Sunday lunches are a great way to end the week – and make sure you get your five a day in one gravy-soaked hit. It’s comforting, delicious and uniquely British. But, forgive me…sometimes it can be a bit…samey. There are times when we want to keep things traditional, but sometimes we need to shake things up a bit.
That’s where NAM in Ancoats comes in. Since the self-styled Audiophile Bar and Kitchen launched in 2017, it’s gained a reputation for quality food and cocktails in a chilled-out environment. Its relaxed downstairs bar hosts a mega line-up of DJs as part of their eclectic curation of basement sessions Thursdays - Saturdays.
Head in between 4pm-7pm Monday to Friday to get two cocktails for £15 during happy hour. Their spring cocktail menu features twelve cocktails that will take you on a journey through the flavours of Vietnam with ingredients including coconut rum, kumquat liqueur, chilli liqueur, plus fruity pineapple, mango and lychee with punchy packs of ginger, lemongrass, lime and coriander.
They’re also doing a buzzing trade on Sundays in the upstairs restaurant thanks to their unique Vietnamese twist on Britain’s favourite meal. They’ve taken all the incredible flavours of Vietnam and the classic elements of a Sunday Roast and voila…NAM’s Sunday Dinner menu.
Their Sunday Dinner features a choice of five-spice and soy braised tofu (£14), half roast chicken with Nam’s signature house rub, or crispy skin char sui pork belly (£16.) Portions are extremely generous – we must have been mad even considering getting a couple of small plates to start with.
You can order sticky rice instead of crispy roast potatoes – but if you ask really nicely and you don’t have a problem with double carbs, they’ll probably let you have a bit of both. Goi salad adds a lovely crunch and you also get stir-fried Asian greens with shimeji mushrooms and spiced sweet potato mash (‘spiced’ as in tasty rather than hot.)
A savoury Vietnamese doughnut takes the place of the traditional Yorkshire pudding which is absolutely perfect for ripping and dipping into NAM’s gravy – and this is where the magic lies. The base for NAM’s gravy is their signature pho broth which makes it richer and more fragrant than your regular Bisto offering.
The menu is available exclusively from 12pm all-day every Sunday alongside their regular menu of small Asian plates and large hangover-defying bowls of pho.
NAM is open every day of the week, Sunday to Thursday from 12pm-11pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm-12am.
Follow them on Instagram @nammcr
Nam Manchester, 33 Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AJ
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