I took a friend to Soup Kitchen for lunch a couple of weeks ago. Except that he had just been made redundant and thought I was taking the mick, somewhat. So just to clarifiy, Soup Kitchen isnât run by the Salvation army, itâs a trendy canteen providing tasty hearty food to feed the creative minds of the Northern Quarter.
And owners Nicky Rybka-Goldsmith and Yvonne Goldsmith-Rybka have just had their website re-designed to include a virtual chalk board of the daily specials, which can also be emailed to you every morning for inspiration. Broadband has also just been installed for customers at Soup Kitchen, so I write this review for you, dear reader, as Iâm still eating.
The portions are so huge Iâm struggling with my bowl of chilli (£4.50). I was going to try the White bean and bacon soup (£3.45), but the couple in front of me went for the bowl of chilli and rice, with cheese on top and I caved in and ordered the same. This dish is rich and thick, using a good quality chunky beef mince that doesnât disintegrate when cooked - and thereâs absolutely loads of it.
Soup Kitchen has been on Spear Street for four years now and is always a busy bustling place, where everyone sits together on long wooden benches. The menu changes each day and includes loads of homemade soups, big hearty dishes and includes lots of vegetarian and vegan options.
The other dishes of the day (on Wednesday) were traditional Slovakian goulash (£4.95), penne with rocket and pesto (£4.50) and Irish cheddar and leek quiche (£3.25 or £4.75 with salad). Soups included the roast parsnip, pea and mint, carrot and coriander and tomato and basil. The last few times Iâve been here Iâve gone for quiche, which is always a different flavour, and a selection from the salad bar, which is delicious and highly recommended.
Chef Gareth Phillips has recently joined the outlet, creating what he calls âtraditional British with global twistsâ, while thereâs a new general manager Camilla, who wants to develop the venue as a more homely meeting place. She has already set up some special evenings, with an SK Wine and Dine evening coming up this Saturday (April 25), which is three sumptuous-sounding courses, along with selected wines, all for a very reasonable £22.50 per person. There is also a Kitsch Cocktail evening on Friday May 1, featuring Expresso Martinis, Hazelnut and Orange Daquiris and Dandelion Ice Teas.
Itâs a good job I donât work in the Northern Quarter, otherwise I may as well set up a standing order to the Soup Kitchen to pay for my lunch every day.
Soup Kitchen, 31-33 Spear Street, Manchester, M1 1DF
T: 0161 236 5100
W: www.soup-kitchen.co.uk