Last night, February 18, saw the media launch of the widely anticipated El Gato Negro, attended by highly respected food and drink writers from across the North West and beyond. The event was held ahead of the restaurant’s official opening on February 22.
Guests including celebrity chef Simon Rimmer were treated to welcome drinks and a speech from founder and Chef Patron Simon Shaw on his ambitious plans for the restaurant at 52 King Street, Manchester.
The select crowd of industry experts sampled delicacies from the impressive ground floor charcuterie counter before taking to the first floor restaurant where vistas over the King Street conservation area were enjoyed from sumptuous seating. Here, the food offering took centre stage served from the open finishing kitchen. Amongst the featured dishes were the confit of belly pork with rosemary flavour arrocina beans and Carabineros prawns with shellfish rice.
The Black Cat at El Gato Negro, the restaurant’s dedicated cocktail bar situated at the top of the building, provided the perfect setting for after dinner drinks. Guests had the opportunity to savour a selection of Beverage Manager Garry Foy’s exclusive cocktail creations under the retractable roof, which opens to reveal the Manchester sky.
Speaking on the launch event Simon Shaw said, “Following a successful few days of soft launch events with friends and family, we were delighted to welcome respected members of the North West’s food and drink industry to help celebrate our forthcoming opening.
“Standing here tonight I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, there have been some long hours invested and I couldn’t have done it without the fantastic team around me. We’re looking forward to opening the doors to the public next week and welcoming people to El Gato Negro Manchester.”
The interior of El Gato Negro reveal a scheme that pays homage to the building’s past life whilst incorporating modern design elements. The former retail space has been transformed to create a restaurant set across three distinct floors.
Leading the design of the project is Mark Mason of Mark Mason Design, a Manchester consultancy. Commenting on the scheme, Mason said, “The original building probably started life as possibly two or three houses that have been altered many times over a few hundred years to retail. This can be seen by looking at the layers and styles of brickwork that we have left exposed purposely to show the building’s heritage.
“The challenge was to convert a long, high building into a viable restaurant by fitting in steelwork, kitchens, mechanical extract and, of course, bars and seating. Obviously the focus is on quality Spanish cuisine, speciality beers and cocktails, but we didn’t want to create a specific Spanish theme to the design concept. We designed a comfortable relaxing urban bar/restaurant that would sit easily in London or New York. We’re proud it’s in Manchester.”
Simon Shaw said, “We’ve been careful to make the most of our new home in Manchester and to maintain the intimacy and character which has always been a key appeal of El Gato Negro.
We wanted to make this a venue that is inviting, comfortable and that will appeal to those looking to drop by for half an hour over a selection of tapas and a glass of wine or sherry, as much as it will for those taking time to enjoy a bigger occasion. We’re very much looking forward to sharing our vision with diners when we open our doors this month.”
At El Gato Negro a casual drinking and dining space unfolds at street level with a relaxed bar area and charcuterie counter serving a thoughtfully selected range of Spain’s best cheese and cured meats.
The food offering takes centre stage on the restaurant’s first floor with an open finishing kitchen, which will allow diners to experience the theatre and thrill of tapas in a Spanish style. Here, vistas over the King Street conversation area can be enjoyed from sumptuous seating and provides the perfect environment for longer dining experiences.
Dining enthusiasts eager to be amongst the first to experience the new restaurant can make reservations online via the website.
