Altrincham’s burgeoning reputation as a foodie destination could be further bolstered by the arrival of a highly rated tapas bar.
Porta, which currently has one outlet in Chester, has applied for an alcohol licence and planning permission to open in a unit just yards from the entrance to Market House.
The Greenwood Street unit is currently occupied by interiors shop With Decorum – which only relocated from the Old Market Place last June – but it’s understood the owner has decided to close the shop after not enjoying the anticipated success.
Porta is run by brothers Joe and Ben Wright, who look after cooking and front of house duties respectively.
They have run the acclaimed Joseph Benjamin restaurant in Chester since 2006, which has held a Michelin ‘Bib Gourmand’ award since 2012.
Four years ago they opened the more informal Porta next door. Recent reviews on TripAdvisor have described it as an “amazing experience” and a “lovely intimate place”.
Ben told us they had been initially looking for a site in the Northern Quarter, but when that fell through they were delighted when the prime Altrincham spot became available.
“It’s a bit closer to home and more like what we’re used to in Chester,” he said. “We’re massively encouraged by what has been done in the market, so we’re very excited to get over there. It’s such a lovely spot – we fell in love with it.”
He said Porta was “not fancy or pretentious” and more “genuine and rustic” than some of the high-profile Spanish restaurants to have launched recently in Manchester.
“It is what you want to make it – you can come in for a drink, have tapas or have something more substantial. It’s all things to all nights of the week.
“It’s informal and relaxed and all about good food and good value wines, and hopefully what you would find if you went abroad.”
The Wright brothers, who are hoping to use both the ground and first floors, should know by the end of May whether their applications have been successful. Should the lease also be formally signed, a six to eight-week refit would follow, meaning they would hope to open by the late summer.
Ben said they would be very “hands-on” owners, splitting their time between Altrincham and Chester.
