information visit tfgm.com METROSHUTTLE This free bus service links the main transport hubs and leisure destinations.

Tickets are not needed, just hop on and off as and when convenient.

Visit tfgm.com/metroshuttle CHRISTMAS WITH STAGECOACH Christmas shopping, visiting friends and family or nights out — take the bus.

Unlimited travel throughout Greater Manchester from just £4.10.

SYSTEM ONE TRAVEL The only ticket giving you unlimited travel on any bus, train or tram in Greater Manchester for one day. Tickets start from just £5.20.

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5 PLACES TO WORK REMOTELY IN MANCHESTER

Looking for somewhere comfortable to work in the city centre over the festive period with good wi-fi and coffee? Laura Fell does the hard work for you.

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ith office-based jobs on the decline and a freelancing boom upon us, many people are choosing to work remotely. However, the ever present need to check emails, diarize diaries and hold meetings about meetings means that access to a strong wi-fi connection and even stronger coffee is imperative to get us through the day.

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there should be more to working remotely than just sitting in Starbucks.

So in a search for the best places to work remotely, I visited a handful of the hundreds of places in Manchester city centre where you can find a temporary office. In each place I was keeping my eyes peeled for:

Now, there are loads of places in Manchester where you could rock up with your laptop and get some work done. Almost every café bar, coffee shop and restaurant offers free wi-fi.

• Free, easily accessible and a fast wi-fi connection • Ample plug sockets to keep that laptop battery going • Excellent / affordable coffee or refreshments

Even the Metrolink allows us to get a little work done on the ‘commute’. I’m not suggesting you sit on the Bury to Altrincham line all day (other lines are available), but

I tested the download and upload speed* in each location and transferred a 14.4MB file of a monkey with a banana to give me an idea of the strength of the connection.This is what I found.

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1. HOME OF HONEST COFFEE 77 Chapel St, Salford M3 5BZ The Home of Honest Coffee is a co-working, creative space and café which opened on Chapel Street a few months ago. Claiming to have the fastest wi-fi in Manchester, it is indeed exceptionally fast! It’s the type of place where you can pop in and out as often as you like with no pay by the minute or membership fees. And you don’t even have to buy a drink! But with such a varied menu of hand roasted coffees you definitely should.

It’s an excellent space, serving excellent coffee.

Wi-fi – Download: 55mbps / Upload: 47mbps Monkey Banana File Transfer – 3 seconds Coffee – Excellent

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2. ZIFERBLAT 23 Edge Street, Manchester M4 1HW This pay-per-minute café is an awesome place to set up office for the day. It costs 6p per minute for the time you spend in there, but everything else is free. From coffee, tea and juices to snacks such as biscuits, cakes even breakfast pastries, toast and cereal you can fill your boots for the entire time you’re in here - though you may find it difficult to walk if you do. I found ample space to work and there were plenty of plug sockets to keep me powered up. There’s a classroom available for hire for events and workshops.

Wi-fi – Download: 58mbps / Upload: 38mbps Monkey Banana File Transfer – 6 seconds Coffee – Okay. Free biscuits though!!!

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3. PITA PIT 45 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2AY As well as fresh & healthy pittas & salad boxes, Pita Pit have a fantastic work space with super-fast wi-fi. The Deansgate venue in particular has a first floor area perfect for working remotely. Their coffee is excellent and what’s more everything is recyclable.

Wi-Fi – Download: 55mbps /Upload: 47mbps Monkey Banana File Transfer - 3.5 seconds Coffee - Excellent

4. TAKK 6 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF Takk is a splendid Scandinavian spot in the heart of the Northern Quarter with a nice amount of space for remote working. It is very busy with freelancers and co-working hipsters alike so on occasion it can be difficult to grab a free table. When you do, it’s great. There are many power outlets for giving your devices some charge and the clink of coffee cups only adds to the bustling atmosphere. The coffee is renowned for being some of the best around, and it is.

