Big Mamma, the restaurant group behind some of Europe's most Instagram-friendly dining locations, has confirmed plans to open a new establishment in Greater Manchester. The French company, known for its Italian-led restaurant brands such as Gloria Trattoria, Ave Mario, Jacuzzi, and Carlotta, will launch its first site in the North of England at Gary Neville's £400m St Michael's development.
The new two-storey restaurant and bar, Circolo Popolare, is described as a 'sunny Sicilian trattoria'. Big Mamma's Italian dining concepts are known for their dramatic interiors and immersive menus, featuring dishes like carbonara served in a giant wheel of cheese, Neapolitan pizzas and 'scandalous' desserts.
Last May, it was confirmed that the group had submitted plans to open in the city. Now, details about Circolo Popolare, its opening date, and what patrons can expect from the new site just off Deansgate have been revealed.
The 'jasmine-clad' trattoria will accommodate 280 guests and will draw inspiration from Sardinia, with features such as twinkling festoon lights strewn across a eucalyptus-clad ceiling of a wild overgrown courtyard floor, as well as trinkets, ceramics and a lucky Italian wishing well. The upstairs area is described as a 'villa hideaway', and a 'cosy terracotta den' where diners can sit by the kitchen counter and watch Head Chef Alfonso grilling fresh British seafood or crafting crispy-soft Neapolitan pizzas.
Set to open its doors this June, the restaurant will feature Big Mamma's most extensive selection of produce yet, reports .
The menu promises sharing plates accompanied by oversized cocktails or shots from a three-litre amaro bottle making rounds in the dining area. Desserts will include traditional classics like pistachio tiramisu served directly at the table.
The co-founders of Big Mamma, Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux, said: "Our 10-year Big Mamma adventure has continued to surprise and challenge us, and we couldn't think of a better restaurant that encapsulates everything we strive for than the joyful and atmospheric Circolo Popolare, in the vibrant community-driven city of Manchester.
"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 3 years personally sourcing to another major European city."
Mr Lugger and Mr Seydoux established the brand in 2013 and inaugurated their first restaurant, East Mamma, in Paris in 2015.
Big Mamma operates 27 establishments across the continent, including Pink Mamma and La FelicitaÌ€ in Paris, Giacomo on Larvotto beach in Monaco, and their latest venture, Gloria in Milan. The group made its º£½ÇÊÓƵ debut with Gloria, a 70s-inspired, Capri-styled eatery located in Shoreditch, followed by Circolo Popolare in 2019, a 'sunny Sicilian trattoria' in Fitzrovia.
After these successful ventures, they opened Ave Mario in Covent Garden, their largest restaurant to date, featuring nearly 300 covers spread over three spaces and two large terraces.
Gary Neville's £400m St Michael's development, launched in July 2023, is now under construction, set to transform a 'pivotal yet underused' area of the city.
The project, overseen by Neville's building company Relentless, will feature a 41-storey tower housing the W Hotel and Residences. Additionally, Peruvian-Japanese restaurant Chotto Matte will occupy the 20,000 sq ft rooftop space of the St Michael's building, complete with terrace seating, a fire pit, and panoramic city views.
Circolo Popolare is scheduled to open its doors this June at No 1 St Michael's, located at 36 Jackson's Row.
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