Member Article

Taste of New York comes to Leeds with new £1 million bar and restaurant Manahatta

Leeds bar and restaurant operator Arc Inspirations is set to invest £1 million in a New York-style cocktail bar and restaurant in the city centre.

The new destination, accessed from Merrion Street, will be located on two floors offering a range of cocktails, a varied wine list and a food menu inspired by the diverse food offer from New York.

It will be one of the largest locations in Arc’s portfolio, at 9,000 square feet, the design includes steps down from its main entrance to the ground floor, where customers will see a long feature bar, open kitchen, raised areas and booths.

Manahatta’s menu will include dishes by chef Anthony Flynn that “embrace New York’s diverse food scene” with signature dishes such as The Lepane Tomahawk Ribeye and Black Cod with New England Chowder.

Anthony worked closely with Arc Inspirations’ executive chef John Richold on the menu and Manahatta will offer great food served all day and night.

Martin Wolstencroft, managing director of Arc Inspirations LLP said: “This is going to be a prestige location for Leeds but we are keen to ensure it is welcoming and informal.

“We have thought long and hard about what our customers want: we know they want quality in everything and we wanted to introduce them to a new style of location to make the most of their down-time.

“Manahatta will be the perfect destination for the unpretentious seeking intelligent nightlife. Food, drinks, service, music and atmosphere are equally important and the glamorous design reflects our aspirations to give our customers the best time.

“We take our business seriously and researched the New York hospitality scene in detail. Our trip, with our architects, designers and members of our food and drinks team, meant that we have seen the best and understood what makes these New York locations a success.

“New York is at the cutting edge of the world’s food and drink offer and we are taking the best from there and bringing it to Leeds. We look forward to opening Manahatta and celebrating in this unique Northern Quarter of the city.”

New successful locations and investment in existing sites have encouraged Arc Inspirations to be prolific in their opening of new bars and restaurants in the last 14 years.

2013 and 2014 alone has seen over £4.5 million invested in new and existing sites, and their portfolio now includes 11 locations in Leeds, Harrogate and York, with Manahatta as its 12th location to date.

The Pit on The Ginnel in Harrogate opened in June following a new build off Parliament Street. This is the third Pit branded location following the success of neighbouring bar The Pit on Merrion Street, in Leeds in summer 2013.

With the pedestrianisation of Merrion Street in July, this unique area of Leeds has become a key location for great hospitality.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .