The lovely folk at new Deansgate restaurant 3TwentyOne kindly invited me for dinner to sample their wares last night. The restaurant had a soft opening on Friday for friends and family and on Saturday it turns out the much maligned MCR foodie contigent were being offered up a sneak peak.
Myself and B rocked up a little early for our pre-dinner cocktail and a good nose around the place (which is situated above the Deansgate pub at the Castlefield end of Deansgate).
It has a great cocktail menu, taking it back to the basics with a decent selection on classics done well with top drawer spirits.
If there's one thing I love, it's a Martini and the 3TwentyOne signature Monkey 47 gin one here did not disappoint. A subtle hint of elderflower and with an orange peel twist it was fresh and clean and delicious.
A much more daring B chose a tall chili vodka and watermelon concoction that quite frankly nearly blew her head off. She liked it, I didn't. Let's move on.
The place is smart. Clean and shiny and new and ready to be enjoyed. The staff are all attractive and neatly turned out in their uniforms. It goes without saying that on only the second night of running the service is not going to be perfect, it felt a little young and lacking in confidence, but this will of course get better.
It has one of those open kitchens which I think are great for diners as it allows us to see what's going on but is less great for the staff, because you know that everyone can see what's going on and there's immense pressure to not balls anything up.
We ordered starters; big boy ribs for myself, these were mighty meaty pork ribs in a BBQ glaze. Really tasty and a very generous portion (for one so dainty) but annoyingly they were a little cold. I could've forgiven this for being intentional had it not been for my chum Sarah on the next table remarking that hers were piping hot all the way through when hers arrived. Alas, they had that intense well smoked BBQ taste and the meat peeled away from the bone and that for me wins it.
B, on the other hand had the BBQ king prawns and whilst the dish was pretty she said they lacked in any depth of flavour and were under-seasoned. Nice, but nothing to shout about.
The 8oz ribeye done medium-rare came in good time and with a side order of Bernaise sauce and the roasted balsamic candy beetroots. Although my immediate thought was 'it looks a little anaemic', once I'd taken my first bite I was pleasantly silenced. A beautiful steak. Yum. The candy beetroot was delightful too and a lovely surprise to see it on the menu.
There was a little apprehension for B as when she placed her order for the beef short rib she was asked how she wanted it cooked and replying "uhm, medium?" we both were unsure as to what she was going to be presented with... Thankfully, it came well done and falling off the bone, as a beef short rib should be. A beast of a piece of meat covered in a beautiful bourbon glaze. A side order of sweet potato fries arrived cold but once rectified were divine. Crisp, sweet, salty and moreish.
We both had dessert. A baked blackberry and vanilla cheesecake went down a storm with B and the English cheese selection for myself. To be honest, I was done in by the steak and if it hadn't been for peer pressure I would've happily called it quits with a coffee but, I'm not one to let my friends down and I powered through.
We both enjoyed our food and aside from the newby hiccups I see 3TwentyOne getting settled here.
Get yourself in for a good feed. They don't mess about with portion sizes and the menu is reasonably priced.
They have a pizza menu that I'd like a crack at some time soon too.
Lovely stuff.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Sunday, 21 April 2013
The horrendously written blog returns.
After, coming up to four months of 'nothing but coming home from work and sitting at the dining room table and completing my coursework' I'm pleased to say I've done it.
In all it's taken me just over two years to achieve the qualification and this summer I'll register as a Pharmacy Technician. With this will hopefully come a new job and a pay rise. It's been a struggle but by Jove I hope it pays off!
I'd like to convince myself and you, fine folk that whilst I've been completing my studies I've been wholly focused on my work and haven't ventured out at all for fear of spoiling any study time with a hangover or tiredness or that unmistakable lack of concentration you get after meeting someone hot in a bar and all you can do is think of them etc etc... well, point is, I did go out.
Quite a bit to be honest.
My social life didn't *really* suffer...
