There have been several food-related outings around Manchester recently, some of which weren’t full sit-down meals, but still warranted a quick mention on the old blog. So I’ve put them all together in a round-up post below. Enjoy!
Velvet Restaurant
My Mum had been wanting to try this place for months after hearing good things from some of her friends and we eventually made it over there a week or so ago. Located at the far end of Canal Street in the gay village, Velvet is a hotel, restaurant and bar that is fitted out in plush furnishings and sultry colours (think blacks, purples, golds). This makes for a rather ‘heavy’ atmosphere, especially as the restaurant is located downstairs in the basement, but not an unpleasant one.
The gin and tonic menu is particularly good (and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t even really drink gin), especially the range of flavoured gin liqueurs. I went for a raspberry gin liqueur with lemon tonic and it was refreshing – and sweet enough for me not to remember I was technically drinking gin.
The spicy special fried chicken burger was perhaps one of the best homemade chicken burgers I’ve ever eaten (although I know I recently said that about another establishment – I guess I’m just on a lucky streak). There were several small goujons, each individually coated and fried in a light, crispy batter with a hint of heat. The brioche bun was soft and dense and although the chips were a tad too greasy, they were fat and fluffy inside.
- 2 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3HE
- Open Mon – Fri 7am – 11am and then noon – 10pm, Sat and Sun 8am – 11am and then noon – 10pm
Sugar Junction
The pit stop in Sugar Junction was for dessert only, which makes sense when you realise that they bill themselves as a ‘cake and cocktails’ venue.
All the cakes are made in-house and due to high demand (particularly at the weekend, when I was there), there is a constant rotation of different flavours and styles.
This gluten free avocado and beetroot chocolate cake was just being presented from the kitchen as I was placing my order and so had to grab a slice. I was slightly surprised that it seemed to have been baked in different layers (i.e. one layer was made with beetroot, the other with avocado), as opposed to it all having been baked as one, but this didn’t make it any less appealing. It was crumbly and rich, although slightly less sweet that I was expecting (hoping?). Nonetheless, there is a small sense of pride at having eaten a cake made with vegetables and it was a jolly good one at that. Will definitely be back for a afternoon tea.
- 60 Tib Street, Manchester M4 1LG
- Open Sun and Mon 9am – 6pm, Tues – Thurs 9am – 8pm, Fri and Sat 9am – 11pm
Teacup Kitchen
Brunch with a friend was the order of the day at Teacup Kitchen who, incidentally, had been my intended venue on the day of the Sugar Junction visit, but was just far too busy to even contemplate.
Anyway, the second time’s a charm, and despite a bit of a slow start where the service was concerned (the drinks took about 20 minutes to arrive), the menu options were all appealing.
I settled on the Eggs Royale, which came beautifully presented and featured some of the creamiest hollandaise to have ever passed my lips. The flat whites were good and the pretty plate of eggs was followed up by a huge (and I mean huge) slice of white chocolate and pistachio cake, of which there is unfortunately no photographic evidence.
Cakes here are all homemade, many of them show-stopping extravaganzas that would make the Bake Off judges proud. The guy sat next to us simply came in to order a glass of wine and a slice of cake as his ‘lunch’. To which I say bravo, my friend. Bravo.
- 55 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1 NA
- Open Sun- Fri 9am – 6pm, Sat 9am – 7pm
Leave a Reply