Big Mamma to open first Northern restaurant

Big Mamma has announced plans to open Circolo Popolare this June, with the Manchester restaurant marking the group's debut in the North of England.

Set in the heart of the city, Circolo Popolare will transport guests to an alfresco festa on the island of Sardinia. The two-floor trattoria will feature a vibrant, overgrown courtyard-inspired space downstairs, while upstairs will offer an intimate setting with cosy alcoves and an open kitchen.

Campanian-born head chef Alfonso Esposito, who has been with Big Mamma for two years, will lead the kitchen. He’ll be crafting a brand-new menu exclusively for the Manchester site, featuring the group's largest-ever selection of produce sourced directly from over 170 small Italian artisans.

Co-founders Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux comment: "Our 10-year Big Mamma adventure has continued to surprise and challenge us, and we couldn’t think of a better restaurant that encapsulates everything we strive for than the joyful and atmospheric Circolo Popolare, in the vibrant community-driven city of Manchester.

"Having visited Manchester multiple times to find this unique spot, we have both been bowled over by the sheer plethora of hospitality talent within the city. We are hugely excited to be even a small part of this, and to bring our superb Italian products we spent three years personally sourcing to another major European city."

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