Foodie stuff-wise there was the AWESOME G'Vines Gin Connoisseur Programme where the creme de la creme of Manchester's bartenders created and served some outstanding cocktails in a bid to become the worlds best gin bartender, much to my appreciation; Liquor and Burn set afloat their breakfast menu and we can now all breathe a huge sigh of relief that our morning burrito-needs are well an truly met; much excitement and food and bowling with my chums at the Black Dog Bowl launch; Geurilla Eats happened again and I helped out (I had a great time and was able to match faces to Twitter names FINALLY) and I had a luscious evening with my homegal Lauren learning about the origin of Kahlua and drinking copious White Russians - what a nightmare *sideways glance*, along with those handsome fellas The Liquorists at The Market restaurant. All of that interspersed with some great dinners with my nearest and dearests, winter birthday BBQ's, the most gorgeous weekend away in idyllic Anglesey with the most gorgeous girl I know (Anna, FYI), oh, of course another beltin' weekend away with the other three most gorgeous girls I know (B, A and Esme) in the Motherland.
I kept up my whinging and whining throughout the last three months about 'HOW MUCH WORK I've got to do' of course. I just couldn't possibly find the time to write about it too because as soon as I looked at my laptop I felt immediately wracked with guilt if I wasn't writing about fucking medicine or interactions or contr-indications or what I deemed to be an 'appropriate' way to handle nuisance patients (smack them round the face and tell them to GTFO). So I went to a few things, just to get away from anything work related really.
I like waffling on here but do occasionally question the true purpose of a blog. Is it for freebies? Is it because you enjoy writing? Are you a show off? Is it because you don't have anyone else to talk to and it's the only way you can let off some steam?
I just wanted to know if I was capable of stringing a sentence together without any swear words - writing it down is a great audit trail.
Turns out I'm shit at it.
Anyway, je suis back in the building.
In all it's taken me just over two years to achieve the qualification and this summer I'll register as a Pharmacy Technician. With this will hopefully come a new job and a pay rise. It's been a struggle but by Jove I hope it pays off!
I'd like to convince myself and you, fine folk that whilst I've been completing my studies I've been wholly focused on my work and haven't ventured out at all for fear of spoiling any study time with a hangover or tiredness or that unmistakable lack of concentration you get after meeting someone hot in a bar and all you can do is think of them etc etc... well, point is, I did go out.
Quite a bit to be honest.
My social life didn't *really* suffer...
Foodie stuff-wise there was the AWESOME G'Vines Gin Connoisseur Programme where the creme de la creme of Manchester's bartenders created and served some outstanding cocktails in a bid to become the worlds best gin bartender, much to my appreciation; Liquor and Burn set afloat their breakfast menu and we can now all breathe a huge sigh of relief that our morning burrito-needs are well an truly met; much excitement and food and bowling with my chums at the Black Dog Bowl launch; Geurilla Eats happened again and I helped out (I had a great time and was able to match faces to Twitter names FINALLY) and I had a luscious evening with my homegal Lauren learning about the origin of Kahlua and drinking copious White Russians - what a nightmare *sideways glance*, along with those handsome fellas The Liquorists at The Market restaurant. All of that interspersed with some great dinners with my nearest and dearests, winter birthday BBQ's, the most gorgeous weekend away in idyllic Anglesey with the most gorgeous girl I know (Anna, FYI), oh, of course another beltin' weekend away with the other three most gorgeous girls I know (B, A and Esme) in the Motherland.
I kept up my whinging and whining throughout the last three months about 'HOW MUCH WORK I've got to do' of course. I just couldn't possibly find the time to write about it too because as soon as I looked at my laptop I felt immediately wracked with guilt if I wasn't writing about fucking medicine or interactions or contr-indications or what I deemed to be an 'appropriate' way to handle nuisance patients (smack them round the face and tell them to GTFO). So I went to a few things, just to get away from anything work related really.
I like waffling on here but do occasionally question the true purpose of a blog. Is it for freebies? Is it because you enjoy writing? Are you a show off? Is it because you don't have anyone else to talk to and it's the only way you can let off some steam?
I just wanted to know if I was capable of stringing a sentence together without any swear words - writing it down is a great audit trail.
Turns out I'm shit at it.
Anyway, je suis back in the building.
Thursday, 21 March 2013
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Another late night poem.
Read it and weep.
I do.
By Rabindranath Tagore
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age-old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time:
You become an image of what is remembered forever.
You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers, shared in the same
Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell-
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.
Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man’s days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours –
And the songs of every poet past and forever.
Read it and weep.
I do.
By Rabindranath Tagore
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,
That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,
In life after life, in age after age, forever.
Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age-old pain,
It's ancient tale of being apart or together.