Wi-fi – Download: 7mbps / Upload: 6mbps Monkey Banana File Transfer – 16 seconds Coffee – Excellent

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5. FOUNDATION COFFEE HOUSE Lever Street, Manchester M1 1JB The largest coffee shop in the Northern Quarter, Foundation Coffee is another remote working gem and a perfect place to people watch from the great glass windows at the front. The drinks menu is extensive, and there are cakes, pastries, sandwiches and the like, available all day. The wi-fi speed wasn’t as fast as I know it can be, mainly due to the meetings being held here. Reassuringly though, it is a great spot for working out of home.

Wi-fi – Download: 4mbps / Upload: 1mbps Monkey Banana File Transfer – 8 seconds Coffee – Excellent

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WHAT’S IN A NAME? MANCHESTER STREET NAMES

ver wondered what lies behind some of the weird and wonderful and downright boring street names of Manchester? No, neither have we. But Emily Oldfield has. Here are a few, some well known and some not so well known WHITWORTH STREET The street which is now host to a number of clubs and bars has a strong industrial heritage. It is named after Joseph Whitworth, a prominent engineer who had works on the route. It is perhaps no wonder he had a street named after him as he not only developed the British Standard Whitworth System – a process central to checking screw threads during the Industrial Revolution – but pioneered a number of inventions, including some of the earliest examples of a sniper rifle! Whitworth brought investment as well as industry to the city as The Christie Hospital and Whitworth Art Gallery were partly funded by him.

JOHN DALTON STREET Named after the eighteenth and nineteenth century scientist who pioneered the development of atomic theory in Manchester.

Dalton worked extensively in physics and chemistry during his time in the city and lived

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mainly on George Street. Whilst working as a tutor and member of the Manchester Literary and Philosophic society he used his own colour blindness to research into how the science of how colour works. He is commemorated not only by a street, but in one of the twelve painted frescoes in Manchester Town Hall’s Great Hall – well worth a visit.

SALMON STREET A small passage in the Shudehill area, it is thought that this street gets its name from what would have been a nineteenth century fish market nearby at Smithfield Market, which dominated much of the area at this time, including Swan Street, Thomas Street and Oak Street. The covered market hall had closed by 1972 and what was the site of the retail fish market is now the Manchester Craft Centre. Some of the original market buildings are still standing in the area and still display friezes advertising the fish market.

WITHY GROVE A name with historic origins relating back to the time when Withy Grove would have been a country lane. Withy Grove, or Wythengreave as it has been sometimes known, means ‘a line of willow trees’. In the

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nineteenth century, the area transformed from trees to paper and became home to the printing house (after which the entertainment complex is named) which. operated for over 100 years producing publications such as the Manchester Evening Chronicle and the Daily Mirror until it closed in 1985.

HANGING DITCH/BRIDGE This little alleyway, at the side of Manchester Cathedral and Proper Tea, is built over the River Irk, a tributary which still runs unseen into the Irwell. As early as 1282, a fulling mill is meant to have existed close by which helped process woollen cloth and the name Hanging Ditch is thought to have derived from the workers’ custom of hanging both their sheets and the cloth over the ditch to dry. The area is also known as Hanging Bridge – with a bridge first referred to in 1343 as a structure built over the river and called Hegand Bridge. It was rebuilt in 1442 and

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although largely obscured by buildings now, it is a scheduled ancient monument which you can still see parts of in the cathedral visitor centre and basement!

MOSLEY STREET Associated with wealth and wonder, this street was named after the Mosley family, Lords of the Manor (including Baronets of Ancoats) in the 18th century. This was the fashionable place to be in Victorian Manchester and home to such prestigious places as The Royal Manchester Institution (now housing The Manchester Art Gallery) and The Portico Library. Famous faces who have lived on the street over the years include Hugh Birley, first Conservative MP for Manchester in 1868 and Samuel Brooks, a nineteenth century banker who went on to establish some of the early housing estates in the city which he named Whalley Range and Brooklands.

Mosley Street tram line

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THE HAIR OF THE DOG 5 Dog-Friendly Pubs and Bars

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ogs are pack animals. They love to be close to their owners and hate being left alone. But lots of restaurants, pubs and cafes refuse entry to dogs, so having a pooch can put a bit of a damper on your social life. Put your mind at ease, because here are five of our favourite pubs to enjoy the hair of the dog with your four legged friend.

