Tucked away beneath a Salford high-rise, this top Greek restaurant serves up topped flatbreads, mezze, stews and traditional wines
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar, Salford(Image: Liv Clarke | MEN)
The owners of a much-loved Salford restaurant have shared their pride at being added to a prestigious food guide. Kallos, a Greek cafe and wine bar opened its doors earlier this year and has now been added to the Michelin Guide.
Located at the Cortland development based at Colliers Yard, situated between Trinity Way and Deansgate, the restaurant is tucked away in the basement of the Salford high-rise. The cave-like space, reminiscent of an white-washed tavern in Santorini is inspired by the ancient Greek word for beauty.
Added to the Michelin Inspector’s monthly round-up of the best restaurants in Great Britain and Ireland, the dining spot has been praised for its ‘caring’ service and ‘sumptuous’ flavours. While Stars, Green Stars and Bib Gourmands are revealed at the annual Michelin Guide Ceremony, the inspectors add restaurants to the selection year round.
In it’s glowing review the guide wrote: “With its all-day dining, caring service and sumptuous flavours of the Mediterranean, this is the kind of neighbourhood operation you could quickly find yourself visiting week after week.
Ioanna Antoniou and Ivan Milchev will open the Greek café and wine bar in Salford this autumn(Image: Supplied)
“Part of the city’s Greengate development, its offering starts with brunch, before morphing from a café vibe into a wine bar and restaurant. The evening meze menu is a treat for all fans of Greek cuisine, with the likes of topped flatbreads (the lamb shoulder option is terrific), a supremely comforting chickpea stew and a selection of high-end tinned fish.”
Fronted by hospitality professionals Ioanna Antoniou and Ivan Milchev, the venue offers a daytime brunch menu featuring the likes of traditional pastries and savoury pies like Spanakopita and Tiropita, as well as freshly in-house made breads. Its evening menu features meze, as well as the likes of small dishes and signature Greek salads, all served with a a wide selection of Greek and Mediterranean wine.
Ioanna and Ivan, who have around 20 years of experience in the industry between them, have previously held managerial positions at restaurants across the city, including 20 Stories, Stock Market Grill, MUSU and King Street Townhouse Hotel. Posting about the accolade on Instagram, the pair said the namecheck in the culinary bible is down to the team’s ‘dedication’ and thanked their customers for all the support so far.
“Today is the day all the hard work of our team was truly recognised. Kallos was created with the intention and belief that hospitality begins with our people and through them, it reaches our guests,” they wrote.
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar, Salford(Image: Liv Clarke | MEN)
“We’re incredibly proud to have a team that lives these values every day, lifting each other up with care, kindness, and genuine hospitality. This morning, we woke up to the news that we’ve been added to the Michelin Guide @michelinguide.
“For a small business like ours, in our very first year of operations, this is huge. It happened because of our team’s dedication to every plate that leaves the kitchen, every welcoming smile, and every story we share with each wine we serve.Jade, Josh, Sam, Megan, Nina, Giorgos, Ali, Riley – thank you for being the team that makes Kallos what it is. And to all the guests who have supported us, believed in us, and shared in what we’re building – thank you. We can’t wait to welcome you again.”
The update attracted hundreds of comments on Instagram, many praising the team and celebrating the recognition given to another Greater Manchester venue. One wrote: “Massively well deserved! Every time we come down the food and service is impeccable from breakfast to dinner! Well done guys.”
Kallos Cafe & Wine Bar, Salford(Image: Liv Clarke | MEN)
Another added: “The food and hospitality is off the charts. Such a great night with authentic food, the perfect ambience, music and teamwork made it a night to remember. We are all @kallosmcr fans now and even more of an excuse to visit the kids now it’s on their doorstep.”
In October, two other Greater Manchester venues were added to the Michelin Guide of recommendations too. The first was Bangkok Diner’s Club, which can be found within the historic surroundings of the Edinburgh Castle pub on Cutting Room Square in Ancoats.
Chef Ben Humphries was formerly behind the stoves at District, a Thai-inspired barbecue restaurant that won acclaim before quietly closing its doors a few years ago in the Northern Quarter. Now, he and his wife Bo, who was raised in the Isan region of Thailand, serve a range of beautiful Thai dishes upstairs at the pub, from beef Nam Tok to Gaeng Khua’, a southern curry of smoked mutton ribs.
It was joined by Stow on Bridge Street in Manchester City Centre, an open-fire dining concept launched by the people behind Northern Quarter restaurant and bar, Stow. Brought to life by Trof’s Matt Nellany and Jamie Pickles, it features innovative food, plus a knockout wine list and selection of classic and signature cocktails.
Dining and Cooking