Two of our favourites, Simon Rogan and Aiden Byrne are producing horticultural-inspired menus during the city’s urban gardening festival, Dig The City, which rolls back into town next month.
The theme of this year’s event (August 2-10) is ‘Grow your Own’, so look out for some interesting new menus across the city in honour of the event.
Mr Cooper’s House & Garden and Manchester House are getting involved, offering themed dishes and cocktails to guests. The latter has created three herb garden cocktails specially for Dig the City – Lavender & Elderflower Spritz, Basil Grande and Mint Julep.
Meanwhile, over at House of Fraser, there’s a Secret Garden Party at Tom’s Champagne Bar all week, which gets a Dig makeover featuring a special Lawn Menu and Summer Garden Cocktail Menu – with sharing jugs of Pimms and summery cocktails designed to get you in the festival spirit.
There’s 20% off at Grill on New York Street and enjoy a special cocktail menu and kids can make their own mocktail too, with the help of one of the Grill’s mixologists.
Enjoy special organic and ‘home-grown’ malt tasting sessions at The Whisky Shop in St Ann’s Square, who will also host a talk and tasting session in the Festival Hub in St Ann’s Square on Friday 8 August.
Mr Thomas’ Chop House go green with herb planters decorating each table, for adding a flavour of horticulture to its special Dig the City menu. Mr Thomas’ also hosts a special activity trail for kids and a prize draw to win a free meal. And don’t miss an alfresco food demo in the beer garden by head chef James Mellor, who shows off the new menu on Friday 8 August from 5pm.
And over at Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant, you can grab a ‘Grow your Own’ themed Afternoon Tea, and find Dig the City inspired cocktails at their Second Floor Brasserie and Bar.
For what’s on go to www.digthecity.co.uk. Follow @digthecitymcr on Twitter for festival updates.
Happy eating…