Yet, of course, we’re all still getting snowed in and freezing our bums off, so let me guide you to some of the best places to hibernate and fill your boots on some great big plates of pub classics, while we wait and pray for the sun to get his hat on immediately.
West Corner NQ
Picture this…steak sandwiches and a huge pot of dipping gravy. Now you have that image in your head? Go and get one, because dipping gravy should be made an essential addition to every single meal. West Corner also do those incredible multi-layered burgers that will keep you full and warm for days.
West Corner, 21 Hilton St, Manchester M1 1JJ
westcorner.co.uk
Bay Horse Tavern
Everyone loves a Sunday lunch with all the trimmings and a disproportionately sized Yorkshire pudding on top of all the other food items, so Bay Horse Tavern will not disappoint. Choose from suckling pig, rib eye of beef, you can split it with someone and it’ll only set you back £14 and you can chuck in a Bloody Mary or an Irish Coffee for a meagre £5 AND have a pease pudding starter or ! Count me in. For even more pub classics, Bay Horse Tavern serves up sandwiches with meat from the rotisserie daily, beer battered fish and chips, steak and ale pies or some amazing bar snacks – scotch egg (giant) or black pudding with cider sauce anyone?
The Bay Horse Tavern, 35-37 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1NA
thebayhorsetavern.co.uk/
The Parlour
I don’t think there is a more staple pub grub essential than fish finger butties or beef sandwiches? Correct me if I’m wrong, but with The Parlour’s Mr. Frost’s slow-cooked salt beef sandwich and their beer battered haddock fish finger sandwich, you’ll have little room for argument.
The Parlour,60 Beech Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9EG
theparlour.info
Sam’s Chop House
I could include all the chop houses (Albert’s, Tom’s), but seeing as Sam’s has the famous copper Lowry at the end of the bar, they get first mention. Oh, and the pub grub is completely to die for. Bread and dripping as a sharing platter is a stroke of genius, and you can also go for Sam’s Famous corned beef hash, braised beef in ale, served with horseradish mash and parsnip crisps, bacon chop ‘bubble and squeak’ or the famous steak and kidney pudding. Wash all of these gorgeous warmers down with Sam’s award-winning wine.
Sam’s Chop House, Back Pool Fold, Off Cross Street, Manchester
www.samschophouse.co.uk
The Wharf
Summer fully needs to hurry up so once again we can bask in the sun with The Wharf’s lovely beer garden as the setting. Since at the time of writing this, it’s -2 degrees in March (why, god, why) and the only warm things I can promise you or, should I say, the only things that I can guarantee to warm you up come from The Wharf’s hearty pub grub menu. Steak sandwiches, leek and pork sausages, or pan roasted venison rump? Or maybe deep fried cod or roast sea trout? Maybe you don’t want too much grub to interfere with your delicious beer drinking time, so you can opt for a good bowl of leek and potato soup or a Castlefield egg – a pork and black pudding good old scotch egg.
The Wharf, 6 Slate Wharf, Manchester M15 4ST
0161 220 2960
Trof
Double cheese burger for lunch, oxtail suet pudding for tea? Not tickling your fancy? How about ham hock and piccalilli on sourdough toast or a beautiful spin on classic chicken and chips? Needless to say the Sunday roasts at Trof will blow your mind too.
Trof, 8 Thomas St, Manchester M4 1EU
trofnq.co.uk/
Hawksmoor
For the posher of the pub grubs, but heartier than you can probably handle – Hawksmoor. Go for a Chateaubriand steak on a Wednesday because why not? Or maybe because it’s (h)Rump day, enjoy a lunch special of rump and chips for £15 (I did say it was posh). Saying that, their express menu means you can have potted beef and bacon for a starter, rump steak / salmon and a side and sticky toffee pudding for £28. It’s comfort food and at its ultimate finest.
Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WB
thehawksmoor.com
TNQ is the quintessential place for a hearty meal and a classic is only around the corner. Who doesn’t love a shepherd’s pie on a freezing day? Or any day for that matter. Their steak and porter pies are next level in the pie game, and TNQ never fails with anything from the grill!
The Northern Quarter Restaurant & Bar, 108 High St, Manchester M4 1HQ, UK
https://www.tnq.co.uk/