THE MARBLE ARCH One of Manchester’s best and most popular boozers serving good food and excellent beers.Your four legged friend is welcome in the front area but not the rear dining area where there’s an open kitchen. Grab a table by the fire, enjoy a pint of some of the best beer in Manchester and get toasty with your pooch. Well worth the short walk from the Northern Quarter.

73 Rochdale Road M4 4HY HARE AND HOUNDS Take your furry friend along to this old fashioned local boozer to enjoy a friendly atmosphere and a taste of real cask ales.

Conveniently located next to the Shudehill interchange, this Grade II listed building dates back to 1800 and boasts a light blue tiled entrance and an interior adorned with brown tiles and dark woods. It claims to be one of Manchester’s oldest pubs and is certainly one of its most unique.

46 Shudehill M4 4AA GULLIVERS This is the place to go to sate your dog’s

eclectic music taste - they’ll even be offered a bowl of water! Gullivers has changed a lot over the years and has been everything from a jazz club to a transvestite bar. It now hosts the city’s up and coming bands as well as more established acts. Offering heady times, friendly faces and rock n’ roll, why not take your dog along for the adventure.

109 Oldham Street M4 1LW THE KINGS ARMS This popular pub is a bit more than your average boozer and dogs are more than welcome. Over the river just a short walk from Deansgate, The Kings Arms is a watering hole, a music venue, a theatre and an artist studio and has been described by The Guardian as ‘Britain’s most bohemian backstreet boozer.” Need we say more?

11 Bloom Street M3 6AN THE WHISKEY JAR Dogs are welcome in this old restored textile mill, which serves up a dazzlingly array of whiskies, ales and cocktails (although it can get busy whenever there’s a live act on.) There’s two spacious floors filled with comfortable padded seating booths and an outdoor heated seated area that puts on BBQs during the summer months. Try one of their pies or famous cheese boards or go along for one of their whiskey tasting events or cocktail workshops. After all, they have the largest collection of whiskies (and bourbons) in the whole of Manchester.

14 Tariff Street M1 2FF WWW.ILOVEMCR.COM

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HAVE AN ECLECTIC CHRISTMAS

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clectic Hotels consists of three luxury townhouse hotels in Manchester city centre and Didsbury with a fourth - King Street Townhouse - soon to open its doors. Together with On The 7th, a chic private members lounge at MediaCityUK, Eclectic’s venues offer endless opportunities for your celebrations in a unique setting.

Shared Christmas Parties We have prepared an assortment of Christmas packages where you can eat ’til you pop and dance ‘til you drop, including themed shared parties at Great John Street. Shake out your tassels, unfurl those feathers and step back to the glamorous age of bootlegging and speakeasies with The Vintage Years or relive the ultimate party decades of the 70s, 80s and 90s with The Retro Years. Themed parties take place throughout December. Prices start at £30 +VAT per person and include arrival drink, three course festive meal and entertainment till midnight. Last orders 1.30am.

At On The 7th, our ‘We Love MCR’ Christmas shared parties celebrate everything we, you and even southerners love about Manchester!!

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‘Manchester Bee’ cocktails on arrival followed by a hearty northern feast while the live band crank up the volume with the eclectic sounds of Manchester. Choose either informal with finger food on 10th December (£35pp) or formal with three course dinner on 17th December (£50pp).

New Year’s Eve 2015 Celebrate 2015 and welcome 2016 with a spectacular dinner dance at Great John Street.

Dress in black tie and join us for a night of elegance in our bewitching Oyster Bar and be welcomed with a glass of champagne before being seated for an indulgent three course meal. Make your way to the dance floor and party like it’s 1999 whilst our in-house DJ takes you into 2016 in true Eclectic style.

Arrival champagne at 7pm, three course formal meal at 8pm. Tickets £70 pp or £650 for a table of 10.

ENQUIRIES AND BOOKINGS New Year’s Eve/Great John Street Hotel: 0161 831 3211 / RuthPollitt@eclectichotels.com On The 7th: 0161 686 5500 / JGriffin@onthe7th.co.uk

@ILoveMCR: “Our heart’s in the right place.

