As we start the new year, we see a rise in popularity for healthy food spots, however one shouldn’t deprive themselves of lovely carbohydrates that’s for sure. During the gloomy month of January there’s no better option than turning to our most-loved comfort foods many of which derive from the underrated and versatile potato- chips, mash, roasties, jackets, hash browns, pancakes and even lattes! Luckily for Mancs, this month one restaurant in the city is hosting a festival dedicated to the humble potato.
Back for another year, the much-loved annual potato pancake festival is taking place at Platzki, a Manchester restaurant serving modern Polish cuisine, on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th January. Nowhere in Manchester quite does this traditional Polish delicacy quite like Platzki, located within Deansgate Mews, so this is the prime opportunity to devour some of these crispy fried potato delights.
Known as placki ziemniaczanes in Polish, these potato pancakes have been a staple in Polish households for centuries, which are traditionally served as a meat substitute during Lent and as an alternative to bread during times of poverty. Now, the delightfully crunchy yet soft-centred speciality has been reimagined with a variety of toppings and garnishes – from wild creamy mushroom sauce with fresh herbs, to sausage stew, to roasted pork neck with potato dumplings and horseradish gravy.
Platzki has curated a menu with meat and vegetarian options for everyone to enjoy, which also features the likes of sauerkraut soup with potatoes and carrots and sour rye soup (it is soup season after all) with mashed potato and Polish sausage. This is not the first time that Platzki has dedicated an event to a traditional Polish dish, as last autumn saw the restaurant host a pierogi and vodka festival too.
Available for just two days only, the new year is the perfect excuse to try new and exciting dishes. Booking for this potato pancake festival is not required and sittings are available between 4pm and 10pm. So be sure to get down early, as not to miss out.
Find Platzki at 229 Deansgate, The Great Northern Warehouse, M3 4EN.