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You’ll have spotted Insitu Architectural Antiques & Salvage before, either while driving into town via Chester Road, or while stranded at Cornbrook tram stop. This is your sign to go inside.

The Hip Hop Chip Shop has announced it’s sadly closing its doors after 11 years.

Renowned chef Shaun Moffat, who has worked at a number of the region’s best restaurants, is opening the doors to his own place for the very first time. You’ll be able to find Winsome on Princess Street, adjoining the Whitworth Locke hotel. A star of the Manchester hospitality scene, and previous recipient of Manchester Chef of the Year, Moffat’s next venture will be a ‘relaxed, guest focused restaurant with Northern hospitality at its heart’. He’s brought in some superstar hospitality talent to realise the vision. The drinks programme (which you’ll also be able to enjoy in Whitworth Locke’s Atrium bar) will be led by Tom Fastiggi, previously of Schofield's. Owain Williams of Medlock Canteen and Madre completes the team. Winsome, which means ‘fresh and appealing’, is set to open this spring.

This Sunday 9 Feb is National Pizza Day, and while you could argue that every day is pizza day at Ramona, they’re going all out for the occasion. They’re giving away 200 slices for free, and they’re leaning heavily into the Sunday dinner theme. The roast pork and cracklin’ slice features roasted pork belly, crispy pork crackling, apple sauce, gravy and chives. Plus, you can still get classic margherita slices for just £1.25 between 2pm and 5pm. Prefer your margs liquid? You can get their signature and frozen margarita cocktails for £6. Sounds like an ideal way to round off your weekend to us. You need to book a table to claim a free slice here:

Hot off the back of their burger pop-up, Where The Light Gets In have regenerated again. This time they’ve gone all plastic checked table cloths, serving up French country classics with real je ne sias quois. They’re up in The Bungalow in KAMPUS, but this time they are playing at being a bistro. And yes, this is an ‘art installation’, and yes, they are ‘exploring the tension between city life and rural tradition’ - a Dacha is a type of community-run allotment in Russia - but before you lose your head, the food is really, really delicious. And pretty well priced too. Dishes include Carlingford oysters, a ‘mix your own’ venison tartare, moules frites and a rustic mutton stew that dreams are made of. Vegetarians won’t miss out either, there’s a beetroot and blue cheese tart and a mushroom cassoulet on offer. The puddings are pretty special too: a chocolate mousse and a rhubarb crumble. It’s simple, delicious, and a little bit tongue-in-cheek. Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. You can eat at Dacha until 1 March, after which normal service will resume at Where The Light Gets In in Stockport.

Pennington Plaice in Leigh has just been named one of the top 50 fish & chip shops in the UK, and we made the journey for one menu item in particular - the ‘Super Barm’. 🐟

OUT OF TOWNERS - A NEW DINING SERIES BY MANCHESTER'S FINEST⁠ ⁠ We’re doing a new thing. It’s called Out of Towners, a supper club series where we’ll be bringing the best restaurants and the best chefs in the UK to the heart of Manchester for one night only.⁠ ⁠ We’ll be finding all kinds of spaces to do them in, all around the city, from cherished spots in town to weird and wonderful previously undiscovered locations.⁠ ⁠ Our first Out of Towners event is happening on Tuesday 25 February, and we’ll be bringing something very special to the city - a critically acclaimed Michelin-starred kitchen from the Lake District, which is currently having a bit of a moment thanks to the Great British Menu.⁠ ⁠ Manchester's Finest Subscribers will get first access to the limited number of tickets this Wednesday 5 February at 10am, with general release on Thursday 6 February.⁠

Here’s our list of the best things to do in Manchester this week…

INSIDE THE RANDOM STOCKPORT OFFICE BUILDING WITH SOME OF THE BEST VINTAGE GEAR IN THE NORTH WEST Head up to the sixth floor of what looks like a pretty ordinary office block on Lord Street in Stockport and you’ll find Millennial. It’s an unusual spot, we’ll be honest, but that’s what makes it one of the coolest vintage stores we’ve come across. Will is the guy behind it, and he’s got an eye for a great piece. He’s big into Americana, but you’ll find some great pre-loved Brit labels in there too, from Aquascutum to Burberry. He also has a wild line in rare and vintage band t-shirts, baseball jackets, utility gear, military garms and loads more. You can head over for one of his open days, on the first weekend of every month, or throw him a DM to make an appointment. ⏰ Open Feb 1, 11am-5pm and Feb 2 11am-4pm 📍 6th Floor, Hilton House, Lord St, Stockport, SK1 3NA 💰 Prices vary

Kickstart your new wellness routine at @Selfridges, from beauty treatments to activewear. 🏃💄

Inside the Lunar New Year lion dance 🧧

As we usher in the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake, we took in the best Chinese food Manchester has to offer, from BBQ in Openshaw to traditional roast duck in Chinatown. Gong hei fat choy! Full round up here:

Chester Zoo is set to create 51 safari-style lodges which will offer overnight accommodation to visitors. Called The Reserve at Chester Zoo, guests will be able to stay in and amongst the wildlife. There will be a variety of different lodges, available for up to nine people. A number will be located at the side of a lake while others will offer views of a private savannah-style habitat, home to Northern giraffes. Guests will also have out-of-hours access to the zoo, the opportunity to engage in a range of behind-the-scenes and animal experiences. The lodges have been crafted using natural and sustainable materials, with the decor being inspired by the landscapes in Africa where the zoo is helping with the conservation of endangered species. It's due to open in August 2025, and bookings go on general sale at 9am on Wednesday 29 January, with Chester Zoo members receiving exclusive early access from 9am on Tuesday 28 January.