Manc Munch
Reviewing lunch time food and evening dining in Manchester's city centre
Eat, The Arndale Centre
Sep 3rd
For the second day running I’ve been to Eat in The Arndale Centre.
I’ve had the same thing both times so there’s just one review. The first thing to say is that the food in there does generally look really fresh and tasty. The second thing to say is that it doesn’t really cater for your budget is not generous.
Anyway, I’ve had the crayfish noodle salad both days and its pretty tasty to be honest. Its tossed lightly in a satay sauce and has a freshness added by the inclusion of half a lime to squeeze over the top. Its not More >
SPAR – City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza
Aug 26th
As most of you that have read my reviews know, I am a great admirer of the meal deal from SPAR, this (sometimes expensive) convenience store is not normally my first choice for shopping establishments but since the City Tower chapter opened I have been converted (only at lunchtimes mind!). The meal deal they provide is a perfect lunchtime filler at the standard price of £3
My last review of SPAR was for a wrap, and while the wraps were my preferred choice when it came to the SPAR meal deal, I have been seduced by the slightly more healthy* option of More >
Panama Hatty’s, Brown Street, Manchester
Aug 25th
A number of us were kindly invited out by the company we work for, all paid for of course. My brain quickly flicked into review mode and as we could choose which eatery to go to, I managed to persuade the lads to opt for Panama Hatty’s. Having eaten there before and liking what I had, I decided to give it another go and inform the regular Manc Munch visitors of the experience.
We were seated in the restaurant which is coolly decked out with a Mexican theme but done with a bit of style and doesn’t come across as tacky. More >
Save Our Sandwich, Fountain Street, Manchester
Aug 17th
To be honest, I only went in because Stevo had suggested it a couple of times and I couldnt say no for a 3rd time…
I had a quick browse through the sandwich menu and opted for a chicken, bacon & spinach mayo ciabata. The price was ok, but the sandwich was pretty uninspiring - not especially tasty and nothing to get excited about.
The only redeeming factor was the excellent selection of snacks they sell to accompany the sandwiches. I had a bag of onion rings which I can never resist and they were delicious. I think it sums up my enjoyment More >
Franklins Deli, York Street, Manchester
Aug 17th
I drive past this spot just before I reach the office every morning and when at a loose end yesterday lunchtime, I decided to pop in.
A good selection of is available from Franklins including carvery style hot meats, jacket potatoes, as well as the more standard hot and cold sandwiches.
Looking at the boards behind the counter, I immediately spotted the club sandwich special – described as being triple decked and overfilled with bacon, chicken, tomatoes and egg mayonnaise.
It certainly was over stuffed! It was one of the most delicious sandwiches I have had in a long time. I was barely More >
Rice, Piccadilly Gardens
Aug 12th
Another late lunch and another decision to treat myself.
My lunch companion was Stevo again and as he was paying he made the decision – after a short walk from the office, we went to RICE
Being as we were having a late lunch (2.30pm), it was fairly quiet when we arrived – no queue, but lots of people still eating. I opted for the Nasi Goreng whilst Stevo had the Thai Green Curry with rice. The cost was £10.98 for the 2 (including our discount for having Piccadilly Partnership cards) and within 5 minutes we were walking back to the office with More >
Giovannis, New York Street, Manchester
Aug 4th
£4.90 for sandwich and can of pop
Well, Giovanni’s has done it again. In I walked with Stevo having no idea what I fancied. One quick look at the specials board provided the answer – a toasted steak, onion, mushroom and worcester sauce panini.
Y-U-M-M-Y
Seriously tasty, and I mean seriously. I would highly recommend this sandwich and Giovanni’s generally. I popped in again today on the off chance that this special was still going. It was. Yet again, it was lovely.
ALDI, Market Street
Aug 4th
Chicken Salad Sandwich 99p
There must have been an altruistic psychic making sandwiches on the factory line for Aldi this morning. Knowing that a purchase from their paltry sandwich selection usually leads me inexorably into a mental battle with suicidal impulses this humane telepath clearly lent a generous hand in the preparation of the unusually agreeable ingredients.
Normally with a cheap-ass ALDI chicken/ham/bacon/insert-meat-here sandwich there is an almost profound abundance of salty sandy dryness, to the near exclusion of filling and sauce. This experience of painful aridity, akin to chewing on a used sandal, is what usually triggers More >
Don Giovannis Restaurant, Oxford Street
Aug 3rd
Lasagne, garlic bread starter + drink £15
I’m beginning to suspect that I only like Italian food if it’s home cooked. And by that I mean cooked at my home. By me. Every Italian restaurant I go to seems to make a lame effort with their flavours. So in visiting Don Giovannis restaurant I thought I’d give them a chance and order a relatively infallibly classic from their lunch menu: the good old lasagne.
It was a birthday celebration and there were many of us out, so let me include the caveat that many people enjoyed their various meals and a More >
Pancho’s Burritos, Arndale Market, Manchester
Jul 24th
On numerous occasions recently I have found myself strolling round the Arndale Market, looking for something different to cure the onset of the early afternoon hunger pangs. I normally wander aimlessly, moving from stall to stall, hoping to find something to take my fancy and a part of the Market has been closed recently whilst they put in new stalls. This Friday I noticed it was open again and one of the new stalls caught my eye, “Pancho’s Burritos”, a tiny stall with a small menu, but it looked very promising, “go on then” I thought, “can’t be worse than More >