Manchester.” #WeLoveMCR #WeAreMCR FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @ILOVEMCR

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EAT DRINK AND BE MERRY...

Christmas is the time of year we all look forward to, a time when we can relax and spend more time with friends and family. There’s no shortage of places to go for good food and drink and a great time.

Why not try some of these?

THE PRINTWORKS Christmas comes but once a year, and The Printworks is decking its halls with delicious festive menus, fun photo opportunities and party packages to get you all in the Christmas spirit. With Christmas menus launched at Prezzo, Chiquito, Waxy O’Connors, Harvester, Norwegian Blue, and Hard Rock Cafe as well as venues open until late Manchester’s number one party venue will, as always, be the go-to destination this Christmas. The Printworks Odeon has an array of films to keep you entertained from the long-awaited Star Wars to Peanuts Movie by Snoopy. And Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a Christmas classic and this year Krampus will be the one to watch. Not only that, Odeon will be showing some festive flashbacks like Home Alone and The Grinch! Don’t forget Nuffield is onsite to whip you back into shape after overindulging at Christmas! The Printworks have new tenants moving in 2016 so together with a jam packed calendar of events there will be even more of a reason to visit Manchester’s No.1 party venue. So don your most outrageous Christmas jumper and have a great Christmas and New Year at The Printworks!

27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS

WAXY O’CONNORS Waxy O’ Connors is a popular Printworks venue with distinctive church like features, a labyrinth of 3 bars covering 4 levels and 9 separate areas and a 200 year-old tree!

Waxy’s is renowned for creating hearty Irish influenced food with signature dishes such as Cabbage & Bacon, Clonakilty Black Pudding, Irish Stew & Chicken Supreme with Ballymaloe relish and Waxy’s All Day Irish breakfast! And there’s live music every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday in the Church Bar. So if you want to celebrate the festive season in a pub with good food, a great atmosphere, one of the best pints of Guinness in Manchester and a tree in the middle, Waxy O’Connors is the one for you!

Unit 3, The Printworks, 27 Withy Grove, Manchester M4 2BS WWW.ILOVEMCR.COM

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with smoked garlic hollandaise, this is steak at its sexiest. The deal at Gaucho is a cut of 100% grass-fed Argentine steak (no limit of size/weight), chips or salad and any sauce to accompany. a destination bar with a larger lounge area separated from the restaurant area with glass doors, for customers if you just want to stop by for a drink.

2a St Mary’s Street, Manchester, M3 2LB DIVE NQ Dive, the brand new local neighbourhoodstyle NQ bar, has got lots to offer this Christmas. With a flexible space and sharer packages to suit everyone, it’s a great place to enjoy bites, beats and liquor. Christmas sharer packages include all of the best bits off the menu plus little extras to make it a truly unique sharing experience. Their signature cocktail ‘Mary’s smokin!’, a take on the classic Bloody Mary, is a must try this Christmas.

It’s certainly something a bit different. Dive is literally the spot for all. It’s open for lunchtime bites and ‘Work to Dive’ happy hour deals weekdays whilst weekends are made for dancing until the early hours. Open midday till 5am, this multi-faceted venue has got the lot!

12 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1SH GAUCHO Lovely restaurant and bar serving some of the finest Argentine steaks this side of Buenos Aires. The home of some of the finest steaks in Manchester. Gaucho serve four main cuts of beef which have been vacuum sealed and wet-aged for 30 days. The Gaucho way, and indeed the Argentine way, is to only turn the steak once during grilling. The result - cuts which are light, juicy and so tender that not only do they melt in your mouth but if you held one in your hand it would probably melt there, too. The rib-eye, often described as the steak lover’s steak, is particularly delectable. Delicately caramelised and served

SALUT It’s all in the name - salut / sa’lu: used to express friendly feelings towards one’s companions before drinking. For thousands of years we’ve been meeting up with friends, drinking wine, eating food, chewing the cud.

Good company, good wine and good food.

There’s nothing better. Award winning Salut Wines brings a Mancunian no-nonsense attitude to wine-drinking. If you want a guiding hand, their knowledgable and friendly team are there to help. If you want to have fun exploring on your own, there’s no better place to jump in and go for it! 42 wines by the glass are on offer. The Enomatic wine serving system enables bottles of wine to be opened and protected from oxidation, ensuring an unspoiled glass every time.

