Chorlton favourite The Creameries is to re-launch itself, serving a new southern Italian menu.
The neighbourhood spot, founded by chef Mary-Ellen McTague, will be renamed Campagna at The Creameries, and headed up by Creamerie’s head chef Mike Thomas, formerly of Stockport Michelin-star hopeful Where The Light Gets In.
“It's been a pleasure working with Mike this last couple of years, and to see his skills and confidence grow,” said McTague.
“I'm so excited to see Campagna come to fruition. Chorlton is in for a treat!"
The restaurant opened its doors in 2018, not long after McTague left the celebrated Aumbry restaurant in Prestwich.
Set on the site of an Edwardian dairy, the restaurant emerged after a successful crowd-funding drive, serving food and baking bread from morning till night, with a fine-dining atmosphere and fixed price tasting menus taking over in the evening.
It quickly drew the attention of national critics, with The Times’ Marina O’Laughlin and The Observer’s Jay Rayner among those giving it rave notices.
However, the pandemic caused the restaurant to rethink its offering in October last year, announcing that it was planning to become a neighbourhood bar instead.
Now dishes will be more rustic, such as a cuttlefish stew with braised fennel, and a confit duck leg with puy lentils.
There will also be Italian country classics like beef shin or wild rabbit ragu, and proper ‘al forno’ (from the oven) dishes on Sundays.
The menu will change with the seasons, with fresh produce coming from the Cinderwood Market Garden in Nantwich, and meat from the renowned Littlewoods Butchers in Heaton Chapel.
The restaurant opens in its new form on February 3.
