As the colder weather creeps in and the nights get darker, there’s nothing better than comfort food to warm you up.
One local Manchester restaurant is the perfect spot to do just that, thanks to its expertly spiced and deliciously crafted dishes.
Zouk, in the heart of the city, serves mouth-watering Indian and Pakistani food to suit everyone’s tastes.
Warming curries
Autumn and comfort food go together like curry and naan bread, and this autumn at Zouk, you can enjoy some amazing authentic dishes.
‘Lamb Nihari’ is a dish that sings with flavour. Tender lamb fillet is cooked in a sauce thickened with lamb bones and served with a spice tray that adds extra zing to the layered flavours.
On cold days, you can’t go wrong with the ‘Laal Maas’. The spiciest dish on the Zouk menu, this curry packs a punch with heat from red chilli powder and dried Kashmiri chillies.
Chicken lovers will find it tough to choose between Zouk’s luxurious ‘Butter Chicken’ and its ‘Chicken Karahi’. The Butter Chicken features char-grilled tikka pieces cooked in a creamy sauce, while the Karahi is cooked in a sizzling wok for a Balti-style sauce.
A dish all about luxury originating from the days of the Nawabs and Mughals, the ‘Lamb Sultani’ is extra special. Consisting of a slowly cooked lamb shank enriched with the aromatic flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cumin, this dish is spicy and satisfying.
A Sunday roast with a kick
A sensational Sunday roast is the perfect treat on a cold day, and dining at Zouk means you won’t have to do any washing up afterwards.
Zouk’s Sharing Platters are great value for groups. Each one comes with three roasted meats – chicken, lamb and beef top side – as well as lashings of spicy and classic gravy to enjoy with golden roasted potatoes, crisp and fluffy Yorkshire puddings, and seasonal veg.
There are also delicious sides available, including cauliflower cheese, mash, and mac ‘n’ cheese, as well as kids’ roasts and dinners, such as ‘Lamb Henry’ or ‘Whole Roast Chicken’.
Available from 12pm to 5pm every Sunday, the roast menu is offered alongside an abridged version of Zouk’s a la carte menu so if a member of your group fancies a curry, there is plenty to choose from.
Seasonal specialities
Zouk’s seasonal specialities and themed drinks and dishes offer diners something new to try during autumn.
For Halloween, the ‘Midnight Spook’ cocktail features orange vodka and peach schnapps shaken with pineapple juice and coconut with a lemon twist. (18+ only. Drink responsibly. Zouk operates a ‘challenge 25’ policy.)
Sweet treats range from apple pie and sticky toffee pudding to the ‘Pumpkin Treat’ autumn special, a delightful white chocolate mousse housed in a chocolate pumpkin shell with layers of oozy caramel and red velvet cake. It even comes with a white chocolate skull filled with more oozy caramel on a bed of chocolate soil and raspberry coulis.
It isn’t just the food that gets a seasonal switch. Zouk’s walls are decked in burnt orange to deep burgundy foliage, and its outdoor terrace features a retractable roof, heaters, twinkling lights, and cosy blankets
Open from 9am to midnight, the terrace works just as well for a coffee and cake mid-morning as a late-night snack with drinks or shisha.
Christmas at Zouk
There are plenty of ways to celebrate the festive season at Zouk – the restaurant is even open on Christmas Day with a set menu starting from £50 per person and the usual a la carte menu from 8pm.
Zouk really goes all out on festive decorations. Last year’s white and gold theme is set to return with a stunning entrance adorned with lights and baubles, nutcrackers, garlands and a sensational Christmas tree.
All this festive cheer makes Zouk an ideal choice for Christmas parties, which start from £30 per person and include a delicious Indian banquet to feast upon. There are plenty of festive drinks and desserts to enjoy, too, and drinks packages available for larger groups or work dos.
Zouk’s lunch tiffin, available weekdays from 12pm to 4pm, is another great value Christmas lunch at only £17.50 per person. A fabulous option for the team Christmas lunch or a budget work do, enjoy a thali-style platter with a starter, two curries, rice and naan bread.
Employers can even treat the team to some take-home treats as the restaurant now has a range of spices, chutneys and sauces that make delicious Christmas gifts.
