Paradise Skate World
Possibly because this blog is written by a mere earthling, we do not understand why there seems to have been a mini-outbreak of space-themed venues and events recently.
First up is Manchester’s Paradise Skate World where, we are told, ‘roller skating, music and cocktails collide with deep space fantasy and good-time-only vibes’. Launching on 2nd June on Deansgate, the venue features a 4500 square feet, wood-sprung rink around a cocktail bar and lounge. If you want to roller skate into another dimension, then you are advised to book in advance and tickets cost £12.50 for a 60 minute skating session.
National Space Centre
Meanwhile, in another galaxy called Leicester, the National Space Centre is holding a supper club that features dining with a view of the stars. Taking place on 11 June – World Gin Day – the evening includes a gin cocktail; a design-your-own-gin station and a five course tasting menu as well as a deep space exploration of the galleries and a screening in the UK’s largest planetarium. The menu will focus on dishes which are seasonal, sustainable and local. While ‘local’ is, of course admirable, we hear that the Alpha Centauri space mango crop is sensational this aeon.
The Arnage at The Motorist
Switching from space cadets to petrolheads, The Arnage is a new car-themed restaurant at The Motorist at Sherburn in Elmet, around half an hour’s drive east from Leeds. As well as the new restaurant, The Motorist venue is a garage, classic car showroom and café plus event space. Named after a corner at Le Mans, The Arnage is run by Chef Ian Matfin whose CV includes spells with Raymond Blanc and Gordon Ramsay. As you might imagine, the menu is not short of racing references. Side dishes are co-drivers; the dessert menu is labelled the Podium finish and starters are chosen from the Starting Grid.
Culture
Accelerating away from themed restaurants into Cornwall, June should see the launch of Culture, a new restaurant on Custom House Quay in Falmouth. It will be the first independent restaurant for Hylton and Petronella Espey.
Hylton is well known in the area’s foodie circles for his six year stint as Head Chef at Rastella at Merchants Manor Hotel. He gained three AA Rosettes at Rastella, not least for his dedication to Cornish produce. Championing of local ingredients is central to Culture’s ethos with the chefs foraging daily as well as sourcing from hand-picked local suppliers.
In addition to seasonality, Hylton’s dishes will be inspired by his own experiences. For example, his Story of Lamb dish came about after he watched lambs grazing on hedgerow herbs ruffled by salty Atlantic breezes.
Noble Palace
Chinese fine dining is on the menu at this new restaurant on Brewer’s Green near St James’ Park in London. Taking inspiration from all eight of China’s culinary regions, the chefs will be serving dishes such as drunken chicken, baked bean curd skin rolls with mushrooms and braised Chilean seabass. If you really want to push the boat out then set sail for the Scottish lobster with udon noodles or the Peking duck which can be served with Beluga caviar, black truffle pancakes or stuffed with abalone.
The chefs will also be creating daily specials depending on whatever produce looks best on the day. Along with feng shui design principles and hand-blown glass lights, Noble Palace will feature a bar where guests are served cocktails based on their mood, feelings and emotions. After lobster udon and Peking duck with Beluga caviar the over-riding emotion for most people would be that of feeling distinctly skint but we are sure Noble Palace will find its audience.
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