You may remember a little trip myself and one or two friends made to 22 Redbank for the #mEAT tasting menu, part of the Manchester Food and Drink Festival.
This weekend – finally – was the evening itself. Presented as ‘A Celebration of Everything Not Suitable for Vegetarians’, I think it’s safe to say that every diner there would heartily agree. I have been exceptionally lucky and able to watch the menu develop – from the porkfiteroles through to the deep fried bone marrow. The Drunken Butcher knows his meat and his booze (and has a fantastic team) and it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch.
Massive highlights were the chilli and soy pork cheeks – excellent both in the taster menu and on the night itself – you could tell by closed eyes, pleasured moans and sighs of happiness.
Onto the platters, sitting downstairs on our tables, teasing us with the generosity. Piles of fresh crusty bread, blocks of butter, little jars of preserves (including the bacon confiture) then the meat -juicy pastrami, bourbon and marmalade glazed ham and a country terrine I’d seen Iain putting together the day before.
The sweetbreads were back in the ‘Baa Baa Barbeque’ starter – even better than the first time around. Tender, rich, creamy in a crispy batter – I was a very happy lady; especially as my favourite cocktail of the evening, ‘The Draque in Thyme’ was served with it. Strong, cool, refreshing, cutting through the fatty lamb perfectly.
The deep fried bone marrow was back and it was bigger than ever. Biting into crisp breadcrumb and that buttery rich intense beef flavour in your mouth. Heavenly. Served with the best roast potatoes ever – and I’ve always been proud of mine – and a cheek ravioli that was beautiful.
Let it be said though, this menu was not for the fainthearted. You needed to go with an appetite for both meat and drink in big portions – I have a very healthy appetite and made the mistake of eating too much bread. Trust me, don’t. Save the space in your tummy for the meat.
Next project for Iain and the Liquorists is ‘Nasty bits’ – more mEATy goodness in time for Halloween. Can’t wait…
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