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Viral restaurant group Big Mamma is opening its first restaurant in northern England

Circolo Popolare is coming to Manchester – and it’s promising ‘never before seen’ dishes

India Lawrence
Written by
India Lawrence
Staff Writer, UK
The Manchester team at Circolo Popolare
Photograph: Big Mamma group
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You’ve probably seen the videos of people being served spaghetti out of a massive wheel of cheese. You were probably thinking, where can I get some of that gooey, cheesy pasta? If you live in Manchester, we have some good news for you. Circolo Popolare, a London resto famous for its carbonara prepared in a wheel of pecorino, is opening in the northern city. 

From June, Mancunians will be able to get that coveted social media moment at Circolo Popolara Manchester, owned by the Big Mamma group. Big Mamma is also responsible for London’s GloriaCarlotta, Ave Mario and Jacuzzi, as well as La Bellezza in Birmingham.

The new Italian restaurant will be inspired by a Sardinian ‘alfresco festa’, and open in a new development, St Michael's in Deansgate. 

The two-floor trattoria will emulate an overgrown courtyard downstairs, while upstairs will be a more cosy setting, with alcoves and an open kitchen. There are going to be plenty of photo-worthy opportunities, from a ceiling covered in eucalyptus, to an Italian wishing well in the restaurant. 

Campanian-born head chef Alfonso Esposito has designed a menu which promises to have ‘never before seen’ dishes, as well as classics like burrata, Neapolitan pizza and a fun-sounding pistachio tiramisu. 

Co-founders Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux said: ‘Having visited Manchester multiple times to find this unique spot, we have both been bowled over by the sheer plethora of hospitality talent within the city. We are hugely excited to be even a small part of this, and to bring our superb Italian products we spent three years personally sourcing to another major European city.’

Circolo Popolare will open at No 1 St Michael’s (M2 5DA) in June. 

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