In 'My Top 10' we grill local industry experts on their favourite foodie spots in Manchester. Where do brewers go for a pint? Where to chefs go for dinner? We want to find out.
This week we're getting to know the head brewer at Runaway Brewery, based in Manchester's Green Quarter. Mark Welsby is the co-owner and head brewer, and specialises in producing small batch, flavour focussed, modern British beers in bottle and keg.
You've probably spotted their beer in pubs, bars and restaurants across the city - big on flavour and offering a modern take on traditional brewing styles, the Runaway ticks a lot of boxes for beer drinkers. Who better to give us an insider's guide to the city's best boozing and dining joints?
Over to Mark.
1.Top bar
My shortlist for this got out of hand pretty quickly! But I'm plumping for Common. I've heard some folk aren't yet convinced by the refit, but I think what they've done looks fantastic - really contemporary. Sure, it no longer feels like the sticky remains of a 5 year long house party (which was admittedly part of the charm) but for me the craftsmanship and simplicity of the decor is fab, the food is great, and the beer on offer is right up my alley.
2.Top pub
Spent far too long agonising over this one... but in the end it has to be The Smithfield (Market Tavern) over on Swan Street. Blackjack Brewery are our near neighbours, so when they took on the lease last summer I also had the pleasure of watching them wrestle the place back into shape. They've created a proper pub, complete with traditional pub games and a piano in the corner, and filled it with an excellent selection of beer on cask and keg, locally produced bar snacks, and a diverse mix of people. They've taken the best of tradition and put a modern twist on it - something a lot of more established pubs could learn from in my humble opinion.
3.Top restaurant
I love food. I love beer. So the last year or two has been a really exciting time for me, as restaurants start to care as much about their beer offering as they do their food. I guess gastropubs have been doing it for a while, but it's great to see that some of the best food in Manchester is now being accompanied by a really well considered beer selection; Mughli, Hawksmoor, and Volta are just three of the places leading the way - the food in each is excellent too.
4.Top spot for cheap eats
For me, Chinatown has almost got this category sewn up. Favourites of mine include: Wong Wong Bakery (Intriguing as much as it is amazing! Chinese buns meet peanut butter pancakes); Siam Smiles (authentic Thai Street food, served on plastic tables in a subterranean supermarket); and of course the mighty Yuzu (Japanese Katsu masters, and famous (in my house at least) for the most moorish Prawn Gyoza on earth. So much so I had them for pudding once).
I say almost, as I couldn't miss mentioning Pancho's Burritos in the Arndale Food Market. He also sells a great range of dried chillies too - my chilli-con-carne has never been the same.
5. Top newcomer
Finally, an easy one! Rudy's Pizza! Great food, great people, great atmosphere; a triumph! The only problem being getting in! They could fill the place 3 times over, especially at weekends. I've built a few pizza ovens in my time, and cooked at a couple of smallish events, so I know how tough it can be to get it right. Kate and Jim have definitely got it right. Love it!
6.Top beer
I tried really hard to answer this question - but quickly realised I could write a list as long as some of the brewers beards given enough time.
My advice - find a decent pub/bar/cafe/shop and ask them to recommend something from a local brewery. If they don't have any in - give em a poke from me & find somewhere that does! Alternatively, get yourself down to one of the brewery openings / tap days which are appearing across the city. Check brewery websites or follow us/them on twitter for dates / times. Favourites include Blackjack Brewtap (last Sat of the month Spring through Autumn), Cloudwater Saturdays, and regular openings at Track/Squawk Brewtap, Chorlton Brew Co, Beer Nouveau, Alphabet Brewery to name but a few.
7. Top cafe
I have a bit of an admission here - I don't really drink tea or coffee. No particular reason, I just never have. Sitting with me in a cafe/coffee shop is hellish. All I want to do is drink my milkshake in under a minute, get out and back on with my day. A heathen I know.
However, for those, like me, who don't quite pull off cafe culture - two suggestions:
- Gingers Comfort Emporium in Afflecks - Chorlton Crack ice cream milkshake anyone? Boof.
- And of course, the best cafe in all of Manchester (for me at least).... Cafe Beermoth! It's got Cafe in the name so it must be allowed. Only the best beer & lots of it. If you love beer even half as much as I do, then this place is a must. (I'm told they also do excellent coffee).
8.Top street food trader
We've been lucky to welcome a heap of street food traders to the brewery this year, thanks mainly to Sheebeen festival and our man at Grub Manchester. We've really enjoyed pizza from Honest Crust, Bao from Fu Schnikens, Burgers from What's Your Beef and of course the infamous Arepa, Arepa, Arepa! (Columbian buns).
Manchester's markets also seem to be encouraging the street food thing - in particular Altrincham and Levenshulme Markets never fail to impress. But i've also enjoyed the odd rag pudding and of course a tray of steaming black pudding at Bury Mkt.
9.Hidden Gem
My uncle's lived out in Jamaica since the 60's and over the years I've cultivated a mild obsession for Jamaican patty. You'd think it'd be easy enough to replicate - but ive made a science of it, and it's a lot harder than you might think. That is until I found Old Trafford Bakery. It's a really unassuming little place on Shrewsbury Street and they do some of the best patties this side of Constant Spring! They also bake a few other West-Indian classics like as spiced fruit bun and hard dough bread.
10. Wild card
One's to watch.... Steep Soda: They made us an orange and cinnamon soda and a cucumber infused tonic for Decembers Brewery tap. Both delicious. Keep an eye out for them at Altrincham Market and other events around the city.
Am also excited about Leeds' Bundobust opening up in Manchester this year if all goes to plan. Big flavour veggie Indian food and modern British beer - great combo.
From Spring to Autumn, the Runaway Brewery open their doors for monthly tours and tastings. The next event will be Easter weekend. For more details, see the events section on their website, or follow them on twitter @runawaybrewery.