Last week we headed down to Chalk Bar & Grill in Didsbury with the sole purpose of trying out an array of drinks from their rather impressive new cocktail menu. The team boasts the new selection to be “Stylish, modern and creative” as the theme running through both the new cocktail and food menus, along with a new-look interior to offer a more casual drinking and dining experience.
Independent hospitality group, M.A.D Ltd, who own a portfolio of popular bars and restaurants in the Northern Quarter and Didsbury, including The Fitzgerald, Rosylee and Hula, recently purchased Chalk and have used their expertise to develop the new cocktail-lead offering.
Jonathan Hawkins, Director at MAD, says “Chalk is a hugely popular bar and restaurant in Didsbury and we purchased it knowing we wouldn’t need to change very much. However we wanted to bring our expertise in the art of cocktail making to Didsbury, and offer customers something a little different. We have introduced a really exciting new cocktail menu to compliment the rest of the food and drink offering, and allow customers to enjoy great drinks in a stylish, yet relaxed environment.”
Cocktails include the Acai Cosmopolitan made with Absolut Berry Acai, the Singapore Sunset with Cherry Heering and San Pellegrino Blood Orange and the Siberian Margarita owing its electric blue colour to the addition of Blue Curacao. Each is guaranteed to delight the senses, and all Twisted Classics are 2 for 1 every day between 5pm and 8pm – so even more reason to give them a try.
Fabulous Fizzes cater for the growing number of Prosecco fans, and again give a modern twist on classics. The Rhubarb Royale mixes Portobello Road gin with Rhubarb, Rosehip and Vanilla foam. While Pornstar Martini fans will love the Pair of Absolut Pornstars, two Pornstar Martinis served with a mini bottle of Prosecco on the side to share.
For the more discerning drinker, there is a great selection of inventive cocktails – exclusively developed by Chalk’s in-house mixology team, to offer an experience in creative flair as well as taste.
These include the Watermelon and Candy Floss Caipirinha, the Aviatrix (2 people to share) served up in a stylish suitcase with a mysterious violet fog, and the Chalk Iced Tea (4 to share), a Hendricks’s based punch, which is served in a vintage teapot complete with teacups and saucers. Gin fans will love the new Gin Copa menu, a large measure of quality gin garnished with fruits and botanicals to enhance the natural flavours and served with a perfectly matched premium tonic.
Along with new cocktails, the food menu has been refreshed by the talented Executive Chef Jason Latham and new Head Chef, Clement Oaihimire, who has previously worked for The Delaunay in London, and most recently Infamous Diner. New skewers, grills and lighter summery dishes are the stars of the show and the introduction of a lunch and early evening set menu means diners can enjoy the most popular dishes at 2 courses for £11.95 and 3 courses for £14.95. Staying faithful to sourcing and using only the best of local, British ingredients, the menu has been made more accessible with many of the new dishes focussed around the grill, as well as introducing another British classic – Afternoon Tea.
Mark Andrew, Managing Director at MAD says, “Chalk’s stylish surrounds, casual drinking and dining offer and late opening hours, seven day a week, make it a venue that’s accessible to all – and that’s exactly what we want it to be. Chalk is about original cocktails, good, quality food and a great atmosphere, and I hope the new drinks and dishes are welcomed and enjoyed by customers old and new.”
Needless to say as usual team Finest were the last to leave the party, literally in this instance we left with the staff. The atmosphere was great and this newly revived Chalk will I’m sure be welcomed with open arms by Didsbury’s more discerning clientele.
To keep up to date with developments at Chalk, visit the website chalkbar.co.uk or follow them on Facebook or Twitter
