Vegan pasta restaurant coming to Manchester city centre

A London-born restaurant specialising in fresh vegan pasta is coming to the city centre after opening its first restaurant in Covent Garden just 16 months ago.

Plant-based pasta kitchen Pastan, which opened its first venue in the capital in April last year, has submitted a planning application for a new restaurant on Cross Street. The premises would be situated on the site of the former Vertigo restaurant - coincidentally also vegan - which closed down in March.

Bosses at Vertigo shut all three of their sites in the city after stating that the effects of the pandemic had taken their toll. The Cross Street venue had been open since 2018, after taking over from the Maneas Greek restaurant. It is hoped Pastan will take over the premises from September.

According to the document, the Pastan restaurant will be open from 9am until midnight every day. A licence application to sell alcohol has been submitted. The application is in consultation until September 14.

Pastan began in 2020 as a London pop-up from co-founders Dean Fawcett and Jerome Ibanez, who have more than 20 years experience in the hospitality industry. The concept toured venues in Notting Hill and Bristol before setting up a base in Covent Garden.

On the Pastan website, Dean and Jerome wrote: “After working together in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, we decided it was time to start up on our own as we struggled to find healthy, plant-based pasta. In November 2020, we set out to create delicious handmade vegan pasta that tastes great and helps you live better.

“At Pastan, you won’t find anything refined or unnatural in our food because what we leave out is just as important as what we put in. We believe that you shouldn’t have to compromise freshness or flavour when you eat food that respects the planet. We’re here to make mealtimes better and unite everyone at the dinner table in the name of good food, so tuck in.”

Vertigo in the Royal Exchange building on Cross Street, which closed in March (Craige Barker Manchester)

The London menu features the likes of deep-fried gnocchi, pea and shallot ravioli, pumpkin and sage tortellini, and a 'signature' take on Mac&Cheese. Desserts include Speculoos Mini Doughnut Balls and 'Affogato', which consists of ice cream served alongside a shot of espresso.

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