LUKE Cowdrey and Justin Crawford’s food and bar empire is basking in the spotlight, thanks to the continued success and evolution of Volta in West Didsbury and The Refuge in Manchester.
It’s good to see that the Unabombers DJ duo are not neglecting their original bar project, Electrik in Chorlton, which at times has seemed to lag behind foodwise. Not any more. Yadda Yadda, originally a temporary street food kitchen takeover, will now become a permanent fixture on Wilbraham Road – heartening news for lovers of authentic kebabs.
Luke is so famous for his skewered meat consumption in Sarajevo the locals named him ‘The Kebab Man’. At Electrik he’s putting his expertise to good use in tandem with head chef (Ex Volta, head chef Railway), who shares his passion for Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Lebanese and Persian food.
The ‘no rules’ Yadda Yadda menu they have created features slow cooked meats, fresh fish, a mezze of street-food small plates with a strong vegan presence. The kebabs are crafted with handmade flatbreads made fresh everyday.
The eclectic ‘no rules’ approach means they stray beyond the classic Persian original, so, whilst the menu contains classics such as Lamb Shawarma there is also Lemongrass Chicken served with piquillo pepper, cucumber raita and green harissa; the spectacular Korean Steak with gochujang miso mayo, kimchi and crispy onions; The Flatzburger; Jerk White fish with mango salsa and the vegan Beetroot Bhaji to finish off the selection.
Eclectic small plates include Keralan Fried Chicken with lime leaf mayo, Sweet and Sour Pork Belly, Crab Biryani Balls, Smoked Almond Dahl and much more. Souring’s good too from local butchers and Manchteter’s best fishmongers, Out of the Blue down the road.
Offers run throughout the week and weekend include, Monday Kebab Fight- £5 Flatz Kebab’s from midday and every Friday between 5pm and 9pm will see Yadda Yadda Friday People’s Club (Y.Y.F.P.C) taking place at the bar, aimed at the after-work crowd. Fusing a food and drink offering a complimentary beer, cocktail or wine with each Flatz Kebab, with a specially curated line-up of DJs delivering sounds such as world music, Middle Eastern, afro, reggae, 1930’s swing and soul.
Electrik, 559 Wilbraham Rd, Manchester M21 0AE. 0161 881 3315.