WE knew it was cool. Every style guide tells us. Still the brick canyons of industrial Ancoats, morphing with each rollercoaster refurb, have not entirely shed their ragged edges. Do check out the latest bar/restaurant interiors along Blossom Street.
The reincarnation of the Edinburgh Castle offers downstairs a vibrant modern take on the trad pub it once was before its decades of mothballing. When you step through the heavy curtains preventing draughts from the street, turn left and follow the stairs to the first floor restaurant.
Quite, quite different and a welcome smooth alternative to the prevalent post-industrial by numbers schtick. Read our review of the food here.
Across Cutting Room Square peek into the new Hallé Kitchen – casual dining component in the remarkable, ravishing extension to St Peter’s Church. Architect Roger Stephenson has created a great home from home for the orchestra.
Maybe there were a couple of dud notes on the opening Sunday menu – chicken parfiat anyone or fliffy mash? – but it’s a smart spot to hang out in. Cross the road past Mana and opposite Sugo you’ll encounter another Stephenson project on a smaller scale on behalf of his son Ben – the Blossom Street Social.
Co-designer Ben runs the award-winning wine merchants Hanging Ditch by the Cathedral and his foray into the Smith’s Yard development has been a slow burner. On the evidence of a soft launch we were summoned to it has been well worth the wait. OK, Ben and his team were still in the process of stocking a ‘wall of wine’ reminiscent of the HD mothership but the potential was immediately obvious.
The name reflects the Social’s pioneering ambition to offer wine, beer, cocktails, coffee, food and music under one cool roof. Very Ancoats in its aim of neighbourhood solidarity. It’s a challenge to the normal wine merchant model – creating a wine retail, entertainment and social space that works from morning to night.
The wine list focuses on quality offerings at everyday prices as well as a selection of fine wines dispensed by the glass from a Coravin system. Alternatively there’ll also be craft keg and cocktails. Food will include deli plates from high-end food suppliers plus there will be kitchen capacity for guest caterers.
Blossom Street Social, Unit 4 Smiths Yard, 51 Blossom Street, Manchester, M4 6AJ.
