Bistro takes over the former site of Jem and I on School Lane, in Didsbury
He’s conquered the food market in Chester and the Wirral and now Gary Usher is taking on Manchester. The talented chef, who also has the Sticky Walnut and Burnt Truffle has just launched HISPI in Didsbury.
The restaurant was part-funded by Gary’s massively successful, Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, which received nearly £60,000 in pledges, almost 20 per cent more than the original target. The third venture for chef-proprietor, the chef is determined to give it everything that he has got.
‘Our bistros are about offering people the freedom to eat really great food on their doorstep,’ he said. ‘The world is filled with exceptional, but often pretentious restaurants where you feel that you need to put on a tie to eat well.
‘You can walk into HISPI knowing that you will get good, inspired food in a relaxed atmosphere at a really amazing price.’
Joining Gary in his new venture is a first-class team, including head chef Richard Sharples, with previous experience at venues such as the Prestwich institution, Aumbry, under Mary-Ellen McTague. The restaurant will be managed by Gareth Jones, who, after a hugely successful stint in London, managing the likes of Michelin-starred Kitchen W8, Arbutus and Wild Honey, has decided to move north to oversee the new venture.
The restaurant takes its name from a variety of cabbage and will be serving neighbourhood bistro food including chargrilled hispi cabbage.