They stock the machines with an interesting variety of wines, from unusual everyday quaffers to some of the best wines available, which you’d struggle to find by the glass elsewhere. Also available are lagers, real ales and G&Ts for those who prefer. A small range of wine-friendly foods are available - freshly prepared tapas-style plates are great on their own or for sharing and there’s a small selection of freshly made sandwiches.

11 Cooper St, Manchester M2 2FW FILTHY COW BOOZE NEWS! Come and suck up Filthy Cow’s fresh new flavours. They’ve been busy mixing up daring new cocktails the whole herd will enjoy, accompanied by a range of

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craft beers. As you’d expect, the stuff that goes into their bevies is top quality, just like the ingredients on their menu. If you’re after a steal and need some munch, visit them between 2pm-6pm Tuesday to Friday and get your lips around a beastly burger for just a ‘Filthy Fiver’. They’d love to fill your hole!

With X-mas just around the corner you’ve got the perfect excuse, treat yourself and wet your whistle. They now offer full table service, so bag yourself a feeding pen in their Tib Lane bar near Albert Square and chew the cud with your mates while they do the fussing. They look forward to servicing you ;-) 10 Tib Lane, Manchester M2 4JB

AVALANCHE Slow paced, relaxed atmosphere, big portions, attentive service, amazing food. At Avalanche they make fresh ravioli al nero di seppia (squid ink pasta stuffed with crab and sea bass) and it tastes exquisite. For secondo, try their stinco di agnello (slow cooked lamb shank) or the vitello saltimbocca (veal chop with sage and Parma ham).You’ll be surprised by the generous portions and the freshness of the ingredients. An ideal place to go with family or large groups of friends, you won’t feel rushed out of the door and will have plenty of time between courses and for coffees and digestive at the end of the meal in pure Italian style. Or enjoy a fabulous, big Italian Sunday lunch with family and friends, sitting for hours enjoying course after course, ending the afternoon with a little

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passeggiata around town. Christmas Lunch £24.95 Christmas Dinner £34.95 2 Booth St, Manchester M2 4AT FAZENDA A heaven for meat lovers and a genuinely relaxing and tasteful restaurant, Fazenda in Spinningfields is the ideal location for a leisurely and delicious meal. With a Brazilian vibe at its core, this restaurant with its candlelit interior specialises in succulent cuts of meat perfectly grilled by expert gaucho chefs. The lunch menu is priced at £19.30 per person (£25.50 for the Christmas menu which includes a glass of sparkling wine and a dessert) or £28.30 (£36.50 Christmas menu) for dinner and includes a large selection of slow grilled meats. Sample their perfectly tender rump steak, marinated chicken thighs, succulent smoked ham and my personal favourite, the melt in your mouth pork belly in a honey and cinnamon sauce. If you still have room for dessert, the Marquise de Chocolate is Fazenda’s signature sweet treat and is a divine mix of solid chocolate, cream and Dulce de leche. Fazenda’s Christmas menu is available throughout December and is the perfect place for a classy, unique and delicious Christmas meal or New Year Eve celebration.

The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3AP THAIKUN Thaikhun is an exciting new casual dining experience offering Bangkok-style street food in authentic and traditionally rustic surroundings. Pronounced ‘tycoon,’ the name celebrates the street food sellers who are the real foodie entrepreneurs. Thaikun’s passion is to bring authentic Thai dishes from the streets of Bangkok to the streets of the UK, starting with Manchester! Offering a wide range of dishes which can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner, you’re invited to enjoy a taste of Thailand right here in Spinningfields.

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Full of fresh, healthy ingredients and packed full of flavour guests can enjoy the theatre of watching their team of Thai chefs prepare their food in the open kitchen. Street Bites, Sharing Platters, Soups to Share, Thai Pintos and secret recipes from Kim’s kitchen means there is something to tempt all. Thaikhun offers you a Thai Heaven in the centre of Manchester where you’ll receive a warm welcome (especially around Christmas-with their specialty Thai hot drinks served with blankets on our heated terrace!) and where you can be sure to feel relaxed in their rustic surroundings. Tantalise your taste buds with dishes bursting with authentic Thai flavours and raise a toast to your friends with a Thai beer or feature cocktail. Check out their Christmas menu for a south east Asian take on the festive period and make sure to add them to your list of regular take out places!

