There’s a new menu at Canto and the food is as comforting as the restaurant’s warm & relaxed interior
| 14th November 2019
Popular Ancoats tapas restaurant, Canto, has introduced a new autumn / winter menu that promises to warm hearts and souls as the temperatures drop.
Located in the heart of Cutting Room Square, Ancoats, the restaurant has, under the direction of Head Chef Carlos Gomes, established itself as one of the fashionable district’s key destinations since launch just over 12 months ago.
Attracting a vibrant and loyal customer, the new seasonal menu presents the perfect reason to visit, with a range of new dishes including popular and returning best-sellers. Many are amongst Gomes’ own personal favourites.
“When I change the menu, I always get asked ‘where’s my pig’s cheek?’, ‘where are my mushroom croquetas?’ It’s a huge compliment to see guests develop such enthusiasm for a dish, so it’s nice to be able to bring back their favourite dishes from time to time, especially when the season is right,” said Gomes.
Making it on to the autumn / winter menu are spicy chicken skewers served on flatbread (£7). A dish typically enjoyed in southern Portugal, it’s both light and full of flavour, with the harissa providing the skewers with a little kick.
Taking influence from the shores of Spain and Italy is the grilled sea bream with saffron and pea risotto; another light dish but with a deep and satisfying flavour (£9).
You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy the chargrilled sweet potato with white bean puree, mint and orange honey, and toasted pumpkin seeds (£4.50). It’s heavenly buttery with the sweetness of the potatoes working really well with the orange and honey.
Fans of Gomes’ braised pig’s cheek, Iberico ham mash, green kale and chestnuts (£10) will be pleased to see it’s return to the menu, alongside the mushroom croquetas with black garlic mayo, making the most of the key seasonal ingredient (£5).
The caramelised cauliflower with spiced cannellini bean stew (£4) and pan fried Tenderstem broccoli with chilli and garlic (£5.50) are the perfect accompaniments.
Carlos Gomes constructing one his favourite dishes.
Because no meal is complete without the option of a great sweet treat, Gomes has introduced two new options – the wintery, warm and sweet carrot cake with white chocolate sauce (£5.50) and poached pears in mulled-wine with rum Chantilly for a little taste of Christmas (£5.50).
The dishes are accompanied by a range of new drinks, with guests invited to sip at the bar as well as pop in for a bite to eat. Choose from a selection of new cocktails including Canto’s Old Fashioned (£9.50), Red Vermouth (£6) or Hemmingway Daiquiri, featuring rum, maraschino, lime and grapefruit (£8), or settle in for the night with a bottle of one of Canto’s new premium wines and sparkling wines. A selection of mocktails are the perfect option for those that enjoy all the flavour without the alcohol.
The new menu is available now with many of the dishes available to be enjoyed as part of Canto’s three for £15 small plate selection, available Wednesday to Saturday until 6pm and all-day Sunday. Many of the dishes are suitable for vegetarian and vegan diners.
Grilled Sea Bream.
For those looking to make the most of their weekend or raise a glass to a special occasion, Canto’s Tipsy Tapas provides great value, with three select dishes and unlimited Cava, Bellinis or house wine for 90 minutes and priced at £30pp. Tipsy Tapas is available from 12pm to 6pm every Saturday and Sunday.
Friends and businesses looking to host a Christmas party are welcome at Canto, with the restaurant equipped to cater for groups of up to 40 guests. A group set menu is available for parties of seven or more, priced at £30 per head.
Canto is open Wednesday and Thursday 5pm–11pm, Friday and Saturday 12pm–12am and Sunday 12pm–11pm. The restaurant caters for parties of one through to 40, with guests invited to enjoy drinks or a full dining experience.