What: A relaxed Manchester restaurant with ‘Northern hospitality at its heart’ on the edge of the city’s Gay Village. Part of Whitworth Locke hotel in the space that was previously home to South American restaurant Peru Perdu, Winsome offers a thoughtful modern British menu within a handsome, stripped-back space.
Who: The project is being led by well-known Manchester chef Shaun Moffat, who is best known for his two-year stint cooking upstairs at The Edinburgh Castle in Ancoats (the space is now home to Bangkok Diners Club). Under his tenure the pub’s dining room made the Top 50 Gastropubs list. With a CV that includes top London restaurants Manteca and Hix and St Leonards, Moffat is regarded as one of the city’s most promising chefs. The drinks programme is being led by Tom Fastiggi, previously of high-profile Manchester cocktail bar Schofields. Owain Williams is overseeing the dining room bringing experience from Belzan, Madre, Medlock Canteen and a number of other high-profile hospitality venues in the North West.
The food: Fans of Moffat’s previous projects will be pleased to learn that he remains committed to delivering simple, produce-led dishes. Divided into snacks, starters, mains, sides and desserts, the tight launch menu includes wild mushrooms with shallots and pease pudding; Scottish sea trout with buttermilk, artichokes and dill; Yorkshire rabbit, wild garlic and bacon pie; and megrim sole with parsley liquor; and bread and butter pudding with brandy butter.
To drink: Fastiggi’s cocktail list features a selection of ‘hotel classics’, his own original creations and plenty of no-and-low options. The wine list is focused on the Old World and starts at £39 a bottle/£7 a glass. The selection tops out at around £150. Fastiggi and the Winsome team have also taken over Whitworth Locke’s Atrium hotel bar.
The vibe: Adjoining the hotel, Winsome has a utilitarian look with its white washed walls and minimalist fixtures and fittings. Other design details include a fully open kitchen, white tablecloths, and bistro-style dark wood chairs.
And another thing: Winsome’s interiors, menus and general culinary outlook bring to mind St John. There’s even a pig graphic on some of the staff uniforms.
74 Princess St, Manchester M1 6JD