It’ll be headed up by Canto and El Gato Negro’s very own Simon Shaw.
Following major success with both El Gato Negro and Canto, chef patron Simon Shaw is set to launch a brand new project in Manchester city centre – this time, bringing the divine flavours of the Middle East to our eclectic city.
Located at 43a Brown St in a stunning Grade II heritage building, Habas has completely transform the former wine cellar with four distinct areas across one floor, including the main restaurant and atmospheric, open kitchen, a bar area, a live music lounge and a private dining room. Shaw’s team has lovingly restored a number of building’s original features, adding their own Middle Eastern touches to the space, too, helping to create a ‘sense of discovery’ when you enter the venue.
At every corner there’s something new to see, with the team sourcing some incredible decorative items to fill up the space with. We’re talking vintage books, ceramic pottery, Persian rugs, rustic candles and tons of intricate ‘knick knacks’. It’s a feast for the eyes, and the tummy, too.
Describing the venue as “somewhere that you can settle down for the night with great table service and music too”, Simon Shaw will be introducing a live music aspect to his brand new offering, with a regular programme in store for guests to enjoy.
Speaking on his introduction to Middle Eastern food, Shaw says: “I was probably into Middle Eastern food before Spanish if I’m honest. It was back in ‘98 when I was living in London that I first became interested in it; going for a shawarma late at night was our thing.”
Adding: “I knew then that I wanted to open a modern Middle Eastern restaurant; this isn’t a new thing. I’ve directed some of that influence into dishes at El Gato Negro as there’s so much overlap in styles and ingredients, but it’s really exciting to focus on this diverse region’s many cuisines with Habas.”
Here’s a sneak peek of what guests can expect on the menu this June:
- Homemade garlic and herb flatbread with hummus and zhug
- Middle Eastern raw slaw with pomegranate molasses
- Bata harra – spicy fried potatoes with dill sour cream
- Beetroot hummus with Greek yoghurt and dill
- Feta cheese, wilted spinach and sunblush tomato filo cigars
- Spiced lamb ‘jackets’- fried potato skins filled with spiced lamb, served with mint yoghurt
- Turkish delight cheesecake
- Chargrilled monkfish fillet, served with tomato and tamarind sauce, and tahini yoghurt dressing
- Chocolate babka ‘French toast’
The menu will be split out into mezze, seafood, meat, vegetables and grains, desserts, and sweets – with plenty of dishes for seafood lovers, meat eaters, vegans and vegetarians to enjoy.
Habas is set to open its doors for the first time on June 3rd, with reservations open from 12 noon on May 20th here. For now, you can enjoy Shaw’s other fantastic offerings, El Gato Negro and Canto.
[Featured image: Supplied]