I find it can be difficult to balance good food with healthy eating sometimes. I do like stodgy food but am increasingly finding that it leaves me feeling rather lethargic afterwards. The Counter House aims to serve healthy comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so I was excited when I was invited to their launch as I got to try 5 dishes! Knowing that they had vegan options, I took my friend Lacey with me.
(AD: This meal was provided for free)
Friska is an establishment in Bristol where the first branch was opened back in 2009. Since then they have slowly expanded and they are moving north! Their Manchester concession is located inside Bright Building at Manchester Science Park, a stone’s through from the University of Manchester South Campus and not too far from the hospitals. I was invited to the building launch so here I will tell you about Friska’s food!*
What I love about living in Manchester is the fact you have a mixture of fine dining and independent cafes in one city. The Northern Quarter is particularly home to the latter, housing small businesses in Afflecks Palace as well as niche shops and cafes. One such is Nibble, a small cafe located on Oldham Street run by the lovely Lauren Irlam, who has previously managed Northern Quarter’s famous Teacup and the Railway Kitchen and Bar. This is her first venture and the cafe is born from her love of good quality food without the fuss. I take my friend and fellow blogger, Lacey, to the cafe to explore one sunny Manchester day!*
I was meeting friends for brunch in Manchester and they asked me to pick a place to eat, the only caveat was that it must serve eggs benedict. We decided to try out The Pen and Pencil as I’ve heard good things about their brunches and my friends also found the menu acceptable. We went one Saturday at around 10:30am.
The Bill’s Backyard Party was a Yelp event and was supposed to take place in the outside area, but unfortunately, the sun had disappeared by the time evening approached. Fret not! Bill’s had a plan and we were shown to one side of the restaurant next to the backyard part. At least it was still bright and pleasant!*
I was first introduced to Bill’s Restaurant years ago by a friend who was looking for good places to eat breakfast in London. The breakfast impressed me at the time, so when I went back to visit London recently, this was a no-brainer, plus it was close to where we were staying! Less thinking, more eating! This review is of the Holborn branch in London.
It’s worth noting that Bill’s Restaurant has now expanded to Manchester and can be found just off Deansgate and inside the intu Trafford Centre. The menus are similar across all Bill’s chains.
