Popular Ancoats restaurant Canto has launched a new menu as the spring season approaches.
The new offer builds on the neighbourhood restaurant’s signature dishes, combining flavours from across Portugal and the Iberian Penninsula to offer a rounded menu rich in fish, meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Making a big impact in small plate form is Canto’s new and expanded petiscos selection. Doubling in size, the expanded list sees the introduction of crispy fried baby squid with aioli; mushroom croquetas with black garlic mayo; Catalan bread with olive oil, garlic and fresh tomato, and jamo̒n croquetas. All sit alongside the restaurant’s much-loved favourites and range from £3.50 to £9.00, making them the perfect addition to a glass of wine or as an introduction to the bigger of the Cutting Room Square restaurant’s dishes.
Satisfying the appetites of meat lovers are a selection of new and revised plates including: classic chargrilled peri peri chicken; grilled chorizo, roasted potatoes and piquillo pepper purée, and braised pig’s cheeks, Ibérico ham mashed potatoes and kale. Providing a nod to Canto Head Chef Carlos Gomes’ former experience at Japanese restaurant Koya, and serving a taste of some of the Japanese dishes influenced by Portuguese cuisine, the newly added lamb skewers with teriyaki sauce and wild mushrooms are deliciously rich whilst light, and work brilliantly with the miso glazed carrots.
Leading the list of new fish dishes and one of Gomes’ own family favourites is shellfish rice with prawns, mussels and cod. Cod pil pil with caramelised peppers and red onion; Mediterranean tiger prawns with garlic and chilli, and Canto signature dish, Octopus lagareiro, sit alongside.
Effortlessly complementing the meat and fish dishes whilst making for a meal all of their own, are seven vegetable dishes including: polenta, spinach, poached egg and manchego cheese; Canto tortilla, served with aioli, and caramelised cauliflower, chickpeas and fritarda sauce.
Speaking on the new menu, Head Chef of Canto, Carlos Gomes, said: “Unlike some cuisines, which have very prominent identities, Portuguese food has many influences.”
“Two of the oldest countries in Europe, the cultural diversity found in Portugal and across the Iberian Penninsula makes for a really exciting dining experience, borrowing flavours, ingredients and styles of cooking from many regions.
“The spring menu provides a further taste of this vibrant culinary scene with simple dishes that are full of flavour.”
A new set menu combining nine of Canto’s main small plates, followed by two desserts – the almond tarte and marscarpone mousse, and the restaurant’s acclaimed ice cream – presents great value at £30 and makes dining as a group easy.
The seasonal dishes are available to enjoy at the neighbourhood restaurant now.
Canto is open from Wednesday-Thursday 4pm-11pm, Friday 4pm-12am, Saturday 12pm-12am and Sunday 12pm-11pm. To make a reservation, please contact reservations@cantorestaurant.com or call 0161 870 5904.
