Asha’s becomes the only Manchester Indian restaurant to ever feature in Michelin Guide and the owners bring in Manchester based Escapade consultancy to maximise the opportunity in the city.
One year after opening, Asha’s restaurant in Manchester has been included in the prestigious Michelin Guide 2017 – the only Indian restaurant to ever be recognised by the Guide in Manchester. One of only 25 venues recognised across the Greater Manchester area this year, the Peter Street restaurant has also been shortlisted in the upcoming Manchester Food and Drink Festival awards for Best Front of House Team.
Susan Potter, Managing Director of ARIL Group, says:
“The Asha’s restaurant team are delighted that their contemporary Indian menu has proven popular with the judges and the public. The innovative menu celebrates authentic Indian flavours and spices, while providing a modern twist on recipes our guests know and love – all using the best fresh and locally sourced ingredients.”
The Asha’s team is used to Michelin recognition, as its sister restaurant at Newhall Street in Birmingham has been included in the Michelin guide for the eighth consecutive year.
The Asha’s team say the success of the first year is down to legendary Bollywood singing star and namesake, Asha Bhosle, the inspiration behind the restaurant group, with many of the dishes on the menu originating from her own recipes. 84-year-old Asha continues to select and grind the spices at Mumbai’s famous souks, distributing her signature masala to the ten restaurants worldwide bearing her name.
After its first successful year the team behind Asha’s has taken on board Escapade UK, Manchester’s professional hospitality management consultants, to build on its initial success.
Director Dan Purnell who spent three years as Beverage Manager at the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai before setting up Escapade, says:
“I’ve known the brand since it opened in Wafi City, Dubai in 2002. To have the opportunity to work with the team to build the brand back here in the North West is a dream for me. Escapade have strong recent experience of working with prestigious brands such as Tattu and Neighbourhood and we look forward to working with the team to take the restaurant to the next level.”
Asha works closely with Executive Chef, Ashwani Rangta, to oversee the delicious array of modern Indian cuisine on offer. From Northern India, Ashwani’s has cooked for heads of state and luminaries at five star hotels around the country before joining Asha at the ARIL Group.
Along with a knowledgeable and customer-focused front of house team , the Asha offer has worked for Manchester diners who enjoy both the lunchtime and evening menus. Pairing the food with an exciting, modern cocktail menu and carefully selected wine list has ensured Asha’s stands out as THE dining destination in the region – even being chosen by Guy Garvey, the lead singer of Elbow, for his wedding reception earlier this year.
