OPENS 2020
The Grade II-listed Black Friar in Salford is dwarfed by the modern tower blocks that form part of the local Blackfriars development but, in spite of its incongruence, the pub is set to enjoy a whole new lease of life. Former Manchester House chef, Aiden Byrne, will take over the Black Friar once its multi-million-pound transformation, which is being carried out in partnership with developer Salboy, is complete.
Byrne’s announcement of his new venture came just a few weeks after his disappointment at having to permanently close Restaurant MCR (formerly Manchester House) in Spinningfields. The chef said he was “gutted” to leave MCR behind, but plans to bring as many staff over as possible to his Church Green gastropub in Lymm, and to the Black Friar once it’s completed.
Despite being located on the busy corner where Blackfriars Road intersects with Trinity Way, the hope is that the Black Friar will draw the locals from the hundreds of new dwellings under construction in the area, and residents from further afield who want to experience this up-and-coming part of the city.
The plans for the casual dining section on the ground floor include restoring a traditional pub interior, complete with wood panelling and open fires, and the addition of a modern single-storey extension built on the side that faces the development’s courtyard gardens.
The first floor will take things up a notch, providing an intimate fine-dining space for up to 25 guests, while the third floor will most likely become the spot for a chef’s table dining experience. No mention of menus has been made yet, but if The Church Green is anything to go by, then diners can look forward to a range of classic British dishes with the odd nod to Europe. More details to follow when we get them.