As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,
Clad in the light of a pole-star piercing the darkness of time:
You become an image of what is remembered forever.
You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.
At the heart of time, love of one for another.
We have played along side millions of lovers, shared in the same
Shy sweetness of meeting, the same distressful tears of farewell-
Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever.
Today it is heaped at your feet, it has found its end in you
The love of all man’s days both past and forever:
Universal joy, universal sorrow, universal life.
The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours –
And the songs of every poet past and forever.
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
When first we faced...
I adore Philip Larkin. It's like he speaks and feels and writes just for me sometimes.
When first we faced, and touching showed
How well we knew the early moves,
Behind the moonlight and the frost,
The excitement and the gratitude,
There stood how much our meeting owed
To other meetings, other loves.
The decades of a different life
That opened past your inch-close eyes
Belonged to others, lavished, lost;
Nor could I hold you hard enough
To call my years of hunger-strife
Back for your mouth to colonise.
Admitted: and the pain is real.
But when did love not try to change
The world back to itself--no cost,
No past, no people else at all--
Only what meeting made us feel,
So new, and gentle-sharp, and strange?
Behind the moonlight and the frost,
The excitement and the gratitude,
There stood how much our meeting owed
To other meetings, other loves.
The decades of a different life
That opened past your inch-close eyes
Belonged to others, lavished, lost;
Nor could I hold you hard enough
To call my years of hunger-strife
Back for your mouth to colonise.
Admitted: and the pain is real.
But when did love not try to change
The world back to itself--no cost,
No past, no people else at all--
Only what meeting made us feel,
So new, and gentle-sharp, and strange?
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Notification alert.
There comes a time in everyone's life when you have to sit up and smell the coffee / roses / epoisse. Whether that relates to your work or home life, it happens. The realisation that you cannot continue to behave in a certain way, or that you have to knuckle down, pull your socks up and essentially start behaving like a responsible adult.
I believe some people are blessed with this skill from an early age. I have friends that I've known for years that have always been 'level headed' or been certain in their ability and goals. They've worked really hard and achieved.
For others that turning point may come a little later. Maybe after college or university, in their first job or relationship. I've seen it happen. They're essentially noticing that they've hit an age, gained a few extra responsibilities - maybe a car or an apartment or a 'proper' job, and they have made noticeable changes to accommodate the maturity.
This is a natural process for many, most even.
Then there are some others, late comers to the club. Those that have ridden the wave of immaturity since their teens and refused to get out of the sea of denial (NOT De Nile). Even though their shitty surfboard from 1994 is all broken and splintered and their mothers and fathers are calling from the shoreline. Waving a desperate flag of hope in their reckless child's direction, hoping they notice.
I am of the latter category.
I shan't go on too much about it but it has happened.
I feel largely positive about this.
I hope I don't lose momentum too quickly.
I believe some people are blessed with this skill from an early age. I have friends that I've known for years that have always been 'level headed' or been certain in their ability and goals. They've worked really hard and achieved.
For others that turning point may come a little later. Maybe after college or university, in their first job or relationship. I've seen it happen. They're essentially noticing that they've hit an age, gained a few extra responsibilities - maybe a car or an apartment or a 'proper' job, and they have made noticeable changes to accommodate the maturity.
This is a natural process for many, most even.
Then there are some others, late comers to the club. Those that have ridden the wave of immaturity since their teens and refused to get out of the sea of denial (NOT De Nile). Even though their shitty surfboard from 1994 is all broken and splintered and their mothers and fathers are calling from the shoreline. Waving a desperate flag of hope in their reckless child's direction, hoping they notice.
I am of the latter category.
I shan't go on too much about it but it has happened.
I feel largely positive about this.
I hope I don't lose momentum too quickly.
Thursday, 27 September 2012
MFDF12 Opening Saturday - the best food festival
My intention here was to elaborate on my initial Manchester Food and Drink Festival post from Saturday (22/09/12). As any of you that have seen it, it wasn't really an example of exemplary writing. It wasn't anything. I was trying to be clever. I shan't be doing that again in a hurry.
So, to expand on the original 'post'.
I've been to the MFDF Festival only once before, a few years ago. I don't remember it too clearly. Only that I was sat in a huge tent supping ales for the best part of a whole day.
