Chotto Matte: Japanese-Peruvian rooftop restaurant set for Gary Neville’s St Michael’s site in Manchester

An exclusive global restaurant chain has agreed to take over the rooftop area of the new St Michael’s development in Manchester city centre.

Chotto Matte at St Michael’s, off Albert Square, will be the Japanese-Peruvian restaurant’s only UK venue outside of London.

The upmarket eaterie, whose London branches serves sashimi, sushi and tempura on its menus, is due to open in summer 2024 in the development, owned by former Manchester United star turned businessman, Gary Neville under his Relentless brand.

Chotto Matte will feature open sushi counters, robata grills, table side torched sushi, lava stone and graffiti inspired artwork, accompanied by live DJs and entertainment, and is owned by ex-Nobu director Kurt Zdesar.

The brand already has other branches in Miami and Toronto and is opening venues in Doha, San Francisco and Los Angeles this year.

The £200m St Michael’s development, at the old Bootle Street police station site, will also feature a nine-storey office block and a new public square.

Work got underway earlier this year after the scheme got planning consent, when developers promised to address noise worries from residents by agreeing to close the terrace at 11pm.

‘Five star quality’

Gary Neville said: “This deal aligns perfectly with our vision for St, Michael’s and the five star quality we are aspiring to with this project. We are pleased to be bringing this world class, innovative brand to Manchester.”

Founder and owner of Chotto Matte, Kurt Zdesar, said: “We are delighted to continue our expansion plans and allow more people to experience the very best of authentic innovative Nikkei cuisine across the UK.

“I am personally very excited to bring Chotto Matte to such an ambitious place. I have been monitoring the city’s growth for years but never found the right opportunity until now.

“It is only when meeting with Gary Neville and understanding his vision, with Relentless, for this first of a kind development that I felt a great synergy with our brand.

“The city is growing at an exciting pace and timing couldn’t be better for Chotto Matte to bring diversity to the local landscape. I see this new opening as an important part of our international expansion plan.”

The St Michael’s development, which has been 14 years in the making, is expected to create 1,800 jobs and will see the refurbishment of Bootle Street Police Station which has stood empty for eight years.

Dan Davies from Metis Real Estate, consultants for St Michael’s, said: “St Michael’s is a unique scheme and is the perfect setting for Chotto Matte in Manchester. Known for their spectacular locations, I have no doubt the restaurant will be something special once launched and will complement the wider scheme impeccably.”