Northwest Food News – November 2013

Street food goes indoors, absinthe makes a comeback, and a couple of bartenders done good

Feature by Jamie Faulkner | 28 Oct 2013

November has come around again, as it tends to at this time of year. Stoptober's nicotine patches give way to Movember's questionable facial hair, and everyone starts filling out their annual Northwest Food and Drink Survey. They don't, you say? Well, they really oughtta. You can do yours over at tinyurl.com/foodsurveyNWPlug unabashedly out of the way, let's get down to bizniz.

Breaking Bad has finished, leaving a giant, Albuquerque-shaped hole in all our hearts. Thank the Lord, then, for Liverpool export Lucha Libre's (that's a lotta l's) new Manchester venture, serving up the finest in Mexican street food. And if you thought that was a blatant non sequitur, consider this: Albuquerque is not that far from the Mexican border, and we're pretty sure they've got Mexican food there. Link explained, we're expecting a wave of Instagrammed Pil Bil Tacos and Baja Fish Burritos from everyone's new favourite place. @LuchaManchesterlucha-libre.co.uk.

For our next topical reference, if Miley Cyrus's left butt-cheek is the definition of over-exposed, then Some Place is its polar opposite. It's the boozy brainchild of the guys who brought you what is now Liverpool's second most reclusive cocktail bar, Berry & Rye. 'Your Green Fairy-Tale Starts Here' is the motto, the green in question being absinthe. They've got a dedicated absinthe fountain so you can drink it proper-like, bask in the room's emerald glow, and imagine you're Baudelaire. Ponce! @Some_Place_some-place.co.uk.

Back to Manchester, and the chain-magnet that is King Street has attracted some independent and young-ish blood in the form of The Liquorists' pop-up Reserve. A spirits-shop-cum-tasting bar, it's a collab between Manchester's best-surnamed bar consultants, Jody Monteith and Tom Sneesby, and drinks brand behemoth Diageo. Expect a lot of not-so-subtle product placement in the form of expertly mixed cocktails and Masterclass evenings on the likes of Ron Zacapa rum and Don Julio tequila. @KingStReservetheliquorists.com/reserve.

Getting hold of a decent shawarma has never been a problem for Mancs, what with the thriving Middle Eastern scene down Rusholme way. But in Liverpool, that hasn't been the case – until now. Cue Bakchich on Bold Street, whose aim it is to educate us all about Arabic food culture by providing an impressive array of Lebanese street food. If there were restaurant awards for most punning taglines, their 'The Best Route to Beirut' would be a sure-fire winner. @Bakchich_Boldstbakchich.co.uk.

 

Any events you think we should know about? Email our Food and Drink editor at jamie.faulkner@theskinny.co.uk