Ruger Fjord, an Oldham restaurant that was forced to close after just one day due to overwhelming demand, has announced its reopening plans and is already booked out through to November. The restaurant, located on Hartshead Street in Lees, opened on June 7 with a menu of Michelin-style focaccia sandwiches aiming to bring an 'elevated' slice of 'Italian craft' to the town.
First-day closure and new system
Owner and chef Kieran O'Reilly, who previously worked at Gaucho and MANA, closed the business temporarily on its first day after selling out of breads within an hour and a half. He and his team had to constantly make more during the busy service. Co-owner Alan Beak said they shut the restaurant to figure out a better system and scale up operations 'so that we can never run out, so everybody can eat the sandwiches and experience us at Fjord'. A new booking system now allows customers to select a time slot for takeaway pickup or dine-in, including a 'focaccia show' three-course evening experience with arrival snacks, a Pocaccia tasting, and a sandwich demonstration.
Overwhelming demand and bookings
The booking platform launched on June 17, and O'Reilly reported around 15,000 people visited the website in the first hour. Bookings have been made 'up til November' for restaurant sittings. 'These are people who haven't even tried the sandwiches yet, tried the food yet, tried the bread yet!' Beak said in a video. 'We just want to share a massive thanks to everyone who's been on there and shared love and we can't wait to host you all.'
Menu and availability
Focaccia sandwiches include a Classic Italian with Mortadella, prosciutto, and pistachio cream; The Meat with Salame Vincenza, bacon jam, red wine vinegar reduction, and black garlic purée; and a Miso sandwich with roasted aubergine, courgette, and miso leeks. The venue also serves in-house misos and a drinks menu with beer, wine, and spritzes. Bookings are available Thursday to Sunday, with some days fully sold out and limited spots in June and July. Sandwich pick-ups are available from 5pm on weekdays and 11am on weekends.
Vision and location
Describing the concept, O'Reilly previously said: 'The concept of it all goes back to that sense of sandwiches being happy foods. A sandwich can be a vessel for anything - you can go crazy or traditional, you can really have fun and play around with it and that's where these Michelin-style techniques can come in.' He added: 'It's hopefully going to be something really special that people feel connected to and enjoy. I just think there's room here for a really good butty shop with a fine-dining take on things.' Ruger Fjord is located at The Greaves Building, Hartshead Street, Lees, Oldham, OL4 5EE.
