Lunya

Manchester

Spend the morning strolling the streets of Deansgate before following the heavenly scent of tapas through Barton Arcade to Lunya, where you’ll discover a treasure trove of Catalan produce, courtesy of husband and wife Peter and Elaine Kinsella.

The original arcade arches and ceilings have been left untouched, but a bold, colourful design scheme has injected style into this Grade-II listed unit. It’s a temple
of temptation and it’s almost impossible to leave without buying an extravaganza of produce. Shelves heave under the weight of Agromar pâté, duck and truffle foie gras, fig crackers and tart pink grapefruit and zingy ginger marmalades.

The cheese selection has been equally well curated. With over 40 Spanish varieties available, our personal favourite is Ermesenda. Made with dense cow’s milk from the Catalonian Pyrenees, the sweet flavour is complemented by undertones of raw hazelnuts and almonds and is superb melted over sourdough. Be sure, too, to take away a homemade chorizo sausage roll – a smoky and delicious twist on the original.

Once you’ve plundered the shelves, head upstairs and take a seat in the restaurant for an authentic Spanish lunch. Start with Catalan tomato bread and deep-fried Monte Enebro goat’s cheese drizzled with orange blossom honey and topped with beetroot crisps.

If you’re struggling to choose, opt for the tapas tasting banquet, which includes beer-battered calamari, albondigas (meatballs) and patatas bravas. Pop along on 12 September for the ever-popular gin-tasting evening. You’ll sip on Puerto de Indias pink gin – flavoured with Sevillian strawberries – and nibble Trevélez Seranno ham and Gordal olives stuffed with orange segments and chilli flakes, which pair perfectly. lunya.co.uk