Needless to say, that was precisely what Lucie and I ended up doing the day we went.
We decided to meet after lunch (to avoid the crazy rush), have a goosey gander at what was on offer then pick a spot to listen to some music and have a drink and some food.
Pretty much as soon as we walked through the gates we found ourselves in a queue for the relaisdevenise or L'Entrecote as it is probably more commonly known, where we sampled a few of their fine French cheeses (I recall the Brie being amazingly soft, not at all gooey, and absolutely delicious) unfortunately I couldn't for the life of me tell you the names of any of them -I had not, of course, taken notes, but they were all delicious. We also had a little taster of the house red which was perfectly quaffable and a fruity, winey (<<excellent descriptive writing skills on display right here folks!) accompaniment to the fromage. The day after I found a 50% off voucher in my purse for our next visit to them too. As if we needed more incentive to go there! Thank you anyway.
With a taste for wine now settled we opted for a glass of Marlborough Sauvingnon Blanc (aka MSB) from the cute harveynichols van. I used to work at the 2nd floor restaurant many moons ago as it happens and taking that first sip was like being transported back to the Brasserie bar on a Sunday evening after a hectic weekend shift almost 10 years ago. It is, without doubt, one of my favourite house wines. We also could hardly believe it was only £2 per glass.
Glass in hand we got ourselves into the queue for the big indie food tent. Full of independent suppliers and producers of anything ranging from pies and cakes to cheeses and spreads to sweeties to hot sauces (half way through my bottle of Guadalupe hot sauce already - that shit is goood) to cordials and ales and even Yorkshire mulled wine. We tasted everything. The hot sauce, sampled on a tortilla chip, nearly caused my head to erupt and my eyeballs to fly out of my head at lightening speed and straight into Lucies head. Now, because I'm a bit of a twat and I enjoy practical jokes, I somehow managed to keep my soaring inner pain well hidden and when Lucie asked me how the hot sauce tasted I calmly said "yeh, It's yummy, very fruity, you'd love it, try some". Which she did.
Her reaction was a lot less subtle. Her eyeballs simply swelled up like little socketed angry blowfish as the tirade of absurdities flew out of her, by now very warmed up, mouth and straight at me.
I felt bad afterwards.
She also had a bigger splodge of it than I did.
We both then necked our MSB. It was all we had.
Onto the wonderful booths country part of the tent. We tasted a whole range of wines and a few ales. The Moorhouse's Blonde Witch being the one that caught my attention. I picked up a bottle or two. The folks that worked on the stalls there that day were so friendly and encouraging to try their products. I loved that. Sometimes you can feel like you're taking the mick a little by trying all the little samples and sometimes (rarely) you withhold because you don't want to come across as a skanky free-loader, well, these lovely Booths folk practically encouraged it. "Have more" "try this one" "try this one again" "have a go with this one....No, have a bigger bit" "now with this bit of sauce" etc.... That's what we want at a food show. It bloody worked on me and I ended up with a few choice food items. Bingo. Job done.
I'm feeling a little bloated at the memory of it all now.
Outside the tent there was plenty more on offer to quench thirsts and satisfy appetites. Pancakes and waffles and noodles and potato things and exotic burgers. As it turns out, Lucie and I couldn't eat another thing. We could however manage a pint of cider.
Or two.
Maybe another half?
We found a spare edge of a bench and made ourselves at home. It's a pleasure to be able to sit and watch the world go by sometimes. Just soaking up good vibes and the constant waft in the air of sweets and treats. Pure heaven. Everyone there looked like they were really enjoying themselves. In the spirit (quite literally in some cases) of things.
If it wasn't for the fact it was edging closer to 8pm and I had offered to cook dinner for us both and to do this I had to get to Sainsbury's back in Urmston before it closed, then I believe we would have stayed all night. There was some beautiful singing going on, setting the packed crowd up for a comfortable, well stocked evening of food festivalling. The weather was heavenly too. Beautiful blue skies and a slight Autumn chill in the air.
We really did have a great day. I apologise profusely for not being able to detail any further, but, you should go and see for yourselves. Find some gem of your own and go and enjoy the atmosphere.
Well done Manchester foodanddrinkfestival 2012.
Lovely stuff.
So, to expand on the original 'post'.
I've been to the MFDF Festival only once before, a few years ago. I don't remember it too clearly. Only that I was sat in a huge tent supping ales for the best part of a whole day.
