Manchester Food Trail 2023, Days 1 & 2

Manchester Food Trail 2023, Days 1 & 2

These were the places we visited and ate at, as regular paying customers, on the Manchester Food Trail 2023 in Manchester, England.

• Day 1
• Trof
• The Bay Horse Tavern
• The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon


• Day 2
• Pret A Manger
• Mr Thomas's Chop House
• Christmas Markets
• The Old Wellington

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Day 1
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Trof
@ 8 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1EU, England
Opening Hours: Tue - Sun 9am – 3pm, 3:30pm – 9pm, Sun 9am – 9pm, Closed Mon
https://trofnq.co.uk/


Established in 2003 and operated independently by owner Matt Nellany since January 2021, Trof is renowed as a casual gastrobar specialising in hearty British English pub grub. Located in the North Quarter of the city, Trof is a dandy den of indulgence, a great place to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Ambience at Trof is rustic and industrial, harkening back to the good ole days. The warmly lit place is adorned with eclectic light fixtures and sturdy cushioned wooden furnishings, a formidable bar spanning its length. The entrance is framed with red bricks and hanging green plants. Service at Trof is friendly, with staff taking the effort to ensure guests are enjoying themselves. They engage in conversation, and clean up efficiently when diners leave. Food at Trof is classic British English pub grub, hearty and filling plates that are pure comfort, best paired with their exquisite beer selection. Portions are large for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about GBP £14 per person.

Trof Exterior

Trof Interior

Bar

Trof Menu Brunch & Lunch

Trof Menu Drinks

Glass Of Water

Fresh off the flight, and a little jet-lagged, the Tea Builder's Brew (GBP £2.25) with a spot of milk really hit the spot. Robust with earthy savoury flavour, this warm beverage was most welcome. Good!

Tea Builder's Brew (GBP £2.25)

Tea Builder's Brew

Heard they offered one of the best Full English Breakfast (GBP £11.50) in town, and it certainly didn't disappoint. A heaping plate which included crisp toasted white bread with smoky bready sweet flavour; soft baked beans in tomato sauce with vegetal earthy sweet flavour; 2 fried eggs with eggy savoury sweet flavour; crisp potato hashbrown with starchy salty sweet savoury flavour; snappy lincolnshire pork sausage with smoky meaty savoury salty flavour; chewy grilled portobello mushroom with vegetal earthy salty flavour; and crispy pork back bacon with smoky meaty salty savoury flavour. Finished with black pudding (a sausage of beef blood, pork fat, and oatmeal), tender with a mineral savoury salty earthy flavour. A filling meal. Highly recommended!

Full English Breakfast (GBP £11.50)

Full English Breakfast

Full English Breakfast

Full English Breakfast

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The Bay Horse Tavern
@ 35 - 37 Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1NA, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 12pm – 9pm, Sat - Sun 11am – 9pm
https://thebayhorsetavern.co.uk/


With a history stretching back to 1812, The Bay Horse Tavern was refurbished and reopened in its current form in October 2016, by co-owners Lyndon Higginson, Ross Mackenzie, and Jobe Ferguson. Styled as a modern take on the humble pub, The Bay Horse Tavern quickly picked up awards, including "Best Pub 2017" (in the National Pub & Bar Awards) for their delicious restaurant-quality dishes served in a cozy setting.

Ambience at The Bay Horse Tavern has plenty of classic pub character, including wooden panelling, an antique feature fireplace, and decorated mantelpieces. The main bar on the ground floor features mustard-coloured chesterfields and teal banquettes, with tiled floors and a dartboard. Pop downstairs to find a cozy and intimate dining space, flanked by the open kitchen. Service at The Bay Horse Tavern is friendly and efficient. Staff take and fulfil orders quickly, cleaning up efficiently when diners leave. Very welcoming, they also accomodate families with children. Food at The Bay Horse Tavern is classic British English pub grub, from grazing plates to quick bites. Ingredients are locally sourced, dishes prepared from scratch. There's a good range of beverages, including craft beers. Portions are medium sized for individuals. Prices are reasonable, budget about GBP £19 per person.

The Bay Horse Tavern Exterior

The Bay Horse Tavern Interior

Seating Booth

The Bay Horse Tavern Menu Food

The Bay Horse Tavern Menu Drinks

The Beer Bay Horse Pilsner (GBP £5.70) is the house craft brew, a refreshing tipple.

