It's been years in the making, but Fenix, the new glamorous restaurant from the team behind popular city centre eatery Tattu is finally giving diners a sneak peek of its stunning interiors. Opening its doors to the public on November 30, the restaurant is set to bring contemporary Greek-Mediterranean food and culture to Manchester within a stunning two-storey setting.
Sitting at the edge of Spinningfields, it has taken up residence in the new "Enterprise City" part of town - the area around the old Granada Studios now known as St John's overseen by Allied London. The new restaurant already counts Aviva Studios (Factory International), the huge arts and culture space that opened its doors this summer as neighbours, and next year it will be joined by the hotly anticipated arrival of members' club Soho House.
Inspired by the food scene of Mykonos and the Greek islands, Fenix's creation was born out of the pandemic, when Tattu founders Adam and Drew Jones were forced to close their restaurants. Just like the mythical phoenix rising, there is an element of rebirth and renewal at play, a theme that has driven forward the restaurant's opulent design.
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Following on from the award-winning design of Tattu, Fabled Studios have created a downstairs bar area inspired by the mythical creature's nest. Whilst sipping on a carefully curated ensemble of cocktails, guests will sit beneath stone-washed arches and a canopy of golden grasses, while what appears to be flames flicker around them - a reference to Greece's volcanic elements.
There's a clear emphasis of light and shade in the downstairs space. On one hand, there's a moody, intimate element created through a mixture of dark wood dining tables and hidden alcoves decorated with Grecian pottery and plumes of dried flowers, while on the other side it feels like you've stepped into bohemian hotel with its own full-sized olive tree and rustic driftwood chairs - you could basically be in Mykonos.
Cutting edge light technology which mimics the setting sun and rising moon across the Greek isles builds on this theme. The effect of this clever lighting is to take the restaurant from an idyllic, glowing daytime retreat, through to a romantic, moonlit paradise each evening.
A spiral staircase leads diners upstairs, where the story is one of the phoenix rising. The light and open dining space features a number of cosy seating nooks as well as a chef’s table set around the open grill. Earlier this year, Fenix bosses announced that the dining concept would be led by two acclaimed Greek chefs, with the aim to "bring modern techniques together with traditional ingredients and flavours".
Leading the brigade, Executive Head Chef, Ippokratis Anagnostelis, has built a strong reputation across a number of fine dining establishments in Athens and Mykonos, from Jackie ‘O and Kensho Mykonos to Kiku and Michelin-Star destination, Hytrain. He's joined by long-time collaborator and Head Chef, Zisis Giannouras, and together they have created a sharing-concept menu designed to take customers on a journey through traditional and modern cuisine.
From fresh pita served with delicious accompaniments of grilled aubergine, tomato confit and feta espuma, to hearty portions of spiced beef meatballs, grilled octopus with Aegean fava beans, dishes are inspired by Greek traditions alongside Mediterranean flavours - but served with a contemporary touch. Those seated at the chef's table will have a front-row seat on the action as they watch the freshest seafood and locally sourced meats cooked over a spectacular charcoal fired grill right in front of them.
As well as sharing starters, there will also be a variety of pasta and rice dishes, a ‘cold’ menu including sea bass ceviche and steak tartare, and a clay-pot roasted leg of lamb folded in vine leaves. Also expect to see tiger prawns with yuzu sauce and a speciality Wagyu stifado, glazed with a Wagyu jus, and served with braised onions, spices and cumin potato emulsion.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News about the concept, Head Chef, Zisis Giannouras said: "Drew and Adam came to Mykonos, tried the food of many restaurants, but liked what we were doing the most and brought that concept, plus the hospitality of Greece here to Manchester. This is a new concept, nowhere else in the city is offering something like this - there's a lot of different influences including Asian and Peruvian that takes traditional dishes and reimagines them.
"This is an amazing opportunity for us to bring elements of our cuisine here. Manchester is far larger than Mykonos, so to have the opportunity to show all these people a new concept is very exciting. If people like our flavours, it would be a great achievement.
"I think the meatballs will go down very well along with the calamari. For me, its the traditional stifado made with lots of onions that is typically made with game meat but here will be with Wagyu. Cooked for hours, I think the clay-pot roasted leg of lamb will be very popular with Manchester diners.
Wines will focus on the variety of produce from Greek and Cycladic vineyards, with more than 30 percent of the list sourced from Greece. Situated on a terroir of rich volcanic soils, the region produces wines of expressive and complex character offering a smooth, mineral finish, pairing perfectly with the smokey, charred meat, fish and vegetables from Fenix central grill.
And for those who fancy a cocktail, Will Meredith, Group Head of Bars, has created 16 tipples celebrating the four elements that shape the mystical Greek Isles; Water, Earth, Air and Fire. Signature concepts include; Whirlpool Fizz’, which is inspired by the mythical Charybdis sea monster, ‘Sirens Call’ a mix of vodka, strawberry leaf and sweet tomato delivered in a seashell vessel; and ‘Fenix Nest Sour’ a velvety blend of Metaxa 12 Star and roasted cashew served in a smouldering nest.
The launch of Fenix follows the founders decision earlier this year to rebrand Tattu to the name ‘Permanently Unique’. The updated name for the group was announced in tandem with news around the expansion of its restaurant portfolio.
Founded in Manchester in 2015 by brothers Adam and Drew Jones, the Permanently Unique group not long ago launched Tattu London at The Outernet development, following the success of their existing locations across the UK and the original Tattu in Manchester.
Fenix will launch in Manchester on Thursday, 30 November 2023. You can find Fenix at The Goods Yard Building Goods Yard Street, Manchester M3 3BG.
