Make Mine a Double

posted by Hilary on Jul 1

Me and my girly friends discover a fantastic bar to go to in Manchester. I was deciding on whether or not to write about this as at the moment its our little secret hang out place.

Its  in the Great Northern Quarter Tower on Watson street, near where Relish use to be.

Basically it was once a couple of apartments that have been converted into a one bar. Although you would never know it has got a light and airy feel to it with a lovely balcony. The only catch being if on the balcony after 12 you are asked to come in or keep the noise down as there are residential with flats near by! The extensive Champagne list is hugh with price for all budgets. The staff are very knowledgeable without being pushy on the expensive brands

The food is is more a like a second though but really just what you want and cheap too.

Very classy and at the  moment unpretentious! Ideal for de stressing after work or a power drink in between shopping.

posted by Hilary on May 12

Well I posted last week about going to Peruga for my other half’s birthday meal, well as expected the food was great, it was not too crowded and the company wasn’s half bad either :o)

So what did we have to eat, For my starter I had Gnocchi in a basil, sun-dried tomato and cheese sauce. For my main I had Duck breast with apple and fondant potatoes along with sweet red cabbage for my main.  My other half had a ham hock and chorizo turrean with a home made chutney and bread and for main a rib eye steal with fondant potatoes and caramelised baby onions. We did not even attempt a pudding as we were both stuffed to bursting by the end of the meal.

Its my Birthday in three months time, I think ill drop a few hints and we may pay Peruga another visit unless you can recommend anther place to eat!

posted by Hilary on May 5

Have found this great little restaurant that I just have to tell you about, its called Peruga and is located on Glossop road between Marple Bridge and Glossop. Some of you may have been there before when it was called Woodheys.

The restaurant has great views over thanks to its position on  the side of a hill and the huge windows that surrounds it, you can often see the planes coming into land at Manchester airport as it overlooks the flight approach path. The food is modern English, on my last visit I had roast belly of pork with a black pudding stuffing. My other half had a fillet of sea bream, a favourite that is also on the menu is roast suckling pig.

With the credit crunch hitting everyone, as well as the a la carte menu the do fixed lunch and evening menu’s starting at around £9.95 for two courses. Its my other half’s birthday this Friday and I think we will be paying it a visit for lunch, Ill let you know how the food is.

posted by Hilary on May 5

Well in honour of my girly friend that i went out with yesterday i just have to write about a fabulous cocktail i had . God it was gorgeous

The delight was served up for me in Grill on the Alley in Manchester

Located off  Deansgate this restaurant epitomises old and new Manchester, hidden away.

I had the most fabulous cocktail ever Watermelon and Black Cherry Margarita. Because all the ingredients where possible was fresh it made such a difference

I have included a recipe that make more that one because seriously you want a bucket load of this stuff!!
Ingredients

Instructions Cut up a watermelon, removing seeds. Liquify in a blender until you have about 16 oz. Add remaining ingredients, top with ice and blend until smooth. Taste and add sugar if watermelon is not sweet enough. Serve in a margarita glass with a sugar-coated rim.

posted by Hilary on Apr 26

The Royle Family no not Buckingham palace crew but better Caroline Aherne was spotted in Harvey Nichols having lunch with David Walliams. Oh my god i was just in there. I must say tough they do have fab taste. I don’t think they were having the Nic special meal deal at the moment but I have to tell you . Harvey Nics have a really good offer at the mo £25 for three course meal plus unlimited wine - Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The cocktails are pretty gorgeous too maybe Ms.Aherne was slipping on a margarita. Well this brings me to an earlier post called marvellous margarita

On the Second Floor in the Nic’s Bar on Saturday 30 May they are holding - The Marvelous Margarita event it offers you the chance to mix and shake classic cocktails for £25 per person.

What do you think know of any other cocktail events out there?

posted by Hilary on Apr 14

So I’m after a new new little place to sip my cocktails till dawn in Manchester but where do I go. My head spins with rate bars open and close or even change names at the moment. So what’s new and where to go

Michael Caines Champagne Bar, Abode Hotel, 107 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2DB

Tel: 0161 200 5678
Don’t the name just spark interest?
Well is so flash but posh not pretentious. The décor is very white, minimalist and old world charm has a almost attic feel to it brick glass and pipes
There’s an extensive choice of Champagnes by the glass, bottle, magnum or larger bottle size, plus a range of both classic and innovative cocktails. The food ranges from A la carte to small bits. Beware though prices are steep and there is a touch of ‘hotel’ feel about the bar…

