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NOT SINCE Mr Nazareth met the 5000 at Bethsaida with two fish and five loaves has there been this level of anticipation for food.
"Will Beckett and Huw Gott are the most obsessed foodies in the UK"
Hawksmoor - perhaps the finest steakhouse in all the land ('flawless' and 'the best steak anywhere' according to notoriously grumpy Times critic Giles Coren) - have had Manc mouths salivating like Pavlov's dogs since we first broke the news of the restaurant's coming in July 2014.
When he first heard Gordo hit the roof, then the deck, brushed himself off and said: "All you need do is taste the Stilton hollandaise to realise Hawksmoor owners Will Beckett and Huw Gott are the most obsessed foodies in the UK."
Manchester will be their sixth restaurant, the first outside of London, and "perhaps the best one we've ever done", according to Huw.
Hawksmoor is Art Deco down to the bones: polished wood panelling, reclaimed 50s light fixtures, parque flooring, leaded windows, beautiful leather banquettes and brass Brasso'd to buggery.
The 130-cover restaurant also boasts an original feature skylight you could vertically land a Harrier jet through.
It is, in one word, gorgeous.
They're giving nothing away as far as menus go, but we're told to expect 'Hawksmoor classics alongside new dishes exclusive to Manchester'. And steaks as thick as a Samoan's thigh, we imagine.
We're excited. They're excited. You're excited. So here's the exclusive pictures you've all been waiting for...
(Hawksmoor will open in the Courthouse building at 184-186 Deansgate for the soft-launch from 19 Feb and fully from 5 March)
(photo credits @EmGol)
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53 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.
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Micheal cains can feed more than 5000 with two fish and five loaves ...Looks nice some of the tables look a little small....Im ready for the softy bring it on.
Every time I go to London I try to get into the Hawksmoor - unbelievable Sunday lunches and steaks - can't wait and want in on the opening do!
"Hawksmoor... have had Manc mouths salivating like Pavlov's dogs". This read like a dispatch from a parallel universe in which everyone has a well-paid job as a "brand manager" or some other meaningless occupation .. I would say most Mancunians are worrying about keeping their jobs, getting to the end of the month without going overdrawn, or, if not working , surviving the vicious sanctions regime , started by Labour and ramped by the ConDems..
Well aren't you a ray of sunshine...
Is it Halal?
Because that would be a fun way to introduce every article on a food and lifestyle website.
Also why is a brand manager meaningless in your all knowing opinion?
Hurrah, Redflags! Well done on utterly missing the point on a Website that amongst other things,like Architectural debate, is primarily known for discussion and reviews of restaurants and bars. Bravo!
Looks fit.
Looks cold and echoey. Like an old courthouse in fact. :/
I only went once (to the Air Street branch) and had the most godawful Sunday lunch. Everything but the gravy was cold. The beef was rubbery and inedible and the roast potatoes were flabby outside hard inside. Horrid. I complained at the time and they knocked the wine cost off the bill. The wine was fine it was the food that wasn't worth the money. The owner did contact me to offer a free meal - at the Air Street restaurant despite the fact I'd told him I live in Manchester. I'll give it another try in the spirit of fairness but can't say I'm salivating nor am I very excited.
Hi Lynne, sorry to hear about your experience in the AS restaurant. Come on by next month and let staff know you're here. David
They don't respond to their emails, which is annoying
Are looking for a cleaning job?
Somebody must have warned them
Getting better! And someone with a name for a change - even though it is Barry
Hey, Rinky, they didn't refer to your US origins for a change, so it's some kind of progress. Maybe they finally found enough vinegar for that chip on their shoulder
Rinky will know them as "fries" not chips which is what Americans call crisps.
Well, I think the whole of Manchester will applaud that fascinating insight into American culture Anon. Truly eye-opening. Are there any other gems lurking? I think you spoke too soon Squirrel... It's funny that even though they're all called Anonymous you start to recognise which particular fuckwit you are dealing with. And I have a strong suspicion that this is the tiresome YAFI chap
:( The pain in my feelings from that spikey rebuke....
I think the issue you face (which is why I made the comment above re 'someone must have told them - which was childish and I apologise for) is that you frequently cry foul when someone trolls you but you spend half your life trolling this entire website. That riles people up. But take it or leave it, I'm backing off as I know these flaming sessions can go on and on.
