“This time last year there wasn’t even a barbecue in the kitchen or furniture in the restaurant”
Edinburgh Castle pub, corner of Henry Street and Blossom Street, Ancoats(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Two more Greater Manchester restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide. The venues are one of several from across the UK that have been added to the October edition of the Michelin Inspector’s Favourite New Restaurants.
While Stars, Green Stars and Bib Gourmands are revealed at the annual Michelin Guide Ceremony, the inspectors add restaurants to the selection year round.
These latest additions are released on a monthly basis and are highlighted by a ‘New’ symbol. For October, 24 new entries were added from across the UK and Ireland – from discreet bistros to neighbourhood spots.
Both Manchester’s new entries only opened this year but have already racked up a number of national reviews for their top class food and service.
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The first is Bangkok Diner’s Club, which can be found within the historic surroundings of the Edinburgh Castle pub on Cutting Room Square in Ancoats.
Ben Humphreys and his wife Bo outside Edinburgh Castle (Image: Supplied)
Chef Ben Humphries was formerly behind the stoves at District, a Thai-inspired barbecue restaurant that won acclaim before quietly closing its doors a few years ago in the Northern Quarter.
Now, with his wife Bo, who was raised in the Isan region of Thailand, they serve a range of beautiful Thai dishes, from beef Nam Tok and BBQ pork jowl with burnt tomato Nam Jim Jaew to Gaeng Khua’, a southern curry of smoked mutton ribs.
All dishes are given a new dimension with the addition of an in house smoker, something Ben was inspired to bring to his Thai menu following a trip to the United States.
The Guide wrote: “Despite the name, the cooking takes inspiration from all over Thailand, including several dishes from the northeastern Isan region, such as raw bass with calamansi nam jim or a classic papaya salad.
The Edinburgh Castle(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“Each plate looks neat and vibrant, delivering an array of well-balanced flavours and the occasional hit of creativity.”
It’s joined by Stow on Bridge Street in Manchester City Centre, an open-fire dining concept launched by the people behind Northern Quarter restaurant and bar, Stow.
Brought to life by Trof’s Matt Nellany and Jamie Pickles, it features innovative food, plus a knockout wine list and selection of classic and signature cocktails.
Set against a backdrop of low lighting, bar seats, candles and carafes, the dining spot centres around the “simplicity of great ingredients cooked over open fire with very little faff”.
A small, regularly changing menu revolves around a selection of meat and fish together with a list of veg-centric sides and snacks.
The guide said it feels like a ‘restaurant for our times’ with the feel of an ‘intimate secret supper club’.
Matt Nellany and Jamie Pickles from Trof and Stow(Image: Supplied)
It added: “Prime cuts of meat, including ex-dairy beef, are a feature, but don’t miss the imaginative vegetable dishes too. Finish with the smoked cream tart, its gentile smokiness coming through in every mouthful.”
Sharing the news on their own Instagram, the team wrote: “Today marks a very proud moment for us and the team.
“This time last year there wasn’t even a barbecue in the kitchen or furniture in the restaurant. Today, we’re officially a recommendation in the @michelinnguide.
“We’r so proud of our team. Up the f****** Stow.”
In September, another Greater Manchester received the nod, with Climat, a rooftop wine bar and restaurant making the cut.
Sitting atop Blackfriars House in the city centre, it has won many awards since opening in November 2022 thanks to its Parisian-style interiors, sprawling rooftop terrace and elevated dishes.