Greens (English restaurant)

Last updated

Greens
Greens (English restaurant)
Restaurant information
Established1990;34 years ago (1990)
ChefSimon Rimmer
City West Didsbury, Manchester
CountryEngland
Coordinates 53°25′39″N2°14′23″W / 53.42750°N 2.23972°W / 53.42750; -2.23972
Website https://greensrestaurants.co.uk/

Greens was a restaurant at 41 to 43 Lapwing Lane in West Didsbury. An existing vegetarian restaurant, Greens was reopened in 1990 by Simon Rimmer and Simon Connolly after they spotted it in a pub, with Rimmer becoming its chef after discovering that they could not afford to hire someone. A sister restaurant opened in Sale, Greater Manchester in July 2022, though both closed in 2024 as a result of that decade's cost-of-living crisis.

Contents

The Didsbury branch was awarded an AA Rosette in 1992, became the first purely vegetarian restaurant to appear in The Good Food Guide, and has appeared on a number of 'best of' lists. Writers for SquareMeal, Time Out, and Manchester Evening News also gave the restaurant positive write-ups. Its staff have included Eddie Shepherd, who set up a successful vegetarian restaurant of his own, and MasterChef winner Simon Wood, who spent a period cooking there between winning and setting up his own restaurant.

Background

Simon Rimmer met his business partner Simon Connolly while working at a café in Didsbury; one was a waiter, while the other worked front of house. [1] In 1990, Rimmer was working as a part-time designer and as a lecturer, and Connolly was working as a restaurant hotel manager; [2] at the time, Didsbury was not a particularly pleasant place to live, with Rimmer using a 2024 piece in ManchestersFinest.com to observe that, at the time, drug deals behind the car park of the nearby Metropolitan gastropub were commonplace. [3]

While eating a Nepalese curry and drinking beer, Rimmer and Connolly noticed a small vegetarian café, and wondered if it could be converted into a proper vegetarian restaurant; by chance, Rimmer happened to drive past the next day as a 'for sale' sign was going up, and the pair bought the restaurant twelve weeks later, [1] using £2,000 they had between them and £40,000 from the bank. [2] At the time, they were under the impression that they would have enough money to employ a chef and that they could spend their time chatting up women; having discovered that they did not, they tossed a coin to see who would learn to cook, which Rimmer lost. [4]

History

The restaurant, which the pair kept vegetarian in order to keep its existing clientele, [5] was opened in 1990 and used the strapline "terrifying carnivores since 1990". [6] It was successful enough that Rimmer and Connolly could afford to open other restaurants; [2] Rimmer told The Caterer that he was declining 600 bookings a week. [7] He later mounted a successful media career and published several cookbooks. [6] The restaurant closed for a month in 2007; when it reopened, it had almost doubled in size. [8] Rimmer later opened a sister restaurant of the same name in Stanley Square in Sale, Greater Manchester in July 2022, with the kitchen a converted bank vault, and the interiors inspired by The Butcher's Daughter, an American plant-based restaurant; [9] upon opening, the branch attracted attention on social media for its use of unisex public toilets. [10]

The West Didsbury restaurant announced its immediate closure in January 2024 after the landlord increased rent by 35% and its energy costs quintupled. The closure came within a challenging period for restaurateurs, with eight restaurants closing every day, and later that month, Rimmer and several other restaurants called for Rishi Sunak, the then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, to halve value-added tax. [3] Sacha Lord stated that the closure was "a stark example that even in regions of relatively high disposable income, the financial pressures on small businesses are simply no longer viable especially when household budgets are being squeezed more than ever by food price inflation or rising energy costs". [11] On 17 September that year, Greens announced that their Sale branch would close as well as the business had become untenable. [12] The branch's closure followed that month's administration of TGI Fridays and the closure of three further Manchester restaurants. [13]

Reception

Greens was awarded an AA Rosette in 1992 and retained it until its closure. [12] It became the first purely vegetarian restaurant to appear in The Good Food Guide; [3] by the time of its temporary 2007 closure, it was one of six. [8] Jonathan Schofield of Confidentials.com visited Greens in March 2015 and noted that Rimmer "provides clever vegetarian food with a bit of fun added in". [14] SquareMeal described Greens as "arguably the North's leading vegetarian restaurant" in January 2019 and found the atmosphere "buzzy and laid-back". [15]

