Sticky Shredded Chicken
Salt & Pepper
The newest place to join the family at The Arndale Food Market is Salt & Pepper which does exactly what it says on the tin (surprisingly enough). I enjoyed sticky shredded chicken in a sweet canton sauce – half sesame rice, half chips, pickled Asian salad and crispy shallots. In short, it was delightful. – James Barker
Chicken Katsu Curry
The Counter House
A sweet baked almond chicken katsu curry served with a refreshing alternative to sticky rice, black rice and edamame beans. The edamame beans provide a good crunch to a dish that is usually all one texture. The thick coconut curry sauce is rich, sweet and there is plenty of it to dip your chicken in. – Ellie Edginton
Cakey Price
Blank Canvas
Sometimes, we all just want something completely and utterly ridiculous, sugary and highly calorific. Luckily the freakshakes at Blank Canvas tick all three boxes with cream, sweets, biscuits and cake added on top for good measure. I am a bit of a chocoholic, so I am particularly fond of the ‘Cakey Price’ chocolate milkshake finished with a SLAB of chocolate cake just because. What’s more, if you want to try one for yourself, Blank Canvas are handing them out FOR FREE from 12 pm. Get involved! – Charlotte Warrior
Spicy Chicken Bento Box
Cottonopolis
Cottonopolis reimagined lunch menu serving Bento Boxes are good portions and come with a beer – which is ideal. The tempura vegetables are crunchy with a subtle saltiness from a good sprinkling of seaweed salt. The chicken karaage bao is crunchy in the middle of a soft and fluffy bao bun. The spicy mayo is a DREAM. There’s also avocado taco in a perfectly crunchy shell and a refreshing citrus zing. The chicken yakitori coated in a peanut sauce served on bamboo skewers is a good meaty touch to the box. – Alex Watson
Magnum P.I.G. Special
Crazy Pedro’s
The monthly specials at Pedro’s are usually pretty out there when it comes to the toppings – let’s not forget that they once had a pizza with bloody crickets on it! This month is a little more subdued – but that doesn’t mean that it’s not tasty AF – coming topped with SPAM (my favourite meat of all time), onions, peppers, cheese, pineapple (YES!) and squirted with Teriyaki sauce. It’s inspired by Magnum P.I. with Tom Selleck – but don’t worry too much about that – just get it down your neck. – Ben Brown
Limoncello Lemon Meringue Pie
Blanchflower
Who knew lemon meringue pie could get more lemony? Blanchflower. They’ve only gone and added Limoncello, after the first bite your eye might squint but this is delicious. Served with a crunchy shortcrust base and topped with a sweet and soft meringue that is ever so slightly toasted the desert is perfectly balanced. A refreshing end to a filling pizza meal. – Alex Watson