I don't face any issues Barry. None whatsoever. Night night
I'm the YAFI bloke RinkyDick, not the bloke above. Your instincts are obviously as dull as your opinions.
It's a cultural thing.
Did go to one of them in London, my steak was overcooked, good meat but need to spend money on good chefs
I've got a question for David, who appears to work for Hawksmoor: I've been lucky enough to get a table during the soft opening. It's on a Monday evening. Will you be honouring the Monday £5 corkage during that period?
Do you want a free hand job as well?
Ha ha ha
This place isn't going to last. Not with Nando's and Byron's Burgers so close by.
And Manchester House and The French
Why Byrons and Nandos in particular? There are dozens of restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Even next door!
I was taking the p***, Rinkydink. Obviously you've still not 'got' our culture.
Well this is Manchester, so it should last, oh a good 18 months shouldn't it? Maybe even 24 before they give up the ghost and the likes of er, TFI Friday's move in?
Or Pizza Express.
Based on what anon above?
Based on L'Entrecote on King Street Anon above?
L'Entrecote was crap and offered only one option, Hawksmoor isn't crap (or hopefully won't be)
Hilarious Anon. Thanks for the lesson in English humour! Any other corkers up your sleeve?
You are dull, Rinkydink.
Been to Hawksmoor a number of times when down in London. Food has always been good but JW Steakhouse ath the Grosvenor House hotel slightly edges it for big steaks. The Air Street restaurant is a beautiful place to have a meal though.
Time for a comment about the decor, which is the main point of the article. Looks handsome and understated on the whole. But for the practicalities of enjoying a boozy (or otherwise) conversation those two tables look bad. I would hate to drop £200ish and be sat inches from another couple, it really does stunt conversation... It's bad trend that expensive restaurants do this. What's wrong with a bit of privacy and while I am on it bloody table linen...
Drop £200ish? That's my disposable income for the month. I've never been able to afford to 'drop' money before. Any jobs going at your place?
Sorry it's just a turn of phrase, not meant to seem brash or reflect negatively on your personal finances. But this is what a full meal will cost here. My point is for a lot of money, which £200 is, I wouldn't fancy one of those two tables. Too cramped and you will be overheard all the time.
Three courses, a couple of sides, a couple of cocktails, a bottle of wine and you could easily be knocking on the door of £200.
We went to Air Street in 2014 and had three courses, a cocktail each and a bottle of wine for £65pp. Certainly do'able.
I really fancy the place because for me, steak is a treat. The thing is, I don't even spend £65 on groceries for the month. Sadly, I'll pass on this one.
Look! You could spend less, you could spend more! But this restaurant WILL NOT BE CHEAP for evening a la carte dining! But what I am confused about is why someone who lives off £65 a month is moaning about not being able to go!! It's a high end restaurant!!! But surely any restaurant is too expensive?? A trip to Pizza Express can set you back £50!!! Most of your food spend a month. Why read the article, are a masochist as well as a moaning git?
'...are a masochist as well as a moaning git? Errrr...no.
Blakey, trust me my bill would probably go over £100pp given that I like to share a 1.1kg porterhouse. Anyway, lets not get into a slanging match here. People have different financial priorities whether it be planning for retirement, a big house, holidays, cars, kids etc etc. Dining out may be lower down the pecking order for some than others. I myself sleep rough under the transport ramp leading to the service entrance of Manchester Central but i like to go out to nice places to eat. It's my lifetime goal to develop gout.
Agreed that the tables for two look rather small and a bit tightly packed.
Yeah I was so excited about this. But the space just looks wrong and as a couple where on earth would you put four glasses, two sides, one massive steak and two dining plates? Oh and extra fun of the slightly awkward experience of far to close to the people next to you! Far from convinced by this room. I am going to go on slow night/day and get a four table for two people. Seems the best bet.
Ate at Air Street last month - fantastic BUT over £100 per person (we were treating ourselves with the wine though). Very much looking forward to going to Hawksmoor Manchester. Tables do look tight - our table for 5 at Air Street was fantastic - comfortable, perfectly spaced (not cramped, not too spaced out) and couldn't hear any conversations from others tables - just the general buzz of the restaurant on a busy Saturday night.
Excellent place, can't wait to go