(Greasy Spoon Pizza)
Okay. Before we tuck into this review I have to put my hands up and say that the student is surviving rather well right now. I have secured an internship with an online magazine called Manchester Confidential. As an intern I make coffee and do bits and pieces in the office but most importantly I am there to learn about the social media uses and how the magazine works. Fortunately for me The Confidentials are a Food and Lifestyle magazine and my new colleagues are more than happy to take me along when they go to clients to write. Which means I get to try the food at all these different establishments around Manchester and Salford whilst the magazine foots the bill. As a result I have a lot more places available to me to review without breaking the bank. This doesn't mean my review is biased or influenced in any way, it is still my own opinion and hasn't been bought by the establishments or been written for Manchester Confidential.
So, boasting over, let’s get onto Bandit Mugger and Thief.
Bandit Mugger and Thief is located on Canal Street in Manchester's Gay Village. From what I have heard, this particular bar and eatery hosts entertainment quite fitting for it location with Drag Queens galore. Unfortunately there was no such entertainment on when I visited one Monday in June with two colleagues.
Not having been before I was pleasantly surprised with the block wooden tables, really comfortable chairs and wide windows on the raised platform where we sat overlooking the lovely quiet street and canal (and the not so lovely construction work opposite).
As the purpose of our visit was to write a Best to Order article for the bar, we were given a small selection to share so that we could get a taste of everything. We got a platter of pork pies, a cheese and meats board, the chicken and pesto burger and we were thrilled to get a greasy spoon pizza (appetizing name I know).
(Meat and Cheese Platter)
The meat and cheese platter was rather good. The menu contained five to six different meats and cheeses and the customer can choose three meats and three cheeses to make up their platter. Ours came on a round wooden board with Salami, local chorizo and pancetta partnered with the three cheeses. We had chosen a rhubarb and vanilla Wensleydale, a Lancashire and a Cheddar with mustard seed. At first I thought we were given strips of streaky bacon instead of pancetta. It isn’t uncommon for this to happen and I suppose a fair few people won’t argue but I am assured that we had pancetta. It was so gorgeously crisp and salty that I think I'd rather have pancetta with my fry up than bacon! There was no arguing with the flavoursome chorizo but the salami was a little none descript and looked a little anaemic next to the other deeply coloured meats.
My favourite of the cheeses was definitely the rhubarb and vanilla Wensleydale. It was beautifully creamy with a hint of clean sweetness that suited me just fine. Nor did you wonder where the rhubarb was, it was subtle but there. I ate as much as I could of it without simply taking the block. The Lancashire was your typical strong flavoured yet not overwhelming cheese and the Cheddar was as creamy as it promised with the background hints of mustard.
(Pork Pie Platter- Front to back Apple and Pork, Chilli and Pork, Plain Pork...We think...)
Next up was the Pork Pie platter. This promised a half of three different pies; plain, Chilli and Apple. However we were puzzled as to which was which because they tasted identical. We guessed that the front pie might have been apple but purely from texture. So I wasn't too impressed with this platter. Don't get me wrong, they were perfectly nice pork pies but I am positive that I wouldn't order them again.
The Greasy Spoon Pizza (main image) was a sight to behold and was dubbed the ultimate hangover pizza. It was genuinely just a full English breakfast on a pizza, complete with egg and hash browns. Strangely enough it had a spicy bite to it and by the time I had eaten a slice my nose was threatening to start running and there was an undeniable tingling on my tongue. I hold that it was a spice in the sauce, one colleague claiming it was the sausage. You'll just have to try it yourself and see who you agree with the most.
(Get Clucked burger)
The Get Clucked pesto and sundried tomato chicken burger was a sneaky favourite. Compared to the other dishes it was rather fresh and summery. The chicken was beautifully cooked and seasoned with a golden skin. The pesto was refreshingly clean tasting compared to the red meats and greases of the pizza and platters whilst the sundried tomatoes added a sweetness that lifted it all. I would certainly come back for this burger and chunky chips when I want something a bit cleaner tasting.
(Lemon Drop Cocktail)
We were asked to try out their experimental cocktails so ordered one each. I ordered the Lemon Drop. Needless to say it was lemony it certainly woke me up. The sugared rim was a necessity otherwise I fear it could have been too sharp and sour for even sipping. But if you like lemon and want to completely clear your pallet I recommend it heartily.
We also got our hands on the Apple Strudel, which honestly did taste of Apple Strudel. It was a little on the watery side but tasted as promised none the less. Seeing as it wasn't my cocktail I wasn't allowed to guzzle it down no matter how much I wanted to...
(Apple Strudel Cocktail)
And finally a cocktail that was given to us as a recommendation and I didn't get its name. This was an odd one, no matter how pretty it was as a dusky purple with floating edible flowers. It tasted faintly of Parma Violet sweets with some unidentifiable fragrant flower taste. I really cant say if I liked it or not, I suppose I'd have to try it again to decide.
(Unknown Pretty Cocktail)
Over all I was quite impressed with Bandit Mugger and Thief. It was a lot nicer than I initially thought it would be, the room was light and airy and the food was more than satisfying for the most part. I would certainly recommend a visit if you're passing by.