Manchester, prepare to be fed. This summer, the city centre will enjoy a heavy dose of Big Mamma magic, and if you’ve ever been to one of their restaurants, you’ll know they don’t do things by halves. From gloriously excessive plates of pasta to the kind of interiors that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a sun-drenched Sicilian dream, Circolo Popolare is set to be the kind of place where you come for dinner and accidentally stay all night.
Italian food is all about pleasure, and Circolo is here to serve it in spades. We’re talking melting burrata, pillowy Neapolitan pizza, silky homemade pasta, and the kind of decadent desserts that require absolutely no justification (hello, pistachio tiramisu). At the helm is Campanian-born chef Alfonso Esposito, who knows a thing or two about turning simple, high-quality ingredients into dishes that make you want to lick the plate.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Big Mamma without a jaw-dropping setting, and Circolo Popolare has pulled out all the stops. Downstairs, expect an overgrown courtyard feel, complete with trailing greenery, twinkling lights, and enough Mediterranean escapism to trick you into thinking you’ve left Manchester altogether. Upstairs, things get cosy and theatrical, with hidden alcoves, an open kitchen, and an actual Italian wishing well - because a restaurant like this doesn’t just feed you, it throws you straight into the fantasy.
This is Big Mamma’s first northern venture, joining their London heavyweights Gloria, Carlotta, Jacuzzi, Ave Mario, and La Bellezza in Birmingham. They’ve scoured the city for the perfect spot, landed at No. 1 St Michael’s, and are about to bring Italy’s grandest, boldest, and most joyful food culture to Manchester. So, if your idea of a great night out involves huge plates of food, flowing wine, great company, and a little bit of theatre, get ready - Circolo Popolare is about to deliver all that and more.