For those looking for something different this week in Manchester, there’s a new restaurant in town, aiming to bring a touch of Modern Victorian to the Northern Quarter.
Fress (deriving from the Yiddish word to eat ravenously or in large quantity) Restaurant and Bar is the brainchild of Jennifer Hargreaves and Sam Morgan, formerly Albert’s in Worsley and 1847 restaurant respectively. The pair has clear pedigree in the Manchester restaurant scene and it clearly shows from the strong décor to the simple yet elegant menu.
Fress Restaurant and Bar is situated on 62 Oldham street, a few doors down from one my many favourite places to drink, The Castle Pub. In a matter of weeks, the team at Fress have turned an old, run-down newsagents into an elegant, modern Victorian style brassiere.
Fitted with floor to ceiling tiles, fantastic patterned floors and gold flourishes throughout, Fress is a welcome breath of fresh air from the stripped-back industrial chic aesthetic seen across Manchester over the last five years. Fress is worth the trip on décor alone.
Food at Fress Restaurant
The first dish we tried, the Avacado Hummus starter, was fantastic. The hummus included pomegranate molasses and whole chickpeas, served with seeded homemade pitas. At only £6, there’s no excuse not to try it when you visit.
Another accomplished dish that I highly recommend is the Grilled Halloumi, always a firm favourite with me. Unlike other places that serve similar dishes, such as the Chorlton Green Brasserie, the halloumi wasn’t battered, but rather marinated in honey and served with an accompaniment of baba ghanoush. Sweet to the taste with great contrasting textures, I loved this dish. I will be ordering again ☺.
A more unusual item on the menu was the Beetroot and Chilli Spatzle. The Spatzle included Gorgonzola, crunchy toasted walnuts, served with an onion and stout chutney. Topped off with edible flowers, this summer’s biggest food trend, this hearty dish is packed full of strong, punchy flavours.
Drinks at Fress Restaurant
For those looking for night-time drinks, Fress offers a great cocktail menu, all priced at £7.50 or less. Of the few we tried, my recommendation would be the Fresh Punch and the Midori Melon Sour – guaranteed to please cocktail fans.
To go with your drinks I’d recommend trying a few of the bar snacks on offer, including Pardron Peppers, marinated olives and skin on fries.
Fress Restaurant is also open for Breakfast and Brunch daily from 8 am including a full veggie breakfast and brunch staple of avocado on sourdough toast. I’ll be checking out the breakfast options in more detail later in the year.
If you’re looking for a restaurant with a difference then I urge you to check out Fress the next time you’re in the area. I am very much looking forward to my next visit.
Fress Restaurant and Bar
62 Oldham St, Manchester M4 1LE
Monday to Thursday: 8am-10pm
Friday to Saturday: 8am-11pm
Sunday: 8am-9pm
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