Needless to say, that was precisely what Lucie and I ended up doing the day we went.
We decided to meet after lunch (to avoid the crazy rush), have a goosey gander at what was on offer then pick a spot to listen to some music and have a drink and some food.
Pretty much as soon as we walked through the gates we found ourselves in a queue for the relaisdevenise or L'Entrecote as it is probably more commonly known, where we sampled a few of their fine French cheeses (I recall the Brie being amazingly soft, not at all gooey, and absolutely delicious) unfortunately I couldn't for the life of me tell you the names of any of them -I had not, of course, taken notes, but they were all delicious. We also had a little taster of the house red which was perfectly quaffable and a fruity, winey (<<excellent descriptive writing skills on display right here folks!) accompaniment to the fromage. The day after I found a 50% off voucher in my purse for our next visit to them too. As if we needed more incentive to go there! Thank you anyway.
With a taste for wine now settled we opted for a glass of Marlborough Sauvingnon Blanc (aka MSB) from the cute harveynichols van. I used to work at the 2nd floor restaurant many moons ago as it happens and taking that first sip was like being transported back to the Brasserie bar on a Sunday evening after a hectic weekend shift almost 10 years ago. It is, without doubt, one of my favourite house wines. We also could hardly believe it was only £2 per glass.
Glass in hand we got ourselves into the queue for the big indie food tent. Full of independent suppliers and producers of anything ranging from pies and cakes to cheeses and spreads to sweeties to hot sauces (half way through my bottle of Guadalupe hot sauce already - that shit is goood) to cordials and ales and even Yorkshire mulled wine. We tasted everything. The hot sauce, sampled on a tortilla chip, nearly caused my head to erupt and my eyeballs to fly out of my head at lightening speed and straight into Lucies head. Now, because I'm a bit of a twat and I enjoy practical jokes, I somehow managed to keep my soaring inner pain well hidden and when Lucie asked me how the hot sauce tasted I calmly said "yeh, It's yummy, very fruity, you'd love it, try some". Which she did.
Her reaction was a lot less subtle. Her eyeballs simply swelled up like little socketed angry blowfish as the tirade of absurdities flew out of her, by now very warmed up, mouth and straight at me.
I felt bad afterwards.
She also had a bigger splodge of it than I did.
We both then necked our MSB. It was all we had.
Onto the wonderful booths country part of the tent. We tasted a whole range of wines and a few ales. The Moorhouse's Blonde Witch being the one that caught my attention. I picked up a bottle or two. The folks that worked on the stalls there that day were so friendly and encouraging to try their products. I loved that. Sometimes you can feel like you're taking the mick a little by trying all the little samples and sometimes (rarely) you withhold because you don't want to come across as a skanky free-loader, well, these lovely Booths folk practically encouraged it. "Have more" "try this one" "try this one again" "have a go with this one....No, have a bigger bit" "now with this bit of sauce" etc.... That's what we want at a food show. It bloody worked on me and I ended up with a few choice food items. Bingo. Job done.
I'm feeling a little bloated at the memory of it all now.
Outside the tent there was plenty more on offer to quench thirsts and satisfy appetites. Pancakes and waffles and noodles and potato things and exotic burgers. As it turns out, Lucie and I couldn't eat another thing. We could however manage a pint of cider.
Or two.
Maybe another half?
We found a spare edge of a bench and made ourselves at home. It's a pleasure to be able to sit and watch the world go by sometimes. Just soaking up good vibes and the constant waft in the air of sweets and treats. Pure heaven. Everyone there looked like they were really enjoying themselves. In the spirit (quite literally in some cases) of things.
If it wasn't for the fact it was edging closer to 8pm and I had offered to cook dinner for us both and to do this I had to get to Sainsbury's back in Urmston before it closed, then I believe we would have stayed all night. There was some beautiful singing going on, setting the packed crowd up for a comfortable, well stocked evening of food festivalling. The weather was heavenly too. Beautiful blue skies and a slight Autumn chill in the air.
We really did have a great day. I apologise profusely for not being able to detail any further, but, you should go and see for yourselves. Find some gem of your own and go and enjoy the atmosphere.
Well done Manchester foodanddrinkfestival 2012.
Lovely stuff.
