Harden's says
From Gloria in Milan to Barracuda in Barcelona, France's Big Mamma group continues to storm Europe with its brand of maximalist retro fun-spots. And where better than the new St Michael's development off Deansgate to launch ’up North (there is already a Corcolo Popolare in London… and Madrid for that matter). It’s big – 280 covers – and aims to "take guests on the ultimate celebratory Italo-escape" with a "buzzing jasmine-clad trattoria… inviting you to a huge alfresco festa on the hedonistic island of seductive Sardinia" complete with "twinkling festoon lights sprawled across the eucalyptus-clad ceiling of the wild overgrown courtyard floor". Well, that's what the press release says anyway. On the menu pizza or sharing plates or burrata or prosciutto. There will be a "three litre amaro bottle that's circulating the room" – sounds just the job for central Manc.
Harden's survey result
Summary
Foliage, hundreds of back-lit spirit bottles and twinkly lighting show off the restaurant DNA of France’s Big Mamma Group with their first foray into Manchester with this sibling to its well-established maximalist London namesake (see also). A large, two-floor space at the foot of the St Michael’s development, just off Albert Square, it opened in June 2025 (too late for any survey feedback) and delivers with brash gusto a similar mix of pizza, pasta and outside specials (like a towering lemon meringue) plus all the essentials for an Insta-friendly, budget blow-out with mates. Not bad value, but don’t go with elevated foodie expectations…
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Circolo Pololare?
36 Jackson’s Row, Manchester, M2 5DA
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £27.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £4.50 |
| Service | 12.50% |
36 Jackson’s Row, Manchester, M2 5DA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | CLOSED |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑12 am |
| Friday | 12 pm‑12 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑12 am |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑11:30 pm |
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