| In 1986, the Pet Shop Boys
painted a pretty grey picture of life in suburbia. Aside from scrawling
on bus stops and running with dogs - an urban version of dancing with wolves
- the outskirts of the sprawling metropolis offered little in the way of
evening entertainment. With the animal-loving duo almost calling it a day,
things have taken a definite turn for the better both in the charts and
the leafy parts of Manchester. The city centre invasion continues apace
with yet more new apartments being built in Castlefield and on the corner
of Oxford Street and Whitworth Street West. But these supposedly sophisticated
professionals seem increasingly inclined to lock themselves up in their
domestic units between the hours of 6pm and 8am, tasting little of the
delights on offer. As rents soar higher than Man United profits, businesses
are finding themselves squeezed; an economic phenomenon ensuring only the
survival of the fattest. Big chain bars and run-of-the-mill restaurants
are beginning to clog the arteries of Manchester's otherwise healthy food
and drink scene, with the independents invariably getting a smaller slice
of the cake. It's refreshing, then, to witness the East End boys and West
End girls of Didsbury, the emerging Heatons Moor and Mersey and hardy perennial
Chorlton all benefiting from this disenchantment with centralisation. Chorlton
in particular has been developing at an exponential rate of late with new
bars opening or emerging from the failed ashes of past ventures. Chorltonites
rarely need to travel away from the area to satisfy their appetites and
Beech Road is without doubt the daddy of this social scene. You can do
just about everything on this Balearic boulevard; buy clothes, get them
washed and, naturally, eat and drink. Grub on the go comes from a rather
good chippy and excellent bakers, while drinkers can find solace in The
'Famous' Trevor and Beech pubs. Cafe society is catered for by The Lead
Station and newcomer The Nose, while those looking for something more formal
can opt for Spice or Primavera.
PRIMAVERA
Established over ten years
ago, Primavera has seen the road morph into what it is today, but has stood
the test of time thanks to a reputation second to none among locals. A
change of hands at the helm in January has done nothing to dent this loyal
following and on our visit it was clear why. From the moment you walk in
you are made to feel at case, with little fuss made on arrival and the
offer of a choice of table - (expecting to be perched on an available table
for two we were ushered to a secluded spot made-up for four, a refreshing
change on a Friday night). The softly-lit walls were adorned with a variety
of original artworks while music perfectly submerged conversation. The
main menu changes every few months or so but we were more than happy with
our timing, ordering strips Of Thai beef served with noodles and a warm
potato and chorizo salad to begin. A crisp Fume Blanc from California's
Napa Valley proved a good choice from an extensive selection and sat nicely
with our startcrs. The chilli beef was plentiful and beauifully tender
while most praise ad to be reserved for the chorizo - rustic chunks perfectly
grilled. A main of duck breast served on spicy cons cons with an intriguuing
curry vinaigrette had my partner in two minds; humbled by the swathes of
tasty, pink breast but slightly bemused by the curry concoction. Chargrilled
seabass, meanwhile, with pesto and olive tapenade with rice was a light
and more subtle dish, the fish flaky and flavoursome. Accompanied by generous
side orders of broccoli and mangetout, it was extremely satisfying. Being
two growing lads, though, we managed to force down an exceptional vanilla
and raisin cheesecake and a clean, classic lemon tart. The works, with
two bottles of good wine, came to around £75 and was well worth it.
Even more reason then to check their special menu (available all evening
Sunday to Thursday, 6pm to 7pm, Friday and Saturday) where you can bag
three courses for a bargain £14.95. it's a sin, as Messrs Tennant
and Lowe might have said, to miss it.
address is Beech Road,
Chorlton, Sun to Thu 6 to 10 pm, Fri and Sat 6 to 11 pm. Tel. 0161 862
9934 |