Untitled
I wish I could remember to note things down as they happen, so that when it came to writing things down in a blog I had some written recollection of what it was I had been up to.
Without wishing to sound like some lush, I do get up to quite a lot. Not that I spend loads, as I've been living on a tight budget for so long I've almost mastered how to do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it without totally taking the piss. You know what I mean?
Anyway. I can't really remember the point of this...
Without wishing to sound like some lush, I do get up to quite a lot. Not that I spend loads, as I've been living on a tight budget for so long I've almost mastered how to do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it without totally taking the piss. You know what I mean?
Anyway. I can't really remember the point of this...
Saturday, 22 September 2012
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Lappy
The laptop appears to be working again. I assume it got a little overwhelmed after three days of intense use after it's birth on Friday.
I shan't count all of my chickens just yet though...
I shan't count all of my chickens just yet though...
MFDF 2012 Voting
It was VERY VERY hard to vote for my favourites on the MCR food and drink scene. Thankfully the clever folk at Manchester Food and Drink Festival had narrowed the nominees down allowing me to put the whole of Rusholme and all the lovely little foodie spots that are scattered all over Greater Manchester out of the equation.
It's fair to say that I have been spoilt of late with invites to various food and drink related events around the city. I can't even say that I know why I've been invited, but I have and I have gone and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn't have a blog until yesterday and have only ever written one small piece for my blogtastic friend Charlie.
So, no idea how, but I wangled it.
Thank you to those that had anything to do with said 'wangle'.
Much appreciated.
When it came to voting for the Food and Drink Pioneers 2012 I had to be clear in my belief that the deserved recipient of my vote had to be MY vote. Uninfluenced by any bias or potential 'freebie'.
With this in mind, when it came to the actual nominees it was quite straight forward. There was one MEGA standout winner. Anyone who knows me will know who they are. I've been living there part-time since it's triumphant re-open in August.
Those of you that I haven't seen or have other, more interesting things to do than listen to me go on and on about what I've been eating or drinking this week should know that said Pioneering Place of Wonderment and the BEST BURGERS IN THE WORLD is the wholly magnificent almostfamousburgers.com . These guys rock my (granted, already rocky) world.
Anyone who lives in Manchester and has a mouth and isn't afraid of UBER burgers or daft names for menu items must go there and sample the excellence.
Just go.
Don't wait.
If you're unlucky enough to be a sufferer of Vegetarianismitis there is a 'secret menu' with something on there to keep you happy. I may one day get round to ordering this. Although, honestly, it's pretty flippin' unlikely.
Aaaanyway, point is; I voted for the mighty Almost Famous and the reason being is simply for the fact the owner/mastermind behind it all (Beau Myers) recognised a hole in the MCR food scene for simple (well, kinda simple - *remembers all the towering specials*) well executed fast food and drinks in a well thought out, comfy, interesting, environment that doesn't involve a queueing system and a server at the front with a silly branded cap on - and he delivered it baby!
He thought of that. Granted there would have been inspiration from somewhere but no one else bloody did it in Manchester did they?!
He then engaged the food-obsessed monsters of Manchester via the power of Twitter and the 'Secrect Pop-Up Burger Venue' tag. NO PHOTOGRAPHY, no one knew what it was! HYPED up, we almost expected some half-arsed decorated NQ hangout and what we in fact got was a glittering ball of exciting, special, burgery-boozy wonder.
When they closed at the end of Spring it was horrible. Why would you just up and leave?! Yes yes we knew it was a 'pop-up' but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD why?!
Then the sneaky little sneaky peaky poos came back. With a vengeance.
HAPPINESS.
The weekly updates of specials and the constant interaction from the employees and Beau himself via Twitter are all what gets our juices flowing.
I know the sexually charged sweary whitterings-on are not to everyone's tastes but those that can take it all with a pinch of salt are rewarded with the goods at the end!
They get my vote.
Any day.
They did get my vote.
The sad news is my jeans are getting tighter and my chin is getting a little wobblier. I also recognise that whilst they are outstandingly good value I must reign it in. One of these days I'ma be climbing up them creepy stairs and my heart will just pack in. I'd be gutted.
It doesn't matter. Well, it doesn't matter at the moment because I intend to cut down my consumption of Smokey and the Bandit burgers REALLY soon. And suicide wings. And trailer trash fries.