Beer Bay Horse Pilsner (GBP £5.70)

Beer Bay Horse Pilsner

The Beef Steak & Ale Pie (GBP £12.50) features a medium-sized pie, with a flaky pastry pie crust dough carrying bready sweet savoury buttery flavour. Within are chunks of beef chuck steak, white onions, and diced carrots, slow-braised with ale and beef gravy till everything turns tender and juicy, resulting in robust meaty salty savoury flavour. The pie is garnished with crispy fried shallots, lending a light crunch and vegetal salty savoury flavour. Served with creamy smooth mashed potato with starchy sweet savoury flavour, and chunky gooey mushy peas with vegetal grassy earthy sweet flavour. Completed with more beef gravy on the side. Highly recommended!

Beef Steak & Ale Pie (GBP £12.50)

Beef Steak & Ale Pie

Beef Steak & Ale Pie

Beef Steak & Ale Pie

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The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon
@ 67 - 71 Princess Street, Manchester M2 4EG, England
Opening Hours: Daily 8am – 8pm
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pub-histories/england/manchester/the-waterhouse-manchester


Named after architect Alfred Waterhouse, who designed this place in 1877, The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon is a traditional pub, operated by the J D Wetherspoon PLC group, founded and owned by business tycoon Timothy Randall Martin. As a chain pub, The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon is known for its large standardised menu available all day, with good value for money dishes. It's also the only large-scale pub brand to operate during breakfast.

Ambience at The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon is cozy and warm. The tight corridors lead into small dining rooms, which are medium-lit. Aging wooden furnishings, faded carpets, and a non-digital feel, lend character. Service at The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon is partially self-service, with ordering and payment over the counter, as the online system doesn't work. Staff will serve orders to your table, but cleaning up is leisurely done, just as well they have ample seats. Almost no interaction too. Food at The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon is low-cost pub grub, most passably edible to above average in quality. Portions are large for individuals, offering good value for money. Prices are affordable, budget about GBP £16 per person.

The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon Exterior

The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon Interior

The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon Menu

The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon Menu

The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon Menu

The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon Menu

The Waterhouse JD Wetherspoon Menu

The Beer Wolf It Down By Rudgate Brewery (GBP £3.11) is a seasonal craft beer, only available in the months of September to October annually.

Beer Wolf It Down By Rudgate Brewery (GBP £3.11)

The Beer Coors Light (GBP £4.18) is a refreshing yet light brew, good only for easy-drinking or the young.

Beer Coors Light (GBP £4.18)

Beer Coors Light

Their rendition of Fish And Chips (GBP £10.82) features a large boneless fillet of lean flaky moist atlantic cod fish, coated in a crisp golden batter. Has a lovely gentle sweet savoury flavour. I added salt and malt vinegar, for added sour salty kick. The thick cut English potato chips had starchy salty savoury flavour, while the gooey mushy peas had vegetal grassy earthy sweet flavour. Very happy with this. Highly recommended!

Fish And Chips (GBP £10.82)

Fish And Chips

Fish And Chips

The Roast Chicken With Lemon & Herbs (GBP £11.55) features a rotisserie half chicken, seasoned with herbs and spices, and some lemon juice. The roast chicken wasn't evenly done though, some parts had tender moist chicken meat that comes easily off the bone, carrying meaty sweet savoury flavour with a hint of salty sour herbal earthy peppery spice flavour. Other parts were dry. The smooth mashed potato had starchy sweet savoury flavour, while the fresh juicy boiled garden peas had vegetal grassy sweet flavour. On the side is rich brown chicken gravy for added meaty salty savoury flavour. Could be improved.

Roast Chicken With Lemon & Herbs (GBP £11.55)

Roast Chicken With Lemon & Herbs

Roast Chicken With Lemon & Herbs

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Day 2
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Pret A Manger
@ 1 Portland Street, Manchester M1 1RG, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 6:30am – 6pm, Closed Sun
https://www.pret.co.uk/

@ Corporation Street, Manchester M4 3AQ, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 8am – 8pm, Sun 10:30am – 5:30pm


Founded by Julian Metcalfe and Sinclair Beecham in July 1986, Pret A Manger is a fast-casual snack and sandwich franchise chain. Pret A Manger is known for their emphasise on the use of natural ingredients, with food being freshly made daily. As a social cause, Pret A Manger donates any unsold food at the close of business, via The Pret Foundation charity, to homeless shelters.

Ambience at Pret A Manger is bright and welcoming. Simple clean lines and functional furniture, appetizing displays, and the wonderful aroma of freshly brewed beverages beckon. Service at Pret A Manger is efficient and friendly, with staff quickly taking and fulfilling orders. They demonstrate good product knowledge. Staff help clean up on occasion, though most diners usually clear their own trays. Food at Pret A Manger is modern British English cuisine, focusing on sandwiches, pastries, confectioneries, and drinks. Everything is made fresh daily, and standards are consistent across stores. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about GBP £10 per person.

