14 July, 2019Read More
It’s a little-known fact that the modern vegetarian movement has its roots in Greater Manchester. Back in the early 19th century, a Salfordian minister called Reverend William Cowherd – a beautiful irony – encouraged plucky members of his small group of followers, the Cowherdites, to abstain from eatingmeat. In doing so, the good reverend unknowingly laid the philosophical foundations for what was to become the Vegetarian Society, formed in 1847 with the support of prominent members of his church. It’s a lovely detail from history, and just one of many surprising facts that proud Mancunians have a habit of throwing around, usually followed by the ubiquitous Tony Wilson quote: ‘This is Manchester, we do things differently here.’
A group of people actively renouncing a meaty staple in the midst of a period of great poverty stemming from the Industrial Revolution is, to be fair, a pretty neat example of bucking the status quo. Fast-forward 200 years and it is, of course, no surprise that Greater Manchester is teeming with vegetarian restaurants, from unassuming back-alley curry houses such as This & That to glossy, Scandi-chic tasting menus at the appropriately named 1847. But with 2019 hailed as ‘The Year of the Vegan’, Manchester has been modestly building on its noble pedigree, creating a vast vegan scene peppered with a gaggle of truly top-tier spots helmed by Mancs who possess an infuriatingly natural ability to combine creativity and cool with very little pomp and ceremony.
Best for: all the carbs
The passionate project of a group of friends, this Italian restaurant is a homely affair with a creative menu featuring a good concentration of vegan options. Think fresh pasta dishes doused in cashew or tomato-based sauces, garnished with nuts, truffle and homemade vegan Parmesan, with a rich vegan chocolate ravioli or a homemade vegan nut cheese board to finish. Following the success of The Pasta Factory, the friends have recently opened a pizzeria, Noi Quattro, that adopts a similar approach to vegan ingredients with its delicious Neapolitan pizza.
Read full article HERE.
23 June, 2019Read More
WE KNOW WINE ALMOST AS WELL AS WE KNOW PASTA
What’s more Italian than homemade pasta? Homemade pasta enjoyed with a bottle of well-chosen Italian wine.
At The Pasta Factory, we take pride in serving some of the best Italian wine around. Distinctive and high quality – yet affordable.
From the intense bouquet and dark cherry notes of the Barbera, Primavera. To the floral scents and hints of almond of the prized white Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi, Le Vaglie. All these wines are hand-chosen for their charm.
They’re our personal favourites – specially selected to complement our fresh pasta dishes. If you need advice on which to go for, just ask.
See our wine list
HERE.
Read full article
HERE.
12 May, 2019Read More
Pasta Factory (Manchester) – April 2019
If freshly made pasta tickles your fancy, Pasta Factory will deliver
On a corner in Northern Quarter, Pasta Factory make their pasta in-house to be used in the restaurant or to be brought to cook yourself. It has an open kitchen which is always a winner and has awesomely chirpy Italian waiters who provide the authentic experience further. It gets busy so it’s probably worth booking beforehand to save yourselves the wait.
We indulged on;
- Bruschetta con Feta Marinata (v) [£6.50] – This was topped with a creamy rich feta, of which there was too much for us to handle even though it tasted soooo good. The starter consisted of 2 slices of fresh bread and is perfect for sharing. Being a fan of tomatoes, a few cherry tomatoes could have helped – if you’re a feta fan, you will love this
- Ravioli verdi di Ricotta al Pomodoro (v) [£12.50] – It was a green day for us, with green taking centre stage on our mains. This was pure divine with a sweet and tangy tomato base (very Italian). Was a perfectly amazing filling dish mmmmm
- Spaghetti verdi con Crema di Zucchine (vg) [£11.50] – This was a yummy option and you’d love it if you’re after the creamier pastas. It was an enticing tower of greeny cream spaghetti that just melts right in your mouth
And to finish it off;
- Cannoli alla Nutella (v) [£4] – We love anything Nutella and this didn’t disappoint. It was so light, so chocolatey and so creamy that it was the perfect Italian end to our meal. We would recommend this ten times over
When the craving for pasta kicks in (which is quite often), we’ll be back at the Pasta Factory
Recommendation Rating: High
Price: ££
Service: 9/10
Halal: Vegetarian options
Pasta Factory
77 Shudehill
Manchester
M4 4AN
http://www.pastafactory.co.uk/
@
pastafactoryuk/
14 April, 2019Read More
Emilia-Romagna
This region has the capital of Bologna- and we do not have to be Italian speaking geniuses to work out what comes from there. The humble bolognese has been appropriated into the British culinary repertoire over the past fifty years or so- and was at one point in the 1970’s considered ‘ethnic’. It was the first thing I ever learnt how to cook and is always my go-to when I am in need of a little cheering up.
I was going to write an entire stand-alone piece on authentic Bolognese (or ragu) but my research just brought me onto the three same key points; it has to be slow cooked (up 4-6 hours); it has to be made with the finest ingredients including a decent wine; and it has to be served along lovingly handmade pasta. Every family in Emilia-Romagna will have a variation of a ragu and it is really comfort food at its best.
