FANCY a hidden away antidote to the Christmas Market crush? The courtyard behind The Refuge has been turned into the Winterway Bar with the addition of a colourful airstream van serving mulled wine and prosecco. The bar, with outdoor heaters, will be open till New Year’s Eve and is available for private hire as well for Christmas parties.
The view up to the winter sky is pretty spectacular, too – it’s in the well of The Refuge’s ‘mothership, The Principal Hotel. Thoroughly braced, step inside and sample the newly launched ‘Group Feasting Menu’, available throughout December and described by Refuge co-owners Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (aka the Unabombers DJ duo) as a collection of ‘sleeves up, dig in’ dishes.
The Yule menu includes fire-roasted Padrón peppers with Maldon salt, Turkey porchetta, cranberry and apricot stuffing, goose fat roast potatoes, cranberry-glazed pigs in blankets as well as for the sweet-toothed chocolate fondue or a flaming Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Feasting menus are served sharing style and priced at £29.50 each.Full menu details can be found here.
The Refuge by Volta, Principal Hotel, Oxford Road, Manchester, M60 7HA. 0161 2281111.
