IT’S neck and neck, but Bundobust looks set to pip Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse to the post by a day in the race to open before Christmas.
The first, opening on Wednesday, December 14, in a Piccadilly basement once occupied by the Metro Chinese buffet, follows the formula of the Leeds city centre original, authentic Indian veggie snacks matched with cutting edge beers, but in a much bigger space – an estimated 140 covers – and an emphasis firmly on the food. Unlike in Leeds you can't just pop in for a pint. Visitors will be met by front of house to be seated at one of the booths or the communal canteen-style benches.
It’s an ambitious step for co-owners Mayur Patel and Marko Husak (pictured). Mayur is the son of the legendary Kaushy Pate, whose Drighlington restaurant Prashad has won national acclaim, not least from Gordon Ramsay. For Bundobust he created a pared down snack interpretation of her Gujerati-inspired dishes.
Beer guru Marko garnered equal plaudits for his groundbreaking Bradford bar, The Sparrow. Where it has led, many others have followed along the city’s hippest strip, North Parade. At Bundobust, beside the keg beers you’ll find a long bottle list featuring Mikkeller, Fourpure, Siren, Wild Beer and US cult beers from Odell and its ilk. Cask is promised for Manchester plus a pledge to source from our top local breweries such as Cloudwater.
Here’s the Leeds menu to give you a taste of the food.From various jaunts over there ToM recommends the okra fries, classic chaat, idli sambhar steamed dumplings and the only veggie burger you’ll ever want to eat – Mumbai speciality vada pav, deep-fried gram flour-coated mash, served in a brioche bun with fiery chillies and chutneys.
In Manchester for license purposes, they are there to accompany the small plates Mayur’s team will be cooking up from an open kitchen.
Meanwhile, we have to wait until Thursday, December 15 for the soft opening of Seven Bro7hers brewery’s bespoke bar in the Ice Plant Building (above), Cutting Room Square, Ancoats (opposite Rudy’s Pizza). It has been even longer in the gestation than Bundobust but will provide a valuable city centre outlet – over two levels – for the Trafford Park brewers’ seven-strong range plus a raft of guest beers across 14 keg lines and two handpumps. Food here is more an accompaniment than an equal partner.
The move is the latest chapter in the McAvoy brothers’ colourful back story. Yes, there are seven of them (alongside four sisters, one of who has created the smart brand look for the Brewhouse). Dad McAvoy in their crammed Salford home-brewed in the cellar, inspiring his sons eventually to a Eureka ‘let’s start our own brewery’ moment in Oslo.
The dream came to fruition almost three years ago and a crowdfunding push has boosted this natural extension. We’ve seen the designs for the place and it all looks a stylish cut above other beer halls springing up across the city.
But, of course, openings are always seat of the pants jobs. Evidence? NQ newcomer Cooper Hall last week. Above is how Bundobust’s site looked a week ago. The Seven Bro7hers’ bar is only being installed on Monday, December 12 after essential wiring and plumbing work has gone ahead (below).
We wish both these genuine indie bars well. They’ve been a long time coming and ToM has built up a thirst.
Bundobust, 61, Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AQ; Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, Ice Plant Building, 39 Blossom St, Ancoats Manchester M4.