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Meltdown in Cheeseland
Confidential popped into the Barbakan in Chorlton on Saturday and the Deli Llama, Victor Hyman, recommended a proper warmer for a cold day. This was a Vacherin Mont D'Or, an Alpine winter milk moo-cow cheese in a birch container. The Deli Llama told me to cut the crust and drop a little crushed garlic and dry white wine inside and then put in the oven for twenty minutes at 200 degrees. We did and then went bread-dipping mad. Stroke of genius especially with the Chorlton sourdough.
Mixed up banking halls
Karim's restaurant opens at the end of this week - all being well. This occupies the former Establishment restaurant in the grand old banking hall of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank. From steaks to karahis to classic Chinese it could either be a bizarre delight or a bit of a mess. We hope more of the former than the latter - one of these places has got to work sometime. If nothing else it will be dramatically cheaper than the former incumbent.
Romans from Londinium
Carluccio's has opened in Spinningfields on potentially the best site in the whole billion pound development. It curves round the semi-circular front of 3 Hardman Square and looks great on the outside whilst giving good views from the inside. There's own-brand coffee and long opening hours. You can choose from breakfasts, lunches and dinners. There's also a foodshop and giftshop with a deli counter including the usual ham and cheese suspects along with the usual olives and sun-buggered (is that the right word?) tomatoes. There’s a Christmas shopping open evening on 5 December with free wine and 10% discount on gift boxes.
A long neck
Next door to the venus above there's a restaurant that's really sticking its neck out. This is Giraffe, another venue, like Carluccios, with an outlet already open in the Trafford Centre - hey folks you're doing things the wrong way round. Light, bright, colourful and according to our spies it gives top service. Although for some tastes it’s a little too anxious to be fun - all shouty staff expressions of "Hi guys!" Giraffe provides 'yummy, fresh, healthy' eating from burgers to noodles to big fat desserts: a lucky dip of world cuisine in other words. Great for kids.
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A small neck
Eric Jackson, a trusty beer drinking journalist of this parish swears that Wren’s Neck ale produced by the Howard Town brewery in Glossop is one of the best the region’s ever produced – it’s also the current Society of Independent Brewers Supreme National Champion. It might be a bit late to get to the event at the Royal Hotel in Hayfield for this afternoon but the beer will remain available there. We’re getting details of where it’s available closer to home and will let you know asap. By the way Confidential loved the poster for today’s event which included the dramatic, capitalized bubble announcing ‘WITH FREE CHEESE’.
Green eyed envy
A new bar called Greens has opened round the corner from Odder bar on Chester Street off Oxford Road. This offers a range of real ales and home-cooked food. Oh and it won't be called Greens much longer because Simon Rimmer's West Didsbury veggie restaurant has pointed out that there might be potential confusion. Apparently the name will be an anagram of Greens....watch this space for exactly what. We review the place on Thursday this week.
Manchester custard fun
Meanwhile a final recommendation in these dark winter days. Get yourself along to the delightful, sweet, bijou Market Restaurant on High Street in the city centre, and dive into a perfect dessert. This is the Manchester Pavlova, which is inspired by the Manchester Tart. You get lemon-scented pastry, custard cream, toasted coconut and raspberry sauce with a cherry on top. And then a warm fuggy feeling of contentment as though you've won life's lottery. Or evolved into a higher being.
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