If you’re looking to elevate your Sunday roast experience beyond the usual spuds, Yorkshire puds and gravy, Fenix restaurant should be on your radar.
With its outstanding Mykonos-inspired menu, a chic setting, and a focus on blending modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, Fenix offers a truly unique Sunday lunch bursting with immense flavour.
Sunday Agora at Fenix
Nestled in Manchester’s St John’s district, Fenix effortlessly blends tradition with modern sophistication.
From the moment you step through the door, you’re welcomed into an incredible space.
The restaurant itself is astounding, designed to evoke the legend of the phoenix, the mythical bird that rises from its ashes every 500 years.
Grecian influences are subtle but impactful.
Hosts, dressed in flowing, elegant attire, exude a calm presence as they guide you through the restaurant’s impressive, multi-level interior.
A stunning central staircase, entwined with an olive tree, leads you to a dining room with textures reminiscent of a Mediterranean cliffside, jam-packed with those lush Ionian beach vibes.
The restaurant’s multi-level layout, with its breathtaking staircase wrapped around an olive tree, leads you to a dining room reminiscent of a cliff face, subtly transitioning from day to night with its ethereal lighting.
What’s on the Sunday Agora menu?
Fenix’s Sunday Agora Menu redefines the British Sunday roast with a distinctly Greek-Mediterranean flair.
“Agora,” meaning “gathering” in Greek, perfectly captures the essence of what Sundays at Fenix are all about—bringing friends and family together over incredible food.
The star of the show?
The Lamb Leg En-Clave, is a dish that could easily become an iconic Manchester staple. Presented dramatically in a clay pot, the leg of lamb is slow-roasted to tender perfection.
The ritualistic cracking of the clay with a golden hammer before carving adds a theatrical touch to an already outstanding meal.
The lamb, infused with rich Mediterranean flavours, is complemented by a red wine gravy, and offers that elusive melt-in-your-mouth texture.
It’s hard not to be enchanted by both the presentation and the taste.
For those seeking something lighter, the Robata Grilled Sea Bass offers a refreshing yet equally indulgent alternative.
Butterflied and dressed with a lime-turmeric infusion, the sea bass provides a zesty, aromatic contrast to the robust flavours of the lamb.
Vegetarians, too, will find delight in the Cauliflower Steak.
Grilled to perfection, this dish is layered with herbs, roasted vegetable cream, and pickled fennel.
In a word? Sublime.
What’s to drink?
Fenix has a sensational selection of cocktails, we opted for the Apollo’s lemonade with crystal head vodka, Fenix lemon drop, orange and London essence soda.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg – you can check out their full selection and extensive wine list by clicking here.
Show-stopping sides
No Sunday lunch is complete without the supporting cast of side dishes, and at Fenix, these could almost take centre stage.
The Mykonian Salad is a masterclass in balance, combining fresh tomatoes, cucumber, green peppers, onions, olives, and Mykonian feta cheese.
The addition of capers and carob rusk gives it a distinctive Greek twist, delivering bursts of flavour with every bite.
The Spicy Roasted Cabbage is another unexpected standout.
Drizzled with Gochujang for a spicy kick, the dish is finished with a cloud-like feta cheese espuma.
It’s a dish that manages to surprise and comfort simultaneously, something you’ll want to keep revisiting as the flavours unfold.
And let’s not forget the Briam Vegetables—a traditional Greek dish of roasted carrots, zucchini, and potatoes, bathed in a rich tomato sauce.
This is soul food, elevated to gourmet status, delivering both heartiness and sophistication.
A toast to tradition
One cannot speak about Fenix without mentioning the incredible show put on by the food and the waiting on staff.
As head chef Zisis Giannouras describes, “At Fenix, we like to think of our restaurant as your home from home, a place to celebrate the rich, universal traditions of a Sunday dinner.”
The sentiment is echoed throughout the dining experience, as staff glide between tables in spectacular decor, ensuring that guests feel both welcomed and indulged.
It’s clear that Fenix is not just playing by the rules; they’re rewriting them.
This is a place where the timeless ritual of the Sunday roast is infused with new life, much like the phoenix rising from the flames.
And with the storytelling approach of Ippokratis Anagnostelis and Giannouras behind the menu, you’ll find that every bite tells a story, transporting you straight to the sun-soaked shores of Mykonos.
Add to that the impeccable service, breathtaking decor, and a carefully curated menu, and you have all the ingredients for a truly unforgettable dining experience.
You can find out more about what’s happening at Fenix by clicking here