Grill on The Alley is what I would refer to as a well known Manchester staple. Yet it retains an air of being a hidden venue for people “in the know”. Which is why despite its newer and “fresher” sibling, Grill on New York St, I still prefer The Alley.
Thursday night has long been the night to be out in Manchester and remains so stronger than ever. Not only with launch parties, events and openings choosing Thursday as “their night” but the rest of us week on week get restless after 4 days work and frankly we’ve earned an evening out, where possible paid for on the company credit card of course.
Anyway so it’s Thursday and it’s Grill on The Alley. From 5.30pm after a warm greeting the first question is simply this “have you booked a table this evening” – if not don’t panic the staff will accommodate you and a drink or two in the bar area before a table is free isn’t exactly a hardship.
I joked on Twitter with the team at Grill on The Alley about turning up and just ordering a salad. There response was “Our salads are fantastic” – fair enough. On the night though we decided to go all out. For starters we opted for the Salt and Pepper Calamari to share and it was an inspired choice, we both thoroughly enjoyed it.
For main course there was Red Limousin Beef on offer as a speciality British Beef, though it takes its name from Central France. I had the 283g Fillet and opted for the Home-Cut Chips. The steak was cooked perfectly and the you really can’t go wrong with ordering the chips. We also ordered the Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb – a BlackHouse favourite and Instagram pleaser to say the least. It tasted great but even more than that if you want that #noFilter shot then this is the dish for you.
Dessert wise it’d be rude not to and we went for the equally Instagram-able Raspberry Pavlova and the more staple Sticky Toffee Pudding. Both were excellent and if I had to choose again I’d still go for the Toffee Pud.
Overall I really like Grill on The Alley and hand done for a long time, the food it always to a high standard and equally so the staff. Book in advance and for me it’s all about the Thursday evening atmosphere.