Well....soon-ish.
I hope these mad bad muhfuckas win.
It's fair to say that I have been spoilt of late with invites to various food and drink related events around the city. I can't even say that I know why I've been invited, but I have and I have gone and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn't have a blog until yesterday and have only ever written one small piece for my blogtastic friend Charlie.
So, no idea how, but I wangled it.
Thank you to those that had anything to do with said 'wangle'.
Much appreciated.
When it came to voting for the Food and Drink Pioneers 2012 I had to be clear in my belief that the deserved recipient of my vote had to be MY vote. Uninfluenced by any bias or potential 'freebie'.
With this in mind, when it came to the actual nominees it was quite straight forward. There was one MEGA standout winner. Anyone who knows me will know who they are. I've been living there part-time since it's triumphant re-open in August.
Those of you that I haven't seen or have other, more interesting things to do than listen to me go on and on about what I've been eating or drinking this week should know that said Pioneering Place of Wonderment and the BEST BURGERS IN THE WORLD is the wholly magnificent almostfamousburgers.com . These guys rock my (granted, already rocky) world.
Anyone who lives in Manchester and has a mouth and isn't afraid of UBER burgers or daft names for menu items must go there and sample the excellence.
Just go.
Don't wait.
If you're unlucky enough to be a sufferer of Vegetarianismitis there is a 'secret menu' with something on there to keep you happy. I may one day get round to ordering this. Although, honestly, it's pretty flippin' unlikely.
Aaaanyway, point is; I voted for the mighty Almost Famous and the reason being is simply for the fact the owner/mastermind behind it all (Beau Myers) recognised a hole in the MCR food scene for simple (well, kinda simple - *remembers all the towering specials*) well executed fast food and drinks in a well thought out, comfy, interesting, environment that doesn't involve a queueing system and a server at the front with a silly branded cap on - and he delivered it baby!
He thought of that. Granted there would have been inspiration from somewhere but no one else bloody did it in Manchester did they?!
He then engaged the food-obsessed monsters of Manchester via the power of Twitter and the 'Secrect Pop-Up Burger Venue' tag. NO PHOTOGRAPHY, no one knew what it was! HYPED up, we almost expected some half-arsed decorated NQ hangout and what we in fact got was a glittering ball of exciting, special, burgery-boozy wonder.
When they closed at the end of Spring it was horrible. Why would you just up and leave?! Yes yes we knew it was a 'pop-up' but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD why?!
Then the sneaky little sneaky peaky poos came back. With a vengeance.
HAPPINESS.
The weekly updates of specials and the constant interaction from the employees and Beau himself via Twitter are all what gets our juices flowing.
I know the sexually charged sweary whitterings-on are not to everyone's tastes but those that can take it all with a pinch of salt are rewarded with the goods at the end!
They get my vote.
Any day.
They did get my vote.
The sad news is my jeans are getting tighter and my chin is getting a little wobblier. I also recognise that whilst they are outstandingly good value I must reign it in. One of these days I'ma be climbing up them creepy stairs and my heart will just pack in. I'd be gutted.
It doesn't matter. Well, it doesn't matter at the moment because I intend to cut down my consumption of Smokey and the Bandit burgers REALLY soon. And suicide wings. And trailer trash fries.
Well....soon-ish.
I hope these mad bad muhfuckas win.
Monday, 17 September 2012
The curse?
So, got a laptop on Friday. Been on the Twitter and Facebook. Been on the eBay and watched the odd YouTube clip. Today I set up this blog via Google (fairly safe territory?). Installed some more 'effective' safeguards this afternoon with the help of my technology-minded brother. All well and good you'd think? It's a brand new lappy. Shouldn't have any shit on it? A decent model etc? Yes. Yes.
Unplugged it this evening and it simply switched off. Then wouldn't come back on again.
Right.
It's like 2008 BLUESCREENOFDEATH ALL OVER AGAIN. BUT I DIDN'T WATCH ANY PORN. NOT A PEEK. I don't feel like I've done anything to deserve this finite shut-down from the laptop.
And herein lies another reason why I haven't had anything more complex than a mobile fucking phone for the last 5 years. They always break. I have a cursed touch. I'm like the guy off of the Skittles advert that CANT TOUCH ANYTHING BECAUSE IT TURNS TO SKITTLES. Only my touch is DEADLY to anything more complex than a mobile phone (& humans/animals/furniture/food etc).
