NAM, it sounds like another Vietnamese roll-out. Think Pho, national soup but also the name of a chain (a ToM fast food fave as it happens). Not the case here in this low-level arrival in Blossom Stree. Nam is the name of the owner and his new bar is not just about his native Viet staples; a basement mega sound system and eminent DJ rota defines the place as a self-styled ‘audiophile’s haunt’.
The big Ancoats gaze is on the sophomore Sugo, still flying the flag for Puglian pasta, or Canto (El Gato goes Portuguese) scheduled to open across Cutting Room Square in September, or Mana, imminent Noma-influenced £100 tasting menus form Rene Redzepi protege.
So our bargain £5.50 lunchtime special (above) of a small pho, half a bahn-mi (aromatic beef filled baguette), prawn crackers and half of the rather lovely Nam house pils feels a bit under the radar – just like the place itself, which you could easily miss ambling between Seven Brot7ers and Elnecot.
Nam has worked at bars across the city, but this place is unlike any other. A place for salads, less chilli-hot than their Thai counterparts, gloriously fresh summer and spring rolls and, of course, that pho made from an authentic bone stock. All at very reasonable prices. A little gem.
Nam, 33 Blossom St, Manchester M4 6AJ. Check out the music lined up at http://nammcr.com
