Following a huge £3.5m refit, The Albert Square Chop House opened last week in the Grade-II listed Memorial Hall building across Manchesterâs civic square from the Town Hall.
The three story building is the latest addition to the Manchester-owned Victorian Chop House Company which operates Samâs and Mr Thomasâs Chop Houses in the city alongside a sister operation Samâs Chop House in Leeds.
The Venetian Gothic-style building, which dates from 1866, has been transformed into a dining pub, an 80-cover restaurant, a private dining boardroom and a function room. A boutique hotel is also planned on the upper floors.
Traditional British Food
Serving traditional British dishes, the Albert Square Chop House menu features a full range of chops and steaks from the grill and specialities including loin of venison, roasted Loch Fyne salmon, poached Goosnargh chicken and homity pie prepared with Mrs Kirkhamâs Lancashire cheese â not forgetting their famous steak and kidney pudding. Desserts include traditional favourites including ginger parkin, marmalade sponge pudding and warm chocolate soup.
Project business partner Roger Ward said: âWe are excited at the prospect of giving the city centreâs finest historic square a high-quality dining and drinking destination. The restaurant will deliver the best of British hospitality, classic British food with a modern twist, local cast ales and an exceptional wine selection.â
The Victorian Chop House Company includes Mr Thomasâs and Samâs Chop Houses in Manchester and Samâs Chop House in Leeds. The artist LS Lowry was a regular customer at Samâs in Manchester in the 1960s and 1970s and the buildings which the group typically use are historic.
Mr Thomasâs Chop House, for example, dates from 1867, Samâs Chop House from 1872. The Memorial Hall, home to the new Albert Chop house is regarded as one of the finest examples of Venetian Gothic Revival architecture in the country, built by the architect Thomas Worthington between 1863 and 1866. The building pre-dates both the Town Hall and Albert Square itself and, over the years, has housed Sir Charles Halleâs Choir, the Kardomah Coffee House, the Square Albert pub and Consortâs nightclub.
The Albert Square Chop House, 14 Albert Square, M2 5PF. Tel: 0161 834 1866,www.albertsquarechophouse.com