Courteeners frontman Liam Fray has partnered with two of Manchester's leading hospitality figures to launch a new restaurant in the Northern Quarter.
The team, which also includes Jobe Ferguson of the Liar's Group and TNQ, and Anthony Fielden also of TNQ, plan to open The Smithfield Social in April.
Work is underway to transform the old Teacup Kitchen site into an all-day dining destination, inspired by Liam's favourite hangouts in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Teacup Kitchen closed for good during the first lockdown after a decade in the city centre.
The trio have been friends for years but this will be the first time they've partnered on a business venture such as this.
The Smithfield Social will pay homage to the historic Smithfield Market that once stood nearby, in name and in ethos, with fresh produce sourced as locally, as sustainably, and as seasonally as possible.
Albert Matthews Butchers in Bury will provide bacon cured especially for the restaurant, along with award-winning sausages, meatballs and Goosnargh chicken.
Brunches will be served through until 4pm every day, including dishes such as breakfast brioche rolls with treacle-cured streaky bacon, chorizo and grilled feta with eggs, hash browns with truffle mayo, and black pudding patties.
There'll be a menu of sandwiches - including meatball subs and pork roast with salsa verde - served at lunchtimes, and a selection of small plates with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
Jobe also says they'll serve the 'best coffee in town', with their own speciality roast from Heart and Graft.
The wine list will champion organic, vegan and British wines, all served by the glass, beers will come from Cloudwater, while cocktails will hint at health with low-alcohol options, and some drinks made with the restaurant's fresh juices.
One of the dishes Anthony is proudest of will be The Smithfield Social's lasagne, made with nduja and extra 'crispy bits', inspired by a dish on the menu at three-Michelin star Osteria Francescana.
The site runs straight through a block of the Northern Quarter with entrances on both Thomas Street and Edge Street.
It will be split into two main areas, one a casual all-day coffee, brunch and cocktail spot, with a slightly more formal table service restaurant area to the rear of the site, though both sides will be open flexibly from 8am until 1am, seven days a week.
With social distancing in place, The Smithfield Social will have space for 94 customers, but Jobe anticipates a capacity of 200 when restrictions relax - hopefully June 21, according to the Government's roadmap.
The restaurant will create 25 hospitality jobs across all disciplines.
The Smithfield Social plans to open, with outside space only, from April 12 or as soon as restrictions allow.
Speaking of the partnership with Liam Fray, Anthony said: "We've all had a huge input in all elements of the project, Liam and Jobe have got really involved in the food side.
"We've basically done everything together."
Jobe said: "There's light at the end of the tunnel. There are dates, and I've got a countdown on my phone counting down the seconds to reopening!
"Me and Ant have had TNQ for 17 years, it was one of the first places in the Northern Quarter. We just live and breathe it.
"Having the Teacup Kitchen site which was a real place , we want to keep that going. We're really excited about it.
"We're going to be part of keeping the Northern Quarter the amazing, diverse place it is."