Christmas Set Menu £19.95pp Vegetarian £14.95pp The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3HF

URBAN COOKHOUSE Urban Cookhouse promises flavours of New York but they don’t just mean the classic dishes you might expect to find on the menu of a New York diner, but flavours of the cuisines of the ethnic groups which make up the melting pot that is New York City. This means that alongside classics such as such as burgers, dogs, mac ‘n cheese, and steaks, there are Italian, Asian and Tex Mex dishes

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and even a NY take on poutine, the Canadian junk food classic (fries, gravy and cheese in case you’re wondering, which sounds like a Glasgow delicacy and must have something to do with the huge number of Scots who emigrated to Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries). All of which means that the menu is eclectic rather than stereotypically New York. And it’s not just the decor which is easy on the eye. Everything here is beautifully presented and possible contenders for the best looking dish in Manchester if such an award existed. If you’re looking for style, Urban Cookhouse delivers in bucketloads.

54 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6HS ZOUK Celebrate Christmas with a modern twist and add authentic Indian cooking to your seasonal party at Zouk’s Manchester restaurant. Whatever you’re looking for this Christmas, Zouk has it covered. If you’re looking for lunch try Zouk’s Christmas Tiffin.

Zouk’s famous lunchtime Tiffin is full of tasty treats and for the month of December they have a special Christmas Tiffin (£10.95).

Expect premium dishes including Lamb Laziz for meat eaters and Palak Tikka for vegetarians. If you’re looking for a party try Zouk’s Christmas Party Banquet. This is your chance to try lots of different dishes and enjoy a party atmosphere with plenty to share. Divided into prices per head, menus start at £18 for the vegetarian option and up to £30 to try Zouk’s premium dishes including Prawn Pakoras and Chicken Khabani. If you want someone else to cook try Zouk’s Christmas Day Banquet. Why slave away over a hot stove on Christmas Day? Book a special Christmas Day Banquet (£30) where you’ll be greeted by a glass of prosecco and enjoy a six course meal including a roast leg of lamb and a Chicken Berry Biriyani.

The Quadrangle, Chester Street, Manchester M1 WWW.ILOVEMCR.COM

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SPREAD SOME CHRISTMAS JOY Booth Charity Sleepout 2014 Photography Andreas Andrews

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inter is a tough time to be out on the streets and it can feel like nobody is there to help you.

Spare a thought for the growing number of rough sleepers in Manchester and help these local charities help them.

THE BOOTH CENTRE 2015 marks 20 years since the Booth Centre first started providing vital support to homeless people in Greater Manchester.

The Booth Centre provides opportunities for homeless people to find new homes, improve their health, increase their skills and confidence and to successfully resettle in the community. The Booth Centre’s new premises on Pimblett Street has a fully equipped kitchen serving a free, hot breakfast and a two course lunch to 80 people each day. Over the last year the centre has helped 459 people to find temporary or permanent accommodation or to return to live with friends or family, helping to reduce the number of people forced to sleep rough on the streets.

To find out more please contact Amy Hinks 0161 835 2499 amy@boothcentre.org.uk

Barnabus

BARNABUS Barnabus is a Christian charity who have been providing a lifeline to the homeless and vulnerable in Manchester for almost 25 years, offering a city centre drop-in, health and wellbeing suite, support workers and street outreach. Barnabus are partners in #GivingTuesday - the simple idea is to encourage people and businesses to donate money, time or their voices to raise awareness and funds for a good cause and to make Tuesday 1st December a global day of giving. Help spread some joy by contributing to Barnabus’ Christmas Appeal and donating festive treats and essential winter items or take part in one of their Christmas fundraisers or events.

To find out more please contact Carol on 0161 237 3223 carol@barnabusmanchester.co.uk WWW.ILOVEMCR.COM

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