Pret A Manger Facade

Food Display

Counter

The Pigs In A Blanket Roll (GBP £4.70) has juicy mini pork chipolata sausages, wrapped in chewy streaky pork bacon, within a soft ciabatta bread roll, spread with thick caramelised white onion chutney and a creamy blend of yellow mustard and mayonnaise. With satisfying bready smoky meaty salty savoury vegetal sweet earthy spice sour zesty flavour, this makes for a fortifying breakfast to start the day. Worth ordering!

Pigs In A Blanket Roll (GBP £4.70)

Pigs In A Blanket Roll

The Bacon Egg Butty (GBP £4.50) is a sandwich with tender pork back bacon and fluffy egg omelette within a soft ciabatta bread roll. This has notes of morning, warm with bready smoky meaty salty savoury eggy sweet flavours. Good!

Bacon Egg Butty (GBP £4.50)

Bacon Egg Butty

Bacon Egg Butty

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Mr Thomas's Chop House
@ 52 Cross Street, Manchester M2 7AR, England
Opening Hours: Sun - Thu 12pm – 8:30pm, Fri - Sat 12pm – 10pm
https://www.tomschophouse.com/


Established by husband-and-wife Thomas and Sarah Studd in 1867, Mr Thomas's Chop House was at one point renamed to Mrs Sarah's Chop House in honour of the family matriarch. This place, which still bears the name of the family patriarch, is related to the nearby Sam's Chop House established by brother Samuel Studd. Mr Thomas's Chop House remains family-run to this day, now operated by the owner of The Victorian Chop House Company, Roger Ward. The concept of Mr Thomas's Chop House is a relaxed gastrobar, serving to facilitate business deals, or get-togethers with family and friends.

Ambience at Mr Thomas's Chop House is rustic and narrow. The buff-coloured terracotta and red brick building is long but narrow, and within, the brightly lit place has sturdy wooden furniture lining both sides, with a cramped walkway across the green and cream floor tiles. Service at Mr Thomas's Chop House is attentive and informal, with staff demonstrating good product knowledge. They take and fulfil orders quickly, and clean up efficiently when diners leave. Navigating the place carrying large plates during peak periods is a graceful and thrilling dance, and I commend the staff for this. Food at Mr Thomas's Chop House is gourmet British English cuisine, in gastrobar style. Delicious dishes made by top chefs who care about taste, quality ingredients, and careful preparation; the menus vary seasonally and include imaginative modern touches. Portions are large for individuals. Prices are reflective of a gastrobar, budget about GBP £31 per person.

Mr Thomas's Chop House Signage

Mr Thomas's Chop House Exterior

Mr Thomas's Chop House Interior

Mr Thomas's Chop House Menu

Mr Thomas's Chop House Menu

The Beer Guinness Draught (GBP £6) is distinctive and unmistakable, a draught for toasting and celebration.

Beer Guinness Draught (GBP £6)

Beer Guinness Draught

The classic Cottage Pie (GBP £17) features slow-cooked tender minced beef, juicy peas, and soft diced carrots, in a rich beef gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes. Has robust starchy sweet vegetal grassy meaty salty savoury peppery spice flavour, yum. Served with crunchy roasted hispi cabbage, which holds smoky vegetal salty sweet flavour. Very filling as the portion is large. Highly recommended!

Cottage Pie (GBP £17)

Cottage Pie

Cottage Pie

Cottage Pie

The Sticky Toffee Pudding (GBP £7.50) has a base of soft moist sponge cake, glazed with a rich sticky butterscotch toffee sauce. Has robust fruity earthy herbal sweet bitter spice floral flavour. Served with creamy grainy honeycomb ice cream with lovely floral earthy sweet honeyed flavour. Highly recommended!

Sticky Toffee Pudding (GBP £7.50)

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Sticky Toffee Pudding

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Christmas Markets
@ Cathedral Gardens, Corporation Street, Manchester M4 3BG, England
Opening Hours: November - December Only, Daily 11am – 9pm
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/manchester-christmas-markets-map-guide-28012675

@ Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Manchester M1 1LY, England
Opening Hours: November - December Only, Daily 11am – 9pm

@ Exchange Square, 98 Corporation Street, Manchester M4 3AJ, England
Opening Hours: November - December Only, Daily 11am – 9pm


Operating only in the months of November to December, I was fortunate to be in town when the Christmas Markets were open. Located across 9 sites around the city centre, the Manchester Christmas Markets bring all the sights, sounds, and smells of festiveness.

Christmas Tree & Manchester Bee

Festive Banners

Christmas Windmill

Located at the Cathedral Gardens, the Warm Up At The Winter Bar is a cozy pop-up bar with festive Christmas drinks.

