Lunya, Manchester.

It's been well over a year since our trip to Lunya in Liverpool so we've been eagerly looking forward to it opening here in Manchester. This is a part of a new wave of quality Spanish restaurants signifying the next level or two up from the likes of crap and cheap chains like La Tasca. The thing about these guys like Ibérica and Levanter is that they really understand Spanish food always begins with the very finest products not from Industrial 'food' suppliers like Brakes. We blagged our way into the family and friends only soft opening yesterday ("I claim I know Peter", the boss, like a teenager trying to get into a party, even though I'd only met him once). We had a selection of excellent tapas and superb Suckling Pig, cochinillo asado, famously from Segovia. (I would recommend José María restaurant if you're ever in Segovia and want to try it over there).

Bacalao Sliders. (£6.95). 

Hot Smoked Baby Anchovies. (£7.35). It's good to taste these at once as you can see the difference in flavour intensity, again all fine produce.

Our favourite of the tapas, the Idiazabal Orzo Risotto. (£6.25) We've had the original inspiration behind this dish at Borda Berri in San Sebastian. In fact they often use Orzo (actually pasta) all over the Basque country. I love the creamy texture.

Calamari. (£7.55).

Estofado. Slow roasted Ox Cheeks, £7.45.

Then the pièce de résistance. Roast Suckling Pig. (£37.95 PP). Cut at our table with plates as is customary in Segovia. (Bookable 48hrs in advance).

So juicy and tender with lovely bits of crackling skin and great crisp roasties. We take the pig home to last us the whole week~ utilizing the pig's ears, boiling up for stock etc. Nothing ever gets wasted in our house.
Horchata. A favourite of Mrs Bacon's, a milky drink of tigernuts from Valencia.

Really good coffee & nice desserts including this White Chocolate Cheesecake.

Lunya have really hit the ground running, many of their chefs are from the Liverpool branch and it shows. Service was a little slow but this is exactly what the soft opening period is for, to iron out the understandable tweaks. 
It's wonderful to see the beautiful Barton Arcade so full of life too. Lunya really is an excellent and independent addition to the city in a prime location. I think they'll do very well here.

Paid in full. 50% off pre opening.

Follow @Bacononthebeech