I like the Bolognese from Salvis– they make it with a hearty concoction of beef and pork mince with pancetta which really gives it a meaty sustenance. They use the finest tomatoes too which are shipped over directly from Italy and topped with freshly grated Parmesan. This dish is as about as genuine as you can get this side of the Amalfi coast. The Venison Ragu from Pasta Factory is also completely out if this world and if this was the last thing I ever ate I would die happy.
Read full article HERE.
31 March, 2019Read More
The Pasta Factory
Sometimes, there is nothing better than the simple things in life and pasta is one of those things. Now, I don’t want to undermine The Pasta Factory by calling it simple. In reality, it is far from it with its expertly handmade pasta which is made fresh on site every day.
There is something effortless about The Pasta Factory, and it really is casual dining at its very best. The menu is small and unintimidating with just ten pasta dishes, a handful of starters, six desserts and a concise but impressive wine list.
The Pasta Factory knows the power in fine ingredients and you will find the menu stuffed to the gunnels with them. Whether it is creamy burrata, Italian clams, Piedmont black truffle or olive oil, every element of the menu is the best money can buy used in classic and traditional recipes from the old country. I highly recommend the Bucatini Neri con le Vongole – black bucatini tossed with wild clams, cherry tomatoes & a hint of chilli & parsley.
Don’t let the name fool you, this is hands-down one of the best restaurants for miles.
Read full article HERE.
17 March, 2019Read More
Rabbit & Hare
You might be sensing a running theme here, but when I was little I also didn’t want to eat rabbit. For pretty obvious reasons. I had a fluffy Angora rabbit called Toffee when I was a kid, and for years to come, I couldn’t bear the idea of someone, or something, gnawing into her tiny, fluffy little back legs.
Fast forward fifteen years, my moral compass melted into an empty void of nothingness and I was quite happy to get my teeth stuck into Thumper without batting an eyelid. The reason for this being that hare and rabbit are delicious – and I hate to say it but – it
does taste a lot like chicken.
Historically speaking, us Brits have eaten a lot of rabbit in the past – mainly because they plentiful, nutritious and easy to hunt. But they seem to have fallen a little out of favour in the decades following the Second World War.
Sure, top end chefs are unafraid to cook up a rabbit loin or two, but I feel many restaurants steer away for fear that customers are still a little on the squeamish side. But don’t get me wrong – you do see it occasionally, especially in the cooler months.
If you want to eat rabbit, you are going to have to look to Mediterranean cuisine. A good place to start would be the
Valencian Paella over at
Tapeo and Wine. Paella is made with rabbit and chicken traditionally speaking, so not only is it a great entry level dish it is also authentic. Top marks.
My favourite way to eat rabbit is in a slow cooked ragu with a bit of pasta. Last weekend I tucked into a banging plate of
Rabbit with Pappardelle with Sage and Hazelnuts from
La Cucina at Mackie Mayor – but I believe this was only on for that weekend only…so, sorry about that.
What I can offer you, however, is a recommendation from the
The Pasta Factory which is similar to the one I tried at La Cucina but available all year round.
The Agnologtti Piemontesi (no I didn’t sneeze on my keyboard) is a delectable concoction of wild rabbit, pork and beef pasta parcels served with parmesan and cabbage tossed in sage butter. This dish is certainly one for the meat lovers out there- and a great way to give rabbit a try for the first time. Belissima!
Read full article
HERE.
24 February, 2019Read More
The Pasta Factory, City Centre
“Handy for the Arndale and Manchester Arena, the compact Pasta Factory boasts a simple interior done up on a shoestring. But there’s an authenticity here, a passion for simple things done well. And that passion is pasta, freshly made in-house.”
The Pasta Factory, 77 Shudehill, Manchester M4 4AN
www.pastafactory.co.uk/
Read full article HERE.
10 February, 2019Read More
The Pasta Factory
Italian in Manchester
All the pasta served at this repository for little-known Italian classics is handmade on-site. It’s a classy, trattoria-style affair with a small deli shop on the side (selling parmesan, pasta, pesto, etc). The food is delicious and dishes are unusual and authentic. Choose from squid-ink spaghetti with clams from Campania, spinach bucatini with Pugliese olive oil or triangle ravioli starring Piedmont truffle.
Go on the
Lonely Planet website
29 January, 2019Read More
MANCHESTER – ANGEL GARDENS
Modern food trends bring new traditions. The now customary ‘Dry January’ – giving up booze for the whole of January – is fast being joined by ‘Veganuary’ – giving up animal products for the month and embracing a plant-based diet.
If you’ve accepted the challenge of Veganuary and ditched that bacon sandwich, then we’ve found the perfect places for you to enjoy a meat and dairy free meal in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds – actually, you’re spoilt for choice! Also, we’ve thrown in a couple of inspiring Instagram accounts to help keep you on track. You’re welcome.
The Pasta Factory has of course nailed its vegan menu, with their homemade vegan cheeses including parmesan! Its ravioli stuffed with sun-dried tomato and olives is a clear winner. They’ve mastered the vegan desserts too with options including dairy-free panna cotta and vegan chocolate ravioli. All homemade right in front of you. With lots of Italian goodies to buy and take home with you, what more could you want?
Read full article HERE.
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