Now that I’m based back in West Yorkshire, Manchester is
only a half hour train ride away, rather than a two-hour trek. Exhausting all the
restaurant options in York really made me feel like it was time to be moving on
and Manchester, with its seemingly endless eatery options really gets me
excited. I get the sense that the city cares about its food; Simon Rogan's The French narrowly missed out on a Michelin star this year but has raised the bar pretty high, and there's enough money knocking about to warrant some pretty good cocktail
bars. If I had the money I know where I’d spend it. But I don’t have the money.
And as for drinks, the 10.30 curfew of the last-train-home doesn’t really give
me the option for a night on the tiles, nor am I an afternoon cocktail person.
Take a look in the ready meal aisle of any supermarket and
you’ll see just how much Man vs. Food has affected the way we eat. I remember a
time when the “American” section in Sainsbury’s boasted a few fajita kits,
loaded potato skins and spicy chicken wings. Tex-Mex however, has finally
given way to “genuine Mex”, with burritos and quesadillas popping up regularly
in high street chains and though I still have to buy my ancho chillies online,
some supermarkets have started to stock a little more than sachets of taco
seasoning. Drooling over philly cheese steaks dipped in beef juice or groaning
at the thought of a Ruben sandwich has also become more of a reality this past
year. I’ve been given the nickname “burger freak” by my mum recently, as
whenever she gets a text from me, I’m telling her about some new patty I’m
trying. I find it difficult to tear myself away from Gourmet Burger Kitchen and
their blue cheese and bacon burger at the best of times, but having spotted a
friend on Facebook eating out at a restaurant that had “barbecue” in its name;
it felt like a day trip was in order.
