Manchester Bites is an occasional round-up of what’s new and exciting in the restaurant world. Got a tidbit for us to use in our next Manchester Bites? Send it to carolrobidoux@manchesterinklink.com, subject line: Manchester Bites!
Dancing Lion Late-night Pop-Up Restaurant: It’s called Eterna and it officially launched March 22 (What you missed: Pork Tonkotsu Ramen or vegetarian Miso and Mushroom Ramen, served with Gyoza dumplings and Tsukemono Japanese style pickles.)
Under the direction of Executive Chef Angelina Jacobs (formerly of Cabonnay) – a brilliant get by Dancing Lion Chocoletier Richard Tango-Lowy – Jacobs is designing special menus to be served over a series of Friday night pop-up restaurants inside the intimate chocolate shop, located at 917 Elm St. Eterna will be open 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The menu is preset, focused, and changes weekly. We welcome both reservations and walk-in guests.
The rest of the schedule:
March 29 – Curry House – $10
Chicken Thai Curry or Vegetable Thai Curry, served with rice. Add Steamed Dumplings for $7.
April 5 – Taco Stand – $14
3 Barbacoa Tacos, Onion, Cilantro, Lime and Salsa Verde or 3 vegetarian Barbacoa style Tacos with pulled Jackfruit with avocado lime sauce, served with street corn and Refried Beans. All items are dairy free and gluten free.
April 12 – Bao Buns and Tarts – $15
3 Barbecued Pork Buns or vegetarian Braised Mushroom Bao Buns, served with Carrot and Daikon Pickles and a Hong Kong Style Egg Tart. Bao Buns are Dairy free.
April 19 – Harry Potter Magic – $25
Pumpkin Pasty, Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding, and a slice of Harry’s Favorite Treacle Tart. Chocolate Frog is on the House! No vegetarian or dairy free options available tonight. Add Butterbeer for $6 and a Golden Snitch for $5.
April 26 – A Trip to South Africa – $14
Boerewors, Chakalaka and Pap (South African Sausage, Vegetable Relish, Maze Porridge) or vegetarian Chakalaka, Pap and Moroccan Pita Bread. All items are dairy free.
May 3 – Chinese Breakfast for Dinner – $15
A Sweet Red Bean Bun and a Steamed Scallion Bun served with Chicken Congee, Chili Oil, Shredded Chicken and Sweet ‘n’ Sour Carrot Salad. All items are dairy free.
May 10th –Vietnam Street Food – $15
Beef Pho with basil, lime, chili, cilantro and Bean Sprouts served with Dau Chao Quay (Fried Bread Sticks). All items are dairy free. No vegetarian options tonight.
OFC Chicken V coming to Elm Street: It’s impossible to tell from the outside, but the former Karma Hookah Bar is being transformed into a Taiwanese restaurant. According to the building permit on the window, the restaurant will be OFC Chicken V – a franchise chain of restaurants founded in Brooklyn, NY, as a subsidiary of Oriental Chain Restaurants Industry Co. Ltd. The restaurant owner is listed as Dana Family Series LLC. out of Newton, Mass.
The Greenhouse: Healthy Fast Food: There’s a new food option in town, one that’s healthy and fast – grain bowls, smoothies, salads and other super good super food-centric menu options abound at The Greenhouse Manchester, 889 Elm Street. You can order online to speed things up, whether it’s a breakfast bowl you’re craving, or something you’d prefer to build yourself. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly, but there are proteins on the menu as well. Click here to check it out, and tell chef Andrew Thistle – who also manages Cheddar & Rye, the concept whiskey bar around the corner at 8 Hanover St., that the InkLink sent you! Hours: 8:30 a.m. -3 p.m.; 10 a.m. -3 p.m. Sundays.
Grand Reopening at North End Bistro: Our friends over at North End Bistro, 1361 Elm St., are excited to be reopening after being closed for interior renovations since late February. All that’s over now, and they will be open on Tuesday March 26, just in time for Prime Rib Tuesday – get a 16-ounce cut with garlic mashed potatoes for just $24, starting at 5 p.m. Also new: lunchtime appetizers and dinner service, starting at 4 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. (except for prime rib which will still start at 5 p.m.) And if you haven’t made plans yet for Easter brunch, there’s no place like North End Bistro. Follow along on Facebook for more updates.
Giorgio’s New Happy Hour: Every day, Monday through Saturday from 3-6 p.m. pop over to the West Side and enjoy Giorgio’s Ristorante & Bar‘s spread, which includes $8 Signature Martinis, $8 Happy Hour Buffet featuring Giorgio’s Famous Meatballs, Breads, Chips, Dips, and Arancinis; and the ever-popular Buck-a-Shuck Oysters.
Speaking of Happy Hour: Make sure you bookmark our It’s Happy Hour Somewhere post, so you can find what you need when you need it most.
Overheard at Bonfire Country Bar: We stopped by Bonfire on Elm Street Saturday for a bucket of Happy Hour Bacon and had a brief conversation with a patron who had come to visit the popular country-themed bar/restaurant from Concord. It was her first visit, and she was more than impressed with the place. She also said she was overwhelmed by all the eatery options in Manchester (in a good way) and was surprised to learn about our other attractions – we filled her in on The Bookery, Pop of Color, Board and Brews and Electric Avenue, to name a few. She was on her way to a Monarch’s game, but said she’d be back again for more. Takeaway: Sometimes we get worked up about what could be better about our beloved city, but from the outside in, Manchester is a happening place that draws folks from all around just to be part of it. #MHTPride
