FINGERS crossed the weather’s better for GRUB’s sophomore weekend in their arty new home, the Red Bank Project. After trekking up via a refreshment pit-stop in the reopened Beatnikz Republic brewery tap we didn’t mind getting soaked (the dog did) purchasing a lovely Armenian chicken dish from couple who’d epically made it down from Newcastle. The street traders are out in the yard but the bar and dining hall are both inside – plus on the day GRUB stalwart Charlotte O’Toole of Bakeorama whose colourful vegan cakes matched beautifully with the murals that come with the premises.
There’s some equally dazzling food on for the second weekend in what GRUB hope will be a permanent home for their street trader roster. It’s no further from the city centre than the Fairfield Social or Mayfield and has its own special vibe.
Friday November 8/9: Fat Annie’s, Seitan’s Kebab, Phata Phat, Suttiku and Amai Desserts and Sunday, November 10: Hip Hop Chip Shop, Bake & Kies, Geordie Seoul, The Greedy Gringo, Los Churros Hermano and Bee Kind Bakery. From 4pm.
Here’s a gallery to whet your appetite – Japanese inspired kushikatsu from Sutikku; battered cauliflower curry poutine from Phata Phat; dogs from Fat Annie’s and Taiwanese snow ice from Amai’s…
As we mentioned inn our preview in addition to the top-class street food GRUB is well known for, the new venue will also be home to a new dedicated kids play room, two separate bar areas (one with 22 lines of craft beer on offer) and a flexible event space designed to house activities and workshops.
This will be regularly used by well being events team Feel Good Club who are looking to use the space for events which aim to turn self-doubt into self-belief, calm over-thinking minds, encourage people to step outside of their comfort zones and much more.
Expect workshops full of yoga, art, working out, good food or even enjoying beer. The street food will be served up in the yard area which will feature that fire pit to keep visitors warm throughout the winter.
The Red Bank Project itself is a newly-opened temporary space for Manchester’s artists and makers. It aims to become a street art hub and was inaugurated on October 21 with a psychedelic mural by street artist Marc Craig. The other murals inside the food hall and downstairs bar are also striking.
GRUB, The Red Bank Project, 50 Redbank, M4 4HF. Their Food Fair runs every Friday and Saturday, while the 100 per cent vegan street food market Plant Powered Sundays is every Sunday. The event is always free entry, no tickets are needed and all comers including families and dogs are welcome.