Godssake. Gutted.
On the plus side my sweet pal Simon is going to send me a Windows recovery disc in the hope he can talk me through the steps to fix it without having to return it to the Internet company I bought it from.
Fingers crossed it works folks.
(this wouldn't happen with a Mac)
Unplugged it this evening and it simply switched off. Then wouldn't come back on again.
Right.
It's like 2008 BLUESCREENOFDEATH ALL OVER AGAIN. BUT I DIDN'T WATCH ANY PORN. NOT A PEEK. I don't feel like I've done anything to deserve this finite shut-down from the laptop.
And herein lies another reason why I haven't had anything more complex than a mobile fucking phone for the last 5 years. They always break. I have a cursed touch. I'm like the guy off of the Skittles advert that CANT TOUCH ANYTHING BECAUSE IT TURNS TO SKITTLES. Only my touch is DEADLY to anything more complex than a mobile phone (& humans/animals/furniture/food etc).
Godssake. Gutted.
On the plus side my sweet pal Simon is going to send me a Windows recovery disc in the hope he can talk me through the steps to fix it without having to return it to the Internet company I bought it from.
Fingers crossed it works folks.
(this wouldn't happen with a Mac)
My brother. My hero.
Having a few days out of MCR at the elders. Kindly Andrew offered (after me begging) to come and pick my sorry ass up. We went via SoLita for a bargainous lunch. Awesome. Pulled pork sundae starter then Inka grilled cheese burger with fries (£9.90 for two courses, £12.90 for three) the homemade ketchup is so good I would happily smother it all over myself then awkwardly but determinedly lick it all off.
Just, well, cos.
Damn good.
Sneaky side order of blue cheese too.
*dribble*
Maybe we had grilled pineapple with coconut ice cream for afters. Maybe Connie had vanilla ice cream too (as part of the children's menu meal deal [£5.50 for two courses] with grilled chicken for her main) but maybe we didn't.
We did. Oh god we did.
Mum would seriously dig the grilled pineapple. Seriously. For serious.
Anyway. Full and in the car now in Glossop singing like angels to Adele.
Already feeling better. Don't know where I'd be without my twin sometimes. He's the other (smaller/gayer) half of me.
Wuvz.
(Andrew specifically asked not to be mentioned in this stupid blog crap).
Just, well, cos.
Damn good.
Sneaky side order of blue cheese too.
*dribble*
Maybe we had grilled pineapple with coconut ice cream for afters. Maybe Connie had vanilla ice cream too (as part of the children's menu meal deal [£5.50 for two courses] with grilled chicken for her main) but maybe we didn't.
We did. Oh god we did.
Mum would seriously dig the grilled pineapple. Seriously. For serious.
Anyway. Full and in the car now in Glossop singing like angels to Adele.
Already feeling better. Don't know where I'd be without my twin sometimes. He's the other (smaller/gayer) half of me.
Wuvz.
(Andrew specifically asked not to be mentioned in this stupid blog crap).
The first small taste of my over-ripe blogging cherry
I've been putting off starting a blog.
I've known for some time that the shit that I spurt often catches the eye of a friend, family member (sorry mum) or follower, but I put this down to their own lack of other interesting things to do and a coincidence that whenever I have randomly ranted about goings-on before they just so happened to have been logged on to Facebook or Twitter.
So, as I have a little extra time at the moment I have thrown caution to the wind of perhaps something that will not only fail but sweep me down to the deep dark depths of embarrassment too in, most likely, a short space of time.
I shall make this short and sweet. I really just wanted to post something as mini-introduction. See how it looks more than anything else.
Right then. In a bit yo.
I've known for some time that the shit that I spurt often catches the eye of a friend, family member (sorry mum) or follower, but I put this down to their own lack of other interesting things to do and a coincidence that whenever I have randomly ranted about goings-on before they just so happened to have been logged on to Facebook or Twitter.
So, as I have a little extra time at the moment I have thrown caution to the wind of perhaps something that will not only fail but sweep me down to the deep dark depths of embarrassment too in, most likely, a short space of time.
I shall make this short and sweet. I really just wanted to post something as mini-introduction. See how it looks more than anything else.
Right then. In a bit yo.
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