The standard of gastronomy in Manchester at the moment is pretty spectacular, with highly-rated spots opening left, right and centre. Now, Dainā (pronounced day-nah), a new Asian dining concept, has launched at Side Street Studio in the St. John’s neighbourhood.
Dainā is set to kickstart the venue’s kitchen collaboration initiative, which will see upcoming chefs given an opportunity to develop their culinary and cultural ideas in a city centre space. The first kitchen residency from Side Street Studio brings together chefs Jake Huxley and Samuel Jethro – formerly of Seesaw cafe – and their love for creative cooking, Asian techniques and British and local ingredients.
The pair will meld together Samuel’s love of Asian cuisine and Jake’s passion for making dough, to create a carefully crafted menu of small plates for a casual dining experience. Diners can expect bao buns, made in-house, alongside the likes of red braised pork belly with marinated egg, and smoked mackerel with daikon and lemon.
Dainā’s Side Street Studio residency began on November 30, and will be open Wednesday – Saturday each week, 5pm – 10pm. Food will be accompanied by a drinks list including organic wines, beers, classic and remixed cocktails. Dainā will incorporate ingredients from local suppliers as well as making use of authentic produce sourced from the city’s considerable Chinese community.
Samuel Jethro and Jake Huxley, Chefs at Dainā, said: “Our concept is a collision of love and appreciation for Chinese cuisine combined with the science of making perfect dough. We want people to enjoy the food we enjoy creating.
“Our food is best enjoyed in good company in a relaxed environment, making Side Street Studio’s setting an ideal backdrop. Our aim is to elevate some familiar and unfamiliar ingredients into wholesome dishes so we can showcase the brilliant art of Asian cooking in a way that brings something new to the table.”
Side Street Studio is an experiential destination which aims to offer a platform for the Manchester’s arts, music and design talent to share their craft with the community. The new destination will become a creative hub for the St. John’s district.
The dynamic lounge and studio offers a space to work, socialise, create, perform and exhibit – at all times of the day and night. The venue hosts a revolving roster of DJs, brand pop-ups, industry workshops and events.
Callum Stretton, General Manager at Side Street Studio, said: “Side Street Studio’s concept is formed around the notion of collaboration. Our kitchen is no different from our creative studio; it’s an opportunity for emerging and established talent to come together and showcase their skills and art.
“We set out to put a spotlight on creatives, brands and artists from around Manchester and beyond, which will come to life in our diverse calendar of events and residencies across multiple disciplines.
“The first kitchen residency and collaboration adds another dimension to Side Street Studio’s mission – a culinary one. We’re collaborating with Jake and Samuel to bring a new dining concept to St John’s district.”
Side Street Studio hosts a series of DJs in its lounge every Friday and Saturday, alongside Album Club each Wednesday night, a specially curated evening of uninterrupted and unshuffled albums, handpicked by the Studio team and Manchester tastemakers. The Studio will also host British clothing brand, Blue Flowers, from Friday 15 December for a week-long pop-up.
Table bookings can be made online at here, and walk-ins are welcome. Follow Side Street Studio on Instagram to keep up with their events in Manchester.
Dainā is located at Side Street Studio in the ABC Building, Lower Byrom Street, St. John’s, Manchester, M3 4AE.