I’ve been to Black Dog Bowl a fair few times, I’ve even visited Black Dog Ballroom in the Northern Quarter (generally very late, relatively, erm, tipsy and usually resulting in a taxi trip home at sunrise), but there has always been one missing. New Wakefield Street.
I could excuse this through lack of opportunity, or my diary, or whatever, but actually I’ve always been put off a little bit due to one little issue.
Students.
Now, before everyone gets all annoyed on behalf of students, there is reason for this. I work on the University campus. I have looked after students of various Schools and Faculties for around 12 years. And it can sometimes be a little awkward bumping into someone out of context. But now that I’ve visited….
I don’t think I’m going to worry any more.
Keeley and I once again teamed up for a dining experience and headed to Black Dog following a gin tasting session, so we were well in need of sustenance.
And more gin. In fact this was a little after the Hunters Gin tasting and guess what I spotted behind the bar? Yes, that familiar green bottle. So that was my drink decided on. Keeley on the other hand opted for a glass of Prosecco – at £4.60 a glass, excellent value.
In fact, that became a theme throughout the evening. The whole place is stonking value for money. We opted for a platter to start, at £8.95 and it was huge!
Chilli covered nachos with cheese, chicken wings, chilli marinaded steak, onion rings that wouldn’t have been out of place on my wrist, lovely spiced guacamole, salsa and soured cream.
And what’s worse (better?), is it’s moreish. So much so, that we had to get someone to come and take it from us before we ate the entire thing and left no room for our mains.
I tried very hard to avoid a tug of war over the nachos.
For the mains, we went in very different directions.
Keeley was swayed by the pulled pork on a brioche bun, whereas I took the advice of the very lovely lady who served us, and went with the roasted vegetable and goats cheese wrap. It was her favourite thing on the menu. And I can see why.
Keeley’s special was again on the large side, the spicy sweet soft pork encased in a rich brioche bun and a good helping of fries.
My own wrap was just gorgeous – sweet roasted peppers, rich creamy goasts cheese, peppery, rocket, this may have been smaller than Keeley’s sandwich, but when it came to flavour, it packed a punch. I couldn’t have been happier – especially as the sweet potato fries that it came with were just as gorgeous.
I cannot tell you how sad I was to leave some of those fries. But I had run out of room. And as for dessert…? Not a chance.
So, would I go back? In a heartbeat. Aside from the great, music, atmosphere pool tables (more for Mr GFB than me), the food is great value and the staff are downright lovely.
And one of these days, I might actually make it to dessert.
This meal was paid for by the venue. As ever, this doesn’t guarantee a positive reaction (if anything, I tend to be a harsher critic). In this case, I’m very very happy to write a positive review as the service, food and drink and venue were excellent.