The new breakfast menut nods to their chefs' collective Polish and Ukrainian heritage as the team welcomes a new arrival.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are not nearly enough places in the city centre to go for a good Polish scran, which is why we love Platzki so much.

First opened in the city in 2018, initially it was housed back on the Mews but has since moved onto the main Deansgate strip, sandwiched between Alex’s Bakery and Bar Hutte.

Over the past four years it has developed something of a cult following amongst local foodies, who flock for its flavourful, traditional dishes, be they in groups or happily dining alone, all year-round.

And now the team has added another string to its bow with the addition of a brand new breakfast menu that nods to their chefs’ collective Polish and Ukrainian heritage.

Served on weekends only, it is the collective creation of chef-owners Lukasz Mazurek and Przemek Marcinkowski and their newest kitchen addition, Alona, a Ukrainian refugee who has newly arrived in Manchester.

Having fled the war in her home country alongside her fifteen-year-old son, Alona moved here a few months ago in search of some peace and stability and is now living in Stockport with her son and a local family who have taken them in.

A chef herself, she now works closely with Przemek and Lukasz. All three regularly share dish ideas and inspirations as they go, and as a result, they stumbled across the idea to combine their favourite breakfast dishes on a new menu. Trust us, it really is something special.

We’re talking traditional Kielbasa (crispy fried Polish smoked sausage stew with tomato gherkin and mustard) loaded onto toasted sourdough and double pork schnitzels wedged into bagel-like baps and served with heaps of pickles, mushroom and traditional mayo vegetable salad.

Elsewhere, you’ll find fluffy egg and cheese omelette with tomatoes and spinach. chunky roasted pork neck baps with horseradish and sauerkraut, and Krokiet (crispy pancakes filled with Polish Black pudding with a fried egg on the side).

As for Alona’s contribution, there is just one Ukrainian dish: Syrniki. A dish that, from what we understand, is enjoy just as much at dessert as it is for breakfast, it comes as a plate of miniature, pillowy-soft cheesy pancakes plated up with a healthy dollop of mascarpone and reams of glistening cherries, still swimming in their juice. Divine.

When we visit , it’s Manchester Pride weekend and the atmosphere in the city (and Platzki itself)is buzzing. The restaurant is full of pride flags, there’s a Pride shot offer on, and a large, giddy table behind us greedily curing their two-day hangovers with generous helpings of Kielbasa.

Read more: Inside Platzki, the city-centre Polish restaurant with an ever-evolving menu

Sitting in the gorgeous plant-filled terrace dining room overlooking the Great Northern Warehouse, we’ve got the best view of the family Pride fun going on outside, with glamorous queens strutting past in full sparkles as we sip our morning coffee (or in my date’s case, a mango bellini and fruit juice smoothie, simultaneously).

Not only is Platzki in a prime spot for people-watching, it’s now also ideal for boozing a few bellinis and tucking into some traditional brekki dishes thanks to this latest addition.

Available from 9am-1pm every Saturday and Sunday, bookings are advised as it can get very busy.

Feature image – The Manc Eats

As one door closes, another opens. Never has this been more true than in the Northern Quarter right now, where chefs are rotating kitchens like it’s a game of musical chairs.

Modern Chinese favourite Salt and Pepper has just made its exit from Black Dog, the popular late-night bar that opens until 4am, in preparation to open its own venue round the corner on High Street.

In its place, Kong’s Chicken Shop has moved in with a brand new taco and quesadilla concept.

After a very happy year of naughty burgers and roast dinners at Northern Monk Taproom (now home to beloved lasagne restaurant Lazy Tony’s), the team is venturing on to pastures new with a new Mexican-inspired menu of gravy-soaked goodies.

Of course. Kong’s signature fried chicken still features prominently. In fact, you can still get your hands on Kong’s signature burger and some of the most popular sandwiches. But in truth, we’re here for the tacos.

Think thigh meat brined for three hours, rolled in a secret spice mix, then double-dredged for a crispier texture, topping a 6-inch hasa marina corn taco with accompanying iceberg, chipotle slaw, diced pickles and burger sauce.

Elsewhere on the new list, you’ll find Al Pastor adobo pork neck tacos, barbacoa beef shin tacos with green jalapeno harissa, and sustainable white battered fish tacos with crispy capers, tartar and tajin shoestring fries.

As ever, the food at Kong’s is set apart by the attention to detail. There is no scrimping on flavour here.

As for the new quesadillas, each comes with candied jalapenos, guacamole and heaps of cheese, as well as crema and house hot sauce.

As for sides and sauces, choose from crispy shoestring fries, queso cheese loaded fries, or a ‘nacho salad’ with charred sweetcorn, salsa, lime jalapeno dressing and crumbled cheese.

Read more: A new Japanese matcha dessert house has opened in Manchester

Alternatively, you can go all out with the loaded beef Birria fries, feat. barbacoa beef Bbirria gravy and a rich queso cheese sauce.

Currently in its soft launch phase, Kong’s officially opens at Black Dog Ballroom on Monday from 12-9pm. seven days a week.

Feature image – The Manc Eats

A new Japanese matcha dessert house has opened in Manchester city centre at the new Circle Square development.

Called Tsujiri, it has moved into Manchester’s newest neighbourhood on Oxford Road. It is the second opening in the city for the brand, which is already established in London and abroad.

When Tsjuri opened its first location here in Chinatown mid-pandemic, it saw foodies flock to its basement shop for a taste of its bright-green matcha basque cheesecakes, ice cream and lattes.

Now, it is expanding with a second underground cafe ten minutes’ walk down the road. Situated under Vita Living North, here you’ll find an array of different Japanese desserts alongside its various bright and colourful teas.

Focusing on a traditional Japanese dessert menu, including sundaes built using matcha-flavoured ice creams, all matcha used in Tsujiri’s desserts is sourced directly from Japan.

The company, first born in Kyoto in 1860, is over 150 years old, and still uses the same matcha from its Japanese hometown across its restaurants today.

This vibrant green matcha can be found within most of the new cafe’s menu such as its soft serves, teas and cakes. It is also selling bags of matcha that can be enjoyed at home. 

Read more: A wine and crisp pairing night is coming to Manchester

The health benefits of matcha are widely celebrated, from its antioxidants called catechins, which are said to be the key to anti-ageing, to a high amount of substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Consuming matcha daily is also thought to be good for your mental health, with researchers saying that the natural compounds in matcha act on natural serotonin and dopamine systems in the brain. Like we needed another reason to go and get that bright green cheesecake.

Speaking on the new opening, Nicholas Moo, Co-Owner of Tsujiri said: “We are excited to open our second site in Manchester, we love the Japanese dessert culture and it is becoming an increasingly popular offering across the city, so can’t wait to welcome people in to try it out.

Read more: Hulme’s Old Abbey Taphouse crowned CAMRA’s Community Pub of the Year

“The location at Circle Square is perfect, because not only does it have a thriving community with its residents and office workers but it is situated very close to the University, meaning the site has a naturally high footfall and we cant wait for people to come in and try it.”

The new Tsujiri site is open now at Circle Square from 12-9.30pm seven days a week.

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