The Daily Telegraph listed it as one of the "top restaurants for vegetarians in the UK" in May 2019 [16] and as one of the "16 best restaurants in Manchester" in April 2023. [17] Rob Martin used a May 2021 Time Out review to describe dining at the restaurant in its early days "felt a bit like being invited to dine with a really sophisticated friend's family; slightly bohemian but very professional with two lovely blokes at the helm", noted that "the food was a revelation for many used to veggie meals consisting of just lentils and something mushy", and that the restaurant remained "the delightful experience it always has been, somehow still managing to feel like you're in someone's home". [18]

Ria Ghey of Manchesterworld.uk wrote in October 2023 that the "eclectic interior of Parisian-inspired artwork and frill-tastic lamp gave a welcoming vibe befitting a bustling neighbourhood restaurant". [19] Dianne Bourne of Manchester Evening News was moved to visit the Sale branch in late January 2024 by the closure of the Didsbury restaurant and described her experience as "inventive and playful"; her review, which called for her readers to use their favourite local cafés or restaurants or lose them, [20] prompted a disgruntled reader to complain that nobody in her town could afford to eat out any more. [13]

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scotch egg</span> Boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat

A Scotch egg is a boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and baked or deep-fried.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarian Society</span> British registered charity established in 1847

The Vegetarian Society of the United Kingdom (VSUK) is a British registered charity. It campaigns for dietary changes, licenses Vegetarian Society Approved trademarks for vegetarian and vegan products, runs a cookery school and lottery, and organises National Vegetarian Week in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Le Gavroche</span> Restaurant in London, England

Le Gavroche was a restaurant at 43 Upper Brook Street in Mayfair, London. It was opened in 1967 by Michel and Albert Roux at 61 Lower Sloane Street, its premises until 1981. Albert's son Michel Roux Jr was the chef patron from 1991 until its closure in 2024. It was the first restaurant in the UK to be awarded three Michelin stars, which it held from 1982 to 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Yau</span> Hong Kong-Chinese restaurateur

Alan Yau is a Hong Kong-born British restaurateur who founded the Wagamama chain in the United Kingdom. Of Hakka ancestry, he was born in Sha Tau Kok, Hong Kong and moved to King's Lynn, Norfolk in 1975 with his family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Wareing</span> Chef and restaurant owner (born 1970)

Marcus Wareing is an English celebrity chef who was Chef-Owner of the one-Michelin-starred restaurant Marcus until its permanent closure in December 2023. Since 2014, Wareing has been a judge on MasterChef: The Professionals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Aikens (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in London, England

Tom Aikens was a London Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant operated by the eponymous chef from April 2003 opening to January 2014 closure. The restaurant received mostly positive critical reception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Rimmer</span> English chef

Simon Peter Rimmer is an English celebrity chef, best known for his on-screen partnership with Tim Lovejoy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Chef</span> Former UK restaurant chain

Little Chef was a British chain of roadside restaurants; founded in 1958 by Sam Alper and Peter Merchant who were inspired by American diners. The chain was famous for the "Olympic Breakfast" – its version of a full English breakfast – as well as its "Early Starter" and "Jubilee Pancakes". The restaurants were mostly located on A roads, often paired with a Travelodge motel, a Burger King and a petrol station. The chain was also located along motorways in Moto Services, for a time.

Denis Cotter is an Irish celebrity chef, author and proprietor of the acclaimed vegetarian Paradiso restaurant in Cork City. He has also published several cookbooks and featured on the RTÉ One television series Guerrilla Gourmet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hibiscus (restaurant)</span> Restaurant in London

Hibiscus was a London restaurant which was owned and run by French chef Claude Bosi. It was opened in 2000 in Ludlow, Shropshire, and won its first Michelin star within a year, and a second in the 2004 Guide. In July 2006, Bosi and his wife Claire announced that they were to sell the location in Ludlow and move closer to London. The property was sold to Alan Murchison, and Bosi purchased a new site on Maddox Street in London. The restaurant closed in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SquareMeal</span> Website and smartphone app with reviews of London and UK restaurants and bars

SquareMeal is a restaurant and venues guide that offers professional restaurant critic reviews, along with a directory of restaurants and venues.

Mary-Ellen McTague is a Manchester chef who has run two successful restaurants in the city; Aumbry and 4244.

