As we moved into April, it was time once again for the 7WWR dinner and one of my favourite haunts, The Angel, agreed to host it for us.
The Angel is a pub based in the Northern Quarter well known for it’s independent beers and ciders (so obviously Mr GFB is also a fan), as well as it’s fantastic restaurant upstairs. Knowing that we would be well looked after, I could concentrate on choosing my wine.
This month my hostess duties were somewhat hampered by both a cold, meaning my palate was a bit off and my voice had gone peculiar making me sound like a combination of Joe Pasquale, Mariella Frostrup and myself on helium. Thankfully I knew that I could lean on several attendees for their own host/essing skills – including Laura (Unofficial 7WWR Manchester deputy), Gordon and Ben from Hanging Ditch.
We arrived upstairs to find fires warming the room and little cryptic menus on each table. Dying to find out what we were having, but trying to sit on my hands and keep it a surprise, I busied myself with chiling the white wines, opening the reds and greeting everyone as they arrived.
As the guests and wines made an appearance, it was clear we had a fully mixed lot – fizz, crisp whites, rich reds and intriguing looking dessert wines.
Beginning appropriately with something pink and fizzy from Andy, I introduced the evening and handed over to G and Laura, trying to conserve my voice. Drinks flowed and the first course arrived.
Described as ‘Breakfast’ this was a crispy egg, on a bed of rich mushrooms, and a beautifully crispy rasher of bacon. The egg was perfectly cooked – crisp on the outside, soft runny yolk on the inside and that rasher of salty crispy bacon… I have to thank Dave for the picture above as I ate mine far too quickly.
Accompanying the first course were a variety of whites, and given my damaged palate, this did make things difficult for me. However, the Domaine Felines-Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet 2011 with it’s crisp zestiness made it through, it’s touch of honey was rather soothing.
After our starters, we received a stunning little amuse – tomato water, basil foam, Parmesan and crisp basil leaf. A perfect way to cleanse the palate after quite a rich starter, the flavours were fresh, clean and it was all I could do to stop myself asking for another one. Well I was poorly. I needed my vitamins…
Our mains arrived and the description of chicken and sweetcorn simply didn’t do it justice. Crisp skin, tender chicken, buttery potato with a parcel of bacon and cabbage and a sweetcorn sauce. This was comfort food, but on a refined level – offering this poorly lady much needed warmth and sustenance, but with elegance. Once again, thanks to Dave, as I ate too quickly for photos.
One of our further whites proved tantalising and tasty, the contribution of the stylish Susan – a Weingut Hetlinger Summer Breeze from Carringtons. I love a good German white and this was grassy clean and delicious.
Before we moved onto dessert, we had some more wines to make our way through – having been far too distracted by eating to make much headway. Other standouts of the evening were the Mirambelo 2010 – a lovely little Cretan number from Oddbins and the Sensi Vin Santo del Chianti.
With dessert Ken and his team thoroughly spoilt us. Taking my ultimate favourite dish – cheesecake – and adding my ultimate favourite flavour – ginger. I was in heaven. And it was a perfect foil for my own contribution, a plum infused sake – Akashi-Tai Shiraume Umeshu. Without the dessert this is sweet, delicate and doesn’t linger. Add the cheesecake and it stays on the palate, playing with the ginger in the most delicious way. I was thrilled with my choice and can only thank Hanging Ditch for the lengths they went to to get it for me.
All in all, an excellent batch of wines and some fantastic food. How lucky am I that I get to do this?
To the guests, thankyou for bringing such a wealth of wine and company. To the Angel, thank you once again and we’ll see you again in the Autumn.
A great review, it takes me back! It was a great night, wine’s were plentyful and the food was devine! Can’t wait for the next one.