Finding an authentic roman style pizza across Greater Manchester once felt like an elusive quest for discerning local food enthusiasts.

Chefs Joshua Reed-Cooper and Mike Thomas opened Cantaloupe, a Mediterranean-style bistro in Stockport, in November 2024.

After being added to the Michelin Inspectors' Favourite New Restaurants, named in the Good Food Guide and awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in February, the founders made the audacious decision to dismantle their runaway success.

The pair said the layout and size of the kitchen, just 75cm by 3.15 metres, was extremely challenging.

The restaurant relied heavily on both of them being there every day. After deciding on the change, the pair flew to Rome and spent a few days eating as much pizza, fried food and gelato as they could.

They returned home inspired to master delicate pizza romana tonda, placing ultimate focus on an ultra-thin, blistered crust topped with thoughtfully sourced ingredients.

Their reinvented venue now operates as an intimate italian aperitivo bar where friends gather for effortless evening unwinding and lively conversation.

Alongside the cracker-thin specialty pies, the busy counter serves craveable street snacks like stuffed fried suppli and seasonal small plates designed for sharing.

Guests pair these savory delicacies with Italian aperitivo drinks such as a Negroni, a Calindri or a Caffe Menta, or a low-intervention wine.

The pair said the decision to close Cantaloupe "was not arrived at easily".

Bar Caput is at 71 Great Underbank, Stockport.

Sources: Manchester Evening News. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked by an editor against the sources above.