We’ve been asking well known people with a strong connection to Manchester to tell us about their favourite places to eat and drink in and around the city. This week, it’s the turn of award-winning writer Reshma Ruia.
Reshma has a PhD and master’s in creative writing from Manchester University, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s from the London School of Economics. Her first novel, ‘Something Black in the Lentil Soup’ was described in The Sunday Timesas ‘a gem of straight-faced comedy.’ Reshma’s short stories and poetry have appeared in British and international journals and anthologies and commissioned for BBC Radio 4. Her debut poetry collection, ‘A Dinner Party in the Home Counties’ won the 2019 Word Masala Award. She has also written a short story collection ‘Mrs Pinto Drives to Happiness.’
Born in India, brought up in Italy and now living in England, her writing explores the preoccupations of those who possess a multiple sense of belonging. She is the co-founder of The Whole Kahani-a writers’ collective of British South Asian writers.
Here's what Reshma likes to eat when she’s in town.
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My favourite place to eat out in Manchester is…
This is a tough choice, there are so many. Jai Kathmandu is a cosy Nepalese restaurant in Northenden that is just right for a family meal on a Sunday night. Sai Spice in Chorlton does delicious South Indian dosas and for a hearty plate of Pugliese Italian pasta, you can’t go wrong with Sugo in Altrincham. I love Chinese food and the most authentic place to get dim sum without any frills is Glamorous in Ancoats. It’s above a Chinese supermarket, and the noise and bustle remind me of Hong Kong.
The best dish I’ve eaten in Manchester recently is…
Pan-roasted cauliflower and butterbean mash at Hispi in Didsbury
My favourite dining room in Manchester is…
The Ivy in Spinningfields. It has a retro, grown-up glamorous feel to it and has an Asian section as well as a Brasserie, so all taste buds are catered for.
My favourite lunch spot in Manchester is…
The beautiful glass café in Whitworth Gallery, overlooking Whitworth Park, or Dishoom for its delicious keema pau or lamb chops. Altrincham Market is fun on a Saturday afternoon; you can mooch around the various stalls and eat Korean fried chicken burger. Afterwards you can stroll down to Rhode Island Coffee for award winning lattes and cappuccinos.
If I had to eat only one thing for the rest of my days, it would be…
Chicken biryani with raita and a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
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Reshma Ruia's collection of short stories Mrs Pinto Drives to Happiness, published by Dahlia Books, is out now. Reshma's new novel, Still Lives, will be published by Renard Press in June 2022. Follow @Reshmaruia on Twitter and visit her website.
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Also read: TASTING NOTES - ANNA JAMESON, PRESENTER AND REPORTER ON BBC RADIO