The restaurant group behind hit London restaurants Gloria and Carlotta will open their new Manchester restaurant Circolo Popolare, a ‘Sardinian Festa’-inspired trattoria, this June, it’s been confirmed.
Paris-based Big Mamma will be opening the new place at Gary Neville’s under-construction St Michael’s development, off Deansgate.
Its OTT restaurants in London – including Gloria, Carlotta, Jacuzzi, Ave Mario and another branch of Circolo Popolare – are known for their maximalist, retro-inspired decor.
The new restaurant at St Michael’s will be spread across two floors.
The huge downstairs restaurant will be modelled on an ‘overgrown mediterranean courtyard’ with sharing tables, and space for 280 diners, decorated with antique trinkets, traditional Moorish head statues and even its own wishing well.
Upstairs will be a more intimate space with cosy alcoves and an open kitchen, while on the menu will be everything from fresh, grilled seafood to proper Neapolitan pizza.
Co-founders Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux have shared: “Our 10-year Big Mamma adventure has continued to surprise and challenge us, and we couldn’t think of a better restaurant that encapsulates everything we strive for than the joyful and atmospheric Circolo Popolare, in the vibrant community-driven city of Manchester.
“Having visited Manchester multiple times to find this unique spot, we have both been bowled over by the sheer plethora of hospitality talent within the city.
“We are hugely excited to be even a small part of this, and to bring our superb Italian products we spent 3 years personally sourcing to another major European city.”
The group has recently also opened up restaurants in Milan, Brussels and Barcelona.
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