Michael O'Hare is a British chef from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England. He was chef-patron at The Man Behind The Curtain in Leeds, which was awarded a Michelin star in October 2015. He also ran The Rabbit in the Moon at the National Football Museum in Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EG Group</span> British retail group

EG Group Limited is a British operator of filling stations, convenience stores and food service providers across Europe, the United States and Australia. It was founded in Blackburn in 2001 by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa, initially as Euro Garages.

Purezza is a vegan pizzeria operating in Brighton, London and Manchester. It is Europe's first all-vegan pizzeria, opening its first branch in Brighton, UK, in November 2015.

William Ronald Sacheverell Sitwell is a member of the British Sitwell family. He is an editor, writer and broadcaster, restaurant critic for The Daily Telegraph and former editor of Waitrose Food.

Philip Howard is a South African-British chef, chef patron, and restaurateur. He gained cooking skills while working under Marco Pierre White at Harveys and Simon Hopkinson at Bibendum. Howard and White's then-business partner Nigel Platts-Martin opened London restaurant The Square in December 1991, despite both of their inexperience in operating a restaurant at the time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Square (restaurant)</span> London fine dining restaurant

The Square was a London fine dining restaurant, opened on 13 December 1991 in St James's. Since its opening, it had been co-owned by chef Phil Howard and wine expert Nigel Platts-Martin. It also earned its first Michelin star in 1994 and retained it from then on. After relocating to Mayfair in February 1997, The Square won a second Michelin star in 1998, which it retained until 2016, the same year when Howard and Platts-Martin sold the restaurant to a company held by Marlon Abela. It regained its first Michelin star in 2017. It closed on 31 January 2020, causing the restaurant to lose its star the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Aikens</span> English Michelin-starred chef

Tom Aikens, also named Tom Aitkens, is an English Michelin-starred chef. Aikens briefly worked for chefs in London and Paris restaurants. Under his tenure from 1996 to 1999 as head chef and then chef patron, Pied à Terre earned its two Michelin stars in January 1997.

References

  1. 1 2 "About Greens – Greens Vegetarian Restaurants" . Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 McGarrigle, Clyde (14 February 2021). "TV chef Simon Rimmer: 'We had an Only Fools and Horses-style business plan – and it succeeded'". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Arnold, Ben (30 January 2024). ""This is an emergency" – Manchester hospitality operators call for the government to reduce VAT to 10%". Manchester’s Finest. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  4. ↑ "We Grill: Simon Rimmer – Bar & Kitchen". Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  5. ↑ "Simon Rimmer, owner, Greens". The Caterer. 30 November 2006. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  6. 1 2 Thomas, Louis (2 January 2024). "Sunday Brunch star shuts vegetarian restaurant". The Drinks Business. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  7. ↑ "Simon Rimmer, owner, Greens". The Caterer. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  8. 1 2 "M.E.N review: Green's". Manchester Evening News. 19 February 2007. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "A look around the new Greens in Sale with Simon Rimmer: 'I'm loving what we do'". Confidentials. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "Simon Rimmer's Sale restaurant in social media storm over toilets". Messenger Newspapers. 17 July 2022. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  11. ↑ Slater, Chris (3 January 2024). "Top chef reveals touching Simon Rimmer gesture after shock closure of Greens". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Last branch of Simon Rimmer's Greens restaurant in Sale announces closure". ITV . Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  13. 1 2 Bourne, Dianne (18 September 2024). "If Greens can't survive, what hope is there for other restaurants and bars?". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  14. ↑ "'Clever vegetarian food, with a bit of fun' – Greens, West Didsbury, reviewed". Confidentials. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  15. ↑ "Greens Restaurant Didsbury, Greater Manchester – Restaurant Review, Menu, Opening Times". www.squaremeal.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  16. ↑ Hart, Alice (13 May 2019). "National Vegetarian Week: The top restaurants for vegetarians in the UK". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  17. ↑ Toogood, Cathy (3 October 2017). "The 16 best restaurants in Manchester". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  18. ↑ Martin, Rob (17 May 2021). "Greens | Restaurants in Manchester". Time Out Manchester. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  19. ↑ "I ate at TV chef's veggie and vegan spot in leafy Manchester suburb and will be back in a hurry". Manchesterworld.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  20. ↑ Bourne, Dianne (13 March 2024). "We can mourn restaurants we've lost, but must eat and drink in those that remain". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  21. ↑ "Top chef reveals touching Simon Rimmer gesture after shock closure of Greens". Manchester Evening News. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.