The Cocktail Caramel Rum (GBP £6.50) features a warm thin beverage with fruity floral earthy sour sweet boozy flavour. Warms the body, especially nice as I had this on a cool rainy evening. Worth ordering! The Cocktail Mulled Wine (GBP £6.50) features a warm medium-thin beverage with fruity sweet sour earthy spice honeyed boozy flavour. This tipple feels and tastes festive, warms the body and soul, and I had great fun exploring the Christmas markets while slowly sipping this. Good!

Warm Up At The Winter Bar Facade

Warm Up At The Winter Bar Menu

Spiced Mulled Wine Dispenser

Cocktail Caramel Rum (GBP £6.50)

Cocktail Caramel Rum

Cocktail Mulled Wine (GBP £6.50)

Cocktail Mulled Wine

Cocktail Mulled Wine

Located at the Cathedral Gardens, the Yorkshire Pudding Wraps Pop-Up is a welcoming pop-up stall specialising in a modern handheld treat. The open kitchen and piping hot food catches the eye, while the lovely aroma of grilling draws you in.

The Yorkshire Pudding Wrap (GBP £10) is a hearty and substantial handheld meal. This features a large chewy soft yorkshire pudding, stuffed with tender carrots, juicy peas, chunky pulled beef, soft roasted potatoes, and grainy horseradish and yoghurt spread. Bite into the warm roll, and you get a burst of bready savoury meaty salty vegetal earthy starchy sweet spice milky flavour. Slightly messy but overall manageable. Good!

Yorkshire Pudding Wraps Pop-Up Facade

Yorkshire Pudding Wraps Pop-Up Menu

Yorkshire Pudding Wrap (GBP £10)

Yorkshire Pudding Wrap

Yorkshire Pudding Wrap

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The Old Wellington
@ 4 Cathedral Gates, Manchester M3 1SW, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 11am – 9pm, Sat - Sun 10am – 10:30pm
https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/northwest/theoldwellingtonmanchester/


The Old Wellington has its own wikipedia entry. The oldest building of its kind since it opened in 1552, and the birthplace of writer John Byrom in 1692, The Old Wellington was rebuilt in its present location in November 1999. This half-timbered traditional building housing the pub is known for its classic pub grub and cask ales.

Ambience at The Old Wellington is rustic, like walking into a time capsule. The wooden panels and floorboards creak slightly, and the warmly lit space is neatly lined with ye olde sturdy wooden furniture. The first floor houses the bar, while the second floor has sit-down dining. Service at The Old Wellington is attentive and professional. Staff demonstrate good product knowledge, check for feedback, and have good situational awareness, handling requests and cleaning up fast. They ensure diners have a comfortable experience. Food at The Old Wellington is classic British English pub grub, well-executed consistently to restaurant standards. Portions are large and hearty. Prices are reasonable, budget about GBP £26 per person.

The Old Wellington Exterior

The Old Wellington Interior

Seating

Bar

The Old Wellington Menu

The Old Wellington Menu

The Beer Wychwood Hobgoblin English India Pale Ale (IPA) (GBP £5.35) tastes of the far-flung pacific, from whence its hops were gathered. Winner of the "World's Best IPA" at the World Beer Awards 2018.

Beer Wychwood Hobgoblin English India Pale Ale (IPA) (GBP £5.35)

Beer Wychwood Hobgoblin English India Pale Ale (IPA)

The Fish Pie (GBP £14.50) features chunks of deboned salmon fish, deboned haddock fish, deshelled king prawns, diced carrots, diced celery, and rich white wine, potato, and butter sauce, topped with crisp parsley and creamy cheddar cheese infused mashed potatoes. The crust of the pie is torched till crisp and crunchy, shattering gently. Cut in, and you get the tender creamy soft filling with bright fishy savoury vegetal earthy milky sweet cheesy salty flavour. Served with crunchy grilled broccolini florets with smoky vegetal sweet salty flavour, and tender grilled baby carrots with smoky vegetal sweet earthy flavour. Good!

Fish Pie (GBP £14.50)

Fish Pie

Fish Pie

The traditional Apple And Blackberry Crumble (GBP £6) features a base of diced bramley apple chunks and blackberry clusters, baked till caramelised with a tender juicy soft texture and sharp sour sweet fruity flavour. Covered with a beautiful rolled oat crumble, crisp crumbly fragile in texture with lovely earthy savoury sweet grainy flavour. I chose a classic side of vanilla custard, beautiful with golden hue and creamy rich texture carrying floral milky earthy sweet flavour. Highly recommended!

Apple And Blackberry Crumble (GBP £6)

Apple And Blackberry Crumble

Apple And Blackberry Crumble

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