This Burton Road bar, an offshoot of Chorlton’s Elecktrik, has always had a more interesting food presence with a terrific Sunday roast and an eclectic small plate offering in the evenings. Lunch is different. Light bites such as the Shrimp/Crab served with Trove Sourdough and heartier mains, such as the Ox Cheek with its cherubic mounds of mash potato for a reasonable £8. Critics, notably the Guardian's Marina O'Loughlin, have been warm in their praise and the Manchester Food and Drink Awards had shortlisted it for restaurant of the year in 2015. It didn't win but chef Alex Shaw did in his category. A real triumph for a classic neighbourhood bar/restaurant.
That acclaimed Sunday roast is available in similar incarnations at sibling bar Elektrik, Chorlton and the owner Luke and Justin Unabombers' new project, Refuge at the Principal Hotel in the city centre. The Roast platter (picturedthere costs £39 for two people, or £17 for an individual roast with your choice of beef, pork, or chicken, £15 for vegetarian.
At Volta a similar sharing platter works out at £29 for two people, £58 for four; with individual roasts up to £11.50 a head.