Lisa Higginson
Crunchbowl is the new kid on the Brazennose block. Arriving in all its bright green glory amid splashes of shiny chrome, this contemporary salad and wrap bar has risen from the ashes of a former office to bring an alternative lunch option to the white-collared crew that embarks on this leafy street at the strike of 12.
Crunchbowlâs concept, I am told by the people behind it, is common in the capital where city workers seek healthy lunch options that are prepared at pace but donât compromise on quality or taste. Metal flooring, flushes of lime green furniture and large windows give Crunchbowl an air of freshness and you feel healthier for even just walking through the doors. Friendly staff are eagerly poised behind the glass counter to make your order up in front of you and there seems to be a good service system in place for those in a hurry.
On the extensive menu, there is a selection of House Salads - which include Chicken Caesar, Tuna nicoise, Couscous and roasted vegetables - as well as a selection of House Wraps such as Peri Peri chicken, Burrito and Roast duck with hoi sin sauce. But if you donât fancy any of the suggested combinations, you can play chef and create your own tasty salad or wrap from the array of fresh ingredients, which are supplied locally where possible.
The Roasted garlic vegetable and halloumi house wrap (£3.00) was a delicious choice packed full of filling and flavour. Given the option of different flavoured wraps, I went for a tomato variety to house the tasty heap of courgettes, peppers, onions and sundried tomatos, which were accompanied by a smear of zingy houmus and squares of salty halloumi. Across the table, chunks of chicken breast, crispy bacon and crunchy croutons mounted a pile of fresh lettuce that arrived in a heaped container of Chicken Caesar salad (£3.75sm/£4.25reg). Smothered in creamy dressing and finished with parmesan, this was a salad that even Caesar Cardini himself wouldnât have sniffed at - although he might have had something to say about the florets of raw broccoli that were added as an unusual twist.
Crunchbowl also offers a range of homemade soups, with two different choices each day, including Italian pancetta and tomato, Sweet red pepper and coriander and Farmhouse broth (£2.25sm/£2.75reg). The Thai chicken soup was triumphant; perfectly coconutty, subtly spicy and beautifully fragrant, this was actually worthy of a place on any reputable Thai restaurant menu. Coffees, teas and upmarket soft drinks are also served here and if you need a breakfast fix then take your pick of granola pots, fruit salads, porridge and pastries (80p - £2).
While the Brazennose strip is already home to a number of good daytime eateries, there is surely room for one more â especially one that can deliver fresh food fast and still focus on flavour. Cue Crunchbowl.
Crunchbowl, 29 Brazennose Street, Manchester, M2 5BP
T: 0161 8390 547
W: www.crunchbowl.co.uk