Dahlia is now open, the latest food and drink destination from the team Ramona, Firehouse and many more
Dahlia, Manchester’s major new open-fire restaurant, bar and music destination(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Manchester’s ‘first’ Latin-inspired restaurant has officially opened its doors in the Northern Quarter. Its marks the latest food and drink destination from the team behind Ramona, Firehouse, and Tangerine.
Dahlia can be found just off Stevenson Square in the heart of the Northern Quarter, in what was once the Pie & Ale site. Several concepts under one roof, it encompasses a open fire kitchen, barbecue and campfire cooking over flame, as well as a bar specialising in tequila, mezcal, rum and Latin spirts.
Meanwhile, the backdrop is the sound system with some of the best DJs taking over a level of sound system that is a first for a bar restaurant in Manchester.
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On launching in the Northern Quarter, Andy Windsor co-founder of Dahlia and WANT Studios said: “Manchester hospitality is always evolving and The NQ neighbourhood is thriving. We and we are one of number new openings.
“The guiding principle is ‘a mano’ by hand, where everything possible had been made by ourselves or an artisan. We want our food, drink music, people and design to all strive to best that they can be.”
The concept is inspired by the team’s travels all across Latin American and the Southern sunshine states – from San Diego to Mexico City, Oaxaca to Jalisco, Austin to Miami.
Dahlia’s restaurant is at the concept’s heart. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, customers can sit up at the counter and enjoy campfire cooking from chefs Will, Joe and Niamh. Split into two open plan sections, the kitchen serves up real Latin Barbacoa cooking, all designed to share, tear, dunk and dip.
The team recommends the charbreads from the in-house bakery, which are essentially golden domes of light and fluffy 48-hour sourdough fired in their own cast iron pans. Charred for just a few minutes on a super high heat, the result is a beautiful hot bread with a wood-fired leopard crust.
Traditional corn flour tortillas are also made to order, serving a gluten-free option, and are made fresh on the plancha. Their signature breads come with a selection of dips and plates, such as coal-roasted squash and jocoque – Dahlia’s signature whipped yoghurt dip with a colourful, bold and crunchy and smokey peanut chilli oil.
Accompanying this, from the aromatic wood-fire and charcoal grill there’s sharing plates to order, which includes 28 day ex-dairy sirloin served with a zesty-jalapeno-herb chimichurri, and half a Achiote chicken marinated in an earthy, aromatic traditional Mexican paste of ground Bixa Orellana seeds, spices and citrus.
Campfire potatoes, coal-roasted Massey farm potatoes with a proper Spanish aioli alongside fired corn all make a great list of supporting ‘poquiños’ (smalls). The team also highly recommends the smokey mushroom rice, blackened to order.
For afters, make sure to then try Dafne’s Blackberry Pavlova or the super indulgent chocolate mousse.
Dahlia also features a neighbourhood ‘Liquorita’ (liquor store) specialising in tequila, mezcal, rum and Latin spirits. There’s Modelo on tap and a superb wine list from the Americas and beyond to sample too.
The bar team make and bottle a number of serves including their own range as well, which includes Fro-Co Frozen Cola, made to their own recipe by the resident coke chef with rum or tequila, and a Champagne SuPaloma, bottled daily, plus a classic Paloma lengthened with champagne.
The music at the new venue is far from an afterthought. Dahlia Studio has been created to ensure a unique atmosphere with guest DJs including Gilles Peterson, Gia Fu, Dj Die and Dam Swindle all talking over in the coming weeks.
Designed by musicians, sound engineers and DJs, Dahlia Stereo aims to set a new standard for the city, a ‘sonically perfect’ bar and restaurant with real musicality at its core. It will be open until 1am, five nights a week.
“Quite simply it’s about the quality. This is the first time we’ve installed a system and acoustic treatment of the standard into a bar and restaurant. It’s not just the dance floor, it’s surrounds the guest in every part of Dahlia. We love it and hope everyone can feel and really enjoy the difference.
“We want to create the energy of an intimate club within a beautiful bar and restaurant. We are keeping capacity below 200 so the experience always feels personal, immersive and connected. Dahlia has been designed by the best DJs for the best DJs, but ultimately it has been lovingly made for everyone who truly loves music.”
The team are inviting people to join them with 50 percent off while they train the team. This offer will be available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays in September before 9pm, when customers book a table and follow @dahliastereo on Instagram.
Reservations are now open for food and drink. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 4pm or midday at weekends, with DJs an ever present feature in the Dahlia Stereo DJ booth.
