With six metre high glittering pink arches, flowers everywhere and "Instagrammable moments aplenty" the first north west branch of famous London cake cafe EL&N is about to opens its doors at Trafford Palazzo.
The very pink, very large cafe has been causing a stir during its build at the heart of the shopping centre over recent weeks - right next to the big Primark.
Now the hoardings are down and the MEN got the first look inside the spectacular pink, neon and floral cafe ahead of its formal opening on Friday lunchtime.
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The distinctive EL&N branding stands for "Eat, Live and Nourish" and on-brand slogans are emblazoned throughout the restaurant, which is known as the "most instagrammable cafe in the world".
There's an eye-catching giant "XO" symbol at the entrance where diners can snap a picture perfect moment inside the heart-shaped "O". There are also plenty of nods to Manchester inside - with special MCR and bee neon signs on mirrored walls that are perfect for those selfie moments.
The cafe has taken over 2,300sq ft on the ground floor of Trafford Palazzo, the mall formerly known as Barton Square next to the Trafford Centre. It comes amid an ongoing rebrand of the centre as a retail and leisure destination.
Diners can expect the signature menu classics like brunch, cakes and a range of tasty mocktails that have made the EL&N cafe in London a huge hit, as well as new spring additions including truffle pasta, fresh summer salads and burgers and chips. The cafe will be open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner daily from 8am to 11pm.
The cafe's signature cakes will all be on display in a mouth-watering "Take the Cake" cabinet at the front of the cafe - where customers can also order cake takeaway.
Cakes including brownies, lotus biscoff, red velvet and mouth-watering daily changing tray bakes range in price from £4 to £9, while you can also order whole cakes for special occasions.
Mocktails, smoothies and speciality lattes and hot chocolates also feature on the menus, priced from £3 to £9, and the venue does not serve alcohol. Main meals are priced from £17 for the pasta specials, brunches from £9 and burgers from £14.
Alexandria Miller, Founder of EL&N London said: "Manchester is undoubtedly one of our most requested EL&N destinations and when we were given this opportunity at the Trafford Palazzo, we immediately knew it would be the perfect fit for us.
"Myself and the EL&N team are incredibly proud to finally bring our brand to the North of England. We’ve been working hard for over a year to make sure the store is picture perfect and brings something unique to the guests of Manchester.”
Mark Whittaker, Executive Director – Property Investment & Management at Peel L&P said: "We are absolutely delighted to see EL&N open their doors at Trafford Palazzo.
"They have curated a unique, vibrant, show-stopping space that will offer experiences like no other.
"A forward thinking, innovative, eye-catching brand, with such a loyal following launching within our mall space, highlights the immersive and diverse experience we continue to foster and create here at Trafford Palazzo.
“We have gained real traction over the past few months and EL&N perfectly complements our other brands and additional openings set for later this year.”
EL&N officially opens its doors on Friday 21st April at 12noon - when the first 150 diners through the doors will get a free brunch as well as make-up goodies from NARS.
The Manchester cafe will then open fully from Saturday onwards at 8am and will follow other EL&N branches in being a no reservation venue, with walk-ins only.
A statement announcing its launch this week promised it would "paint a pink glow" over Trafford Palazzo. It said: "After popular demand, London’s most Instagrammable cafe has opened in Manchester.
"The famous cafe and lifestyle brand is renowned for its beautiful pink hues, unique interior design moments and delectable food, cake and speciality coffee offering.
"Painting a pink glow over Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo, Instagrammable moments are aplenty with its sky-high 6 metre pink arches shaping the landscape of the retail and leisure destination."
It joins other flagship occupiers opening this year at Trafford Palazzo, including NERF Action Experience, fast-food favourite Archies, and state of the art bowling alley King Pins. They will sit alongside the existing family attractions of Legoland and SeaLife Trafford.
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