Big Mamma will open their doors in Manchester this summer with a Sardinian Festa-inspired trattoria
Big Mamma will open its first site in the North of England at Gary Neville’s £400m St Michael’s development.(Image: Jérôme Galland)
The restaurant group behind some of Europe’s most Instagram-worthy dining spots has confirmed it will be opening a new restaurant in Greater Manchester. Big Mamma will open its first site in the North of England at Gary Neville’s £400m St Michael’s development.
The French-based group restaurant group operates a number of Italian-led restaurant brands including Gloria Trattoria, Ave Mario, Jacuzzi, and Carlotta. The new two-storey restaurant and bar, Circolo Popolare, is billed as a ‘sunny Sicilian trattoria’.
Big Mamma’s larger-than-life Italian dining concepts have become known for their showstopping interiors and experiential menus, which includes dishes like carbonara served in a giant wheel of cheese, Neapolitan pizzas and ‘scandalous’ desserts.
It was confirmed last May that the group had submitted plans to open in the city and now details have been revealed about Circolo Popolare, its opening date, and what diners can expect of the new site just off Deansgate.
The new two-storey restaurant and bar, Circolo Popolare, is billed as a ‘sunny Sicilian trattoria'(Image: Big Mamma Group)
The ‘jasmine-clad’ trattoria will boast 280 covers and will be influenced by Sardinia with features such as twinkling festoon lights sprawled across a eucalyptus-clad ceiling of a wild overgrown courtyard floor, as well as trinkets, ceramics and a lucky Italian wishing well.
Upstairs is described as a ‘villa hideaway’, and a ‘cosy terracotta den’ where guests can perch by the kitchen counter and catch a glimpse of Head Chef Alfonso turning fresh British seafood on the grill, or crafting crispy-soft Neapolitan pizzas.
The restaurant, due to open this June, will boast Big Mamma’s largest-ever selection of produce, carefully selected from their 170 family-run Italian artisans. From the comfort of their seats, diners will be transported to Puglia to taste Salvatore Montrone’s burrata or test their prosciutto knowledge from Parma to San Daniele.
Sharing plates will be washed back with extra large cocktails or shots from the three litre amaro bottle circulating the room. Desserts, or Dolci as it’s known in Italy will include classics such as pistachio tiramisu scooped tableside.
Commenting on their first restaurant in the North of England, Co-Founders Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux shared: “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.
Circolo Popolare in Madrid (Image: Jerome Galland)
“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 3 years personally sourcing to another major European city.”
French entrepreneurs Victor Lugger and Tigrane Seydoux founded the brand back in 2013, opening East Mamma in Paris in 2015.
Big Mamma now spans 27 unique restaurants in Europe, including Pink Mamma and the huge food market La Felicità in Paris, Giacomo on Larvotto beach in Monaco, and the latest exciting venture in Italy, Gloria in Milan.
Big Mamma had their first UK hit with Gloria, a 70s-inspired, Capri-styled restaurant in the middle of Shoreditch. It was followed up by Circolo Popolare in 2019, styled as a ‘sunny Sicilian trattoria’ in the heart of Fitzrovia.
After opening of Gloria and Circolo Popolare they moved onto Ave Mario in Covent Garden. Its largest restaurant to date, the restaurant boasts almost 300 covers spread over three spaces and two large terraces.
The St Michael’s development on Jackson’s Row(Image: Supplied)
The brand works directly with 170 producers, constantly exploring new areas of Italian cuisine with each opening, from pizzas to excellent meats from across the boot. Each trattoria has its own ambiance and everything is homemade from the fresh pasta to the delicious gelato.
Gary Neville’s £400m St Michael’s development launched in July 2023, with construction now gathering pace to transform a ‘pivotal yet underused’ area of the city.
It is currently being overseen by Gary Neville’s building company Relentless and when complete, will also encompass a 41-storey tower that will be home to W Hotel and Residences.
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the St Michael’s building, Peruvian-Japanese restaurant, Chotto Matte, will take over the 20,000 sq ft space, featuring terrace seating, a fire pit, and views across the city.
Circolo Popolare is set to open this June at No 1 St Michael’s, 36 Jackson’s Row, Manchester, M2 5DA.