The one where we confirm Tiki isn’t dead….
Ah summer. Time of muggy grey weather interspersed with sunshine, never knowing if you should pack a brolly or not, hayfever, ice creams, and new menus.
This week my date and I went in, not only for cocktails (and pizza), but also to ogle the new exhibition from artist Solar. It’s one of the best things about Ply – their support of local artists, and their exhibitions.
(As well as their cocktails, and pizza of course).
Changing the artwork on the wall, can really change the space, and these strong collage pieces from Solar, definitely do that. Some of them really remind me of the cheap paperback sci fi books my dad used to read. They were always dotted about the house – yellowed pages, and strong graphic images, faded as they were read and re-read.
And my date’s first cocktail from the new menu was perfectly matched to the mood of the artwork – particular colour wise.
The Pantone 311. Rum, blue, orange, mango, lime, fizz and art. Creamy, a little tart, and with a gently fizzy texture, it was not what we expected. In a good way.
My first, however, was perhaps our favourite of the whole menu. Talk about peaking early!
And it was surprising for me particularly, as it was a rum based beauty. Tiki Ain’t dead (It’s Just Been Sleepin’) mixes rum, pineapple butter, cherry, salt, porter and treacle, and it’s served with a little block of white chocolate fudge. Rich, heavy, it’s got a gentle fruity sweetness, and the fudge only serves to pull more of that away. Counter intuitive perhaps, but it really works. An excuse to head back all on it’s own.
My next was the complete opposite.
Boats On The Lake, is light, fresh and summery. Gin, apple, gentian and saline come together in a green, crisp, lightly astringent cocktail, with a round mouthfeel. It’s that sort of light elegant cocktail that you want to sip on a warm summer evening.
My dates second was the Return Of The… Which features Mack (Mackmyra Whisky), rosehip, ginger vermouth, walnut and candy. The whisky really comes through nicely in this, the walnut bringing a little balance.
Two cocktails in, we paused for some food. Almonds and olives are always on the menu for me, I think I’ve raved about them before. They’re just so, so good.
And we of course opted for pizza – splitting the spicy nduja pizza and the fruity pear and blue cheese (with pancetta because). Equilibrium restored and tummies no longer grumbling, we returned our attention to the cocktails.
I finished on a summery note, with the Fletcher Moss. This nod to Didsbury uses gin, lavender, vermouth, lemon, jasmine and a sprig. Early evening in a summer garden, with balanced florals and a hint of lavender from the sprig used to garnish the drink.
My date however went for the Coffee & T(ve) combining vodka, coffee, cereal, oat milk, stout and sugar.
This completely vegan cocktail, is somewhat reminiscent of an espresso Martini, but a little softer, and without the heavy sweetness. Of course, the doughnut makes up for the last bit, but if you’re not going to have one of Ply’s puddings, this is a great lighter (if boozier) alternative.
Overall, we’re loving the new menu, and as mentioned before, Tiki Ain’t Dead is reason enough to visit all on it’s own. Excuse me, while I go check my diary.