Sensations Lounge, N Old Bank Street, Manchester, M2 7PF

Moving away from the hotel bars is Sensations Lounge that use to be know as the Judas Lounge but as the management has changed so has the name. I would say this is a good place either start the evening or if you fancy a light relief whilst shopping. The atmosphere relaxed a little like bluu in the Northern Quarter use to be. I do feel the bar will struggle to get past the bad luck of what’s gone before it and the surrounding areas but the management are really trying t keep the low key feel that still offers the wonderful sumptuous seating. One extra star is the fab cocktail menu

posted by Hilary on Mar 5

Well I wouldn’t be giving Dublin true credit without mentioning Temple bar as a main attraction of nightlife in Dublin. Yes there are more bars per square mile etc but to anyone who has been you will know that temple bar isn’t made up Weather spoons and characterless pubs that you can find in many city centres. Temple Bar got its name from the Temple family, who lived in the area in the 17th century; Sir William Temple, and the earliest historical reference to the name Temple Bar is on a 1673 map. The area took a massive nose dive in popularity, with many derelict buildings in the 1950’s and nasty Dublin’s property developers, who destroyed much of the city’s historic architecture during the 1960s In the 1980s, the state-owned transport company proposed to buy-up and demolish property in the area and build a bus terminus in its place!! My god can you believe it!!!! Protestors stepped in and for once got the bus station project squashed!!, and the Taoiseach Charles Haughey and, 1991, the government set up a not-for-profit company called Temple Bar Properties to oversee the regeneration of the area as Dublin’s cultural quarter. For once the ‘little person’ won out and the rest is history.

Well back to cocktails, I discovered quite a few!!!
First being in Gallagher’s Boxty House 20/21 Temple Bar, Dublin 2, Ireland

Just a couple to sample
Gallagher’s Shamrock
Bailey’s,
Whiskey,
Crème de Menthe
Fresh Cream,
Shaken together over ice……….. Yum Yum

Boxty Blush
Vodka
Peach Schnapps
Cranberry Juice

Everybody’s Irish
Whiskey,
Tia Maria
Fresh Cream,
Shaken together over ice

posted by JD on Mar 2

Ohh my i just have to write and tell you about how let down i felt by my drinking experience in Manchester the other week. Me and a Friend were out on a quiet Sunday afternoon and decide to stop and have a drink in Label on Deansgate in Manchester.

I have been there before but not long after it had opened.  Why is it that it’s now like drinkings in a working men’s pub. Not there is anything wrong with some working men’s pub but when your paying the equivalent of a small mortgage a girl has expectations!!

The place was dead but the majority of the tables had empty glass on them. We had to return the drinks back twice for extremly dirty glasses. I don’t just mean lipstick round the glass if only! I mean cloudy glasses actual dirt all round the bottom of the glad stem!!! Yukk call me a snob but needless to say we didn’t stay for food

posted by Hilary on Feb 18

If anyone else tells me we are in the middle of credit crunch, then they would only have to look at my back balance!!!!!! But what is a girl to do an a Friday night? Don’t get me wrong I have discovered that staying in is the new going out and I have had some fab discount vouchers for wines at OddBins and even Asda, however after a stressful week sometimes all you want to do is get on those high heels and hit the town…

A lack of pennies doesn’t have to stop you; there are some fab offers out there. Walrus in the Northern Quarter Manchester are doing a meal and a glass of wine for £9. If you want to posh it up Malmaison is doing a Sunday roast and ½ bottle of wine for 15 notes!!!

Finally for now, I have one more fantastic deal I found yesterday for 50% off the New menu at Velvet, Canal Street, Manchester. Usually with offers like these they are always restricted to the weekend or to silly times of the day.. not no not on this I read the small print and the 50% is on all weekend off the entire menu!

posted by Arty on Feb 16

Well I have to spread the news about the fab fab fab cocktails that were consumed this weekend at Gaucho in Manchester. Oh my! There was everything on the cocktail menu from a classic Martini through to drinks I have never even heard of before. So you know what, I took the plunge and dived straight in. Well I shook hands with PISCO KID - dark rum, Angostura bitters, freshly squeezed lemon juice but my heart belongs to CARIÑO. This sheer delight consists of Grass Polish vodka (yes I did say grass) shaken with fresh strawberries, sugar syrup and passion fruit my god you just have to try.
Don’t get me started on the wines with over 150 of Argentines finest to choose from.
The atmosphere is unpretentious and relaxed yet the décor is decadent and opulent, with low lit private areas….perfect for the romantic or just to get away from the mad weekend crowds.
Now have a little look at their website as I really haven’t done this place justice, I have only commented on the drinks, if I start on about the food I simply won’t be able to stop!!!

Gaucho
2a St Mary’s Street,
Manchester M3 2LB
T 0161 833 4333