Oxford Rd.
This was the first part of the Kro empire to open. It's a pretty decent bar. There is a good selection of bottled and draft beers, including three handpumps for real ale. The upstairs is impressive - with large rooms large tables, wooden floors,
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Jabez Clegg
Portsmouth St, near Oxford Rd.
This cavernous pub is located on the Manchester University campus, set just back from Oxford Road. It's not a great place for a drink - the clientele largely consist of bored students who lack the energy to head into town. The bar staff all seem to be about 16 years old and aren't happy to serve people. There are a couple of real ales available, but this hardly makes up for the lacklustre punters and staff. The place looks okay because the large main bar has lots of exposed brickwork. It feels like the sort of pub where it would be alright to watch an important football match - which is not a great recommendation. Something strange also happens in here at around 10pm. The drinkers are ushered out of the place and it is turned into a club. This is yet another reason to avoid Jabez Clegg.
This cavernous pub is located on the Manchester University campus, set just back from Oxford Road. It's not a great place for a drink - the clientele largely consist of bored students who lack the energy to head into town. The bar staff all seem to be about 16 years old and aren't happy to serve people. There are a couple of real ales available, but this hardly makes up for the lacklustre punters and staff. The place looks okay because the large main bar has lots of exposed brickwork. It feels like the sort of pub where it would be alright to watch an important football match - which is not a great recommendation. Something strange also happens in here at around 10pm. The drinkers are ushered out of the place and it is turned into a club. This is yet another reason to avoid Jabez Clegg.
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Argyles
Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton.
It is reasonably well placed as a stop off point between the 'four banks' area and Beech Road (albeit much nearer the former). Argyles (sans apostrophe) is a very modern looking bar, and as such it lacks any real warmth. The interior is quite stark, in the style of some city centre bars that were popular in the 90s (think Berlin, Prague V or Dry Bar). The cocktail menu is extensive, but there was only one hand pump serving real ale when I visited. The bottled beer selection was also pretty uninspiring.
This bar is fine for a quick drink, but not really the sort of place you would want to spend an entire evening. The menu looks alright, and there is a decent beer garden at the back of the building.
It is reasonably well placed as a stop off point between the 'four banks' area and Beech Road (albeit much nearer the former). Argyles (sans apostrophe) is a very modern looking bar, and as such it lacks any real warmth. The interior is quite stark, in the style of some city centre bars that were popular in the 90s (think Berlin, Prague V or Dry Bar). The cocktail menu is extensive, but there was only one hand pump serving real ale when I visited. The bottled beer selection was also pretty uninspiring.
This bar is fine for a quick drink, but not really the sort of place you would want to spend an entire evening. The menu looks alright, and there is a decent beer garden at the back of the building.
AQSA Chippy & Spice Grill
Great Stone Road, Stretford.
JUNE 2010 - They had no curries or kebabs (except elephants foot doner) - I left. Seems they're concentrating on the chippy sifde of things, shame.
Well no sooner did we review Yianni’s than it closed – days later it reopened as AQSA (an Islamic holy place in Jerusalem – if you’re interested). It’s a bit hard to tell what’s going on here. After literally 2 days closed this place has reopened as something else. Seemingly a Pakistani kebab/chippy place. Which is something we’ve never encountered before, hence it's in the sundries section. They’ve kept most of the fixtures from before – even the menu on the wall, presumably that at least will be changed in the near future. The only obvious difference from the front is the removal of the grill (precisely what I’d do when opening a ‘Spicy Grill’!). however in its place is pretty much the only thing better – a tandoor. The draw back to this is that it seems everything will be cooked in the tandoor and to save time the large seekhs or kobedas (hard to tell) were pre-cooked then microwaved. It wasn’t until this process was happening that I saw the fresh stuff hanging up in the fridge - skewers of meat, chicken legs and chops. Onion bhajis wand samosas looked home made and rather than the usual microwaving were crisped up in the chippy fryer. I love it when a plan comes together! I’ve really no idea how this place will work out – it may try hard and be good or lower standards and end up pre-cooking and microwaving everything. Hard to tell at the moment. Lets hope the latter.
JUNE 2010 - They had no curries or kebabs (except elephants foot doner) - I left. Seems they're concentrating on the chippy sifde of things, shame.
Well no sooner did we review Yianni’s than it closed – days later it reopened as AQSA (an Islamic holy place in Jerusalem – if you’re interested). It’s a bit hard to tell what’s going on here. After literally 2 days closed this place has reopened as something else. Seemingly a Pakistani kebab/chippy place. Which is something we’ve never encountered before, hence it's in the sundries section. They’ve kept most of the fixtures from before – even the menu on the wall, presumably that at least will be changed in the near future. The only obvious difference from the front is the removal of the grill (precisely what I’d do when opening a ‘Spicy Grill’!). however in its place is pretty much the only thing better – a tandoor. The draw back to this is that it seems everything will be cooked in the tandoor and to save time the large seekhs or kobedas (hard to tell) were pre-cooked then microwaved. It wasn’t until this process was happening that I saw the fresh stuff hanging up in the fridge - skewers of meat, chicken legs and chops. Onion bhajis wand samosas looked home made and rather than the usual microwaving were crisped up in the chippy fryer. I love it when a plan comes together! I’ve really no idea how this place will work out – it may try hard and be good or lower standards and end up pre-cooking and microwaving everything. Hard to tell at the moment. Lets hope the latter.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
Darbar
Wilmslow Rd. Rusholme.
Darbar has unfortunately gone the way of many Pakistani places that are trying to shed the old-fashioned (poor) curry house image. Understandable in itself, but is not achieved by sticking a massive tele on the wall, having silly flashing lights and hiking up the prices. – Thankfully the chef remains the same and is one of the best around. On its day the food is as good as I’ve ever had of this type. However you have to order the right thing. There are certain expectations of what dishes curry houses will have available – so even though Darbar has the traditional stuff they still have the base sauce curries too – which are OK but unremarkable. Stick to the fresh grills – juicy and subtly marinaded and the ‘chef’s specials’ – Karahi Gosht on the bone, Nihari, traditional Korma, Handi, etc and you’ll probably have an excellent meal.
Darbar has unfortunately gone the way of many Pakistani places that are trying to shed the old-fashioned (poor) curry house image. Understandable in itself, but is not achieved by sticking a massive tele on the wall, having silly flashing lights and hiking up the prices. – Thankfully the chef remains the same and is one of the best around. On its day the food is as good as I’ve ever had of this type. However you have to order the right thing. There are certain expectations of what dishes curry houses will have available – so even though Darbar has the traditional stuff they still have the base sauce curries too – which are OK but unremarkable. Stick to the fresh grills – juicy and subtly marinaded and the ‘chef’s specials’ – Karahi Gosht on the bone, Nihari, traditional Korma, Handi, etc and you’ll probably have an excellent meal.
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