Proof Chorlton: Liquid Brunch

It’s Saturday night.

Drinks are flowing, as is the chatter.

More drinks lead to dancing.

Dancing leads to a late night trip to the kebab shop. And chilli. Lots of chilli.

And then there’s Sunday.

You wake, make up smudged across the pillow, contact lenses still in and your clothes strewn in a trail from the front door to the bedroom. Or maybe that’s just me?

You down water, painkillers and shower. Your reflection tells you something more is needed. You need a hair of the dog.

And this is the moment where you need to head to Proof in Chorlton. Where kill or cure (ok I lie, it’s all cure) is on offer.

Their new food and drink menu is the thing hangovers were made for. And to investigate Mr GFB and I took our own (admittedly mild) hangovers for an invited visit at the weekend; joining Good Gobble and Manchester Foodies. Good manners will see me not comment on their own hangover (or hangover free) statuses.

We kicked off with a cocktail each. I headed for the Holy Guacamole – a margarita style drink with chilli and avocado. Whereas Mr GFB’s adventurous side kicked in, with a Morning Star Chelada – Estrella Damm lager, and spiced Clamato juice (tomato juice, herbs and spices and clam broth).

The Morning Star is savoury, spicy and beery – the same sort of flavours you expect from a Bloody Mary, but beer rather than a spirit means it’s a touch less punchy and the clam broth gives it a rich savoury taste.

And the Holy Guacamole? That has me written all over it. Creamy, with a warm tickle from the chilli, a sweetness from the agave and still the smoke from the tequila. I’ll have another thank you….

 

 

To get your tummies going, Proof have fresh bagels on offer – Mr GFB opted for the Carnivore – dry cured bacon and sun-blushed tomatoes and rocket. I can tell you that he did not share with me. At all. Not even a sniff of the bacon. The nod and half closed eyes I saw across the table, however, tell me it was a very fine thing.

I opted for the Piscivore with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Good soft bagels, warmed so you get that crisp outside, chewy inside going on, creamy peppered cheese and good smoked salmon – and I mean good. None of that neon orange stuff here. Just comfort food of the classy variety.

 

 

Speaking of class, they offer fizz options too – Prosecco, Mimosas or Champagne and Fruit Coupe. Perfect for sunny brunch times when you can hide behind your big sunglasses and look elegant. Unfortunately our visit was timed on a grey and wet Sunday afternoon. Nowhere to hide for my under-eye luggage.

If you’re adventurous with your hangover, then oysters are your other port of call. Served with salsa, lemon and Tabasco, if these little salty morsels don’t wake your tastebuds up after a night of excess, nothing will. Though I’d probably suggest waiting til the worst of your hangover has dissipated.

 

 

Tummies revitalised and heads a little less dull, we could kick things up a gear with pure refreshment. The Bright and Breezy is as it says – a good kick of citrus vodka, with blood orange and grapefruit juice will cleanse that furry feeling from your eyeballs and it’s full of vitamin C, so it’s healthy, right?

 

 

As is the Brunch Martini – Chase Marmalade vodka, muddled grapes, lemon and marmalade – sweet, sharp and fruity, a real palate cleanser. And it’s got fruit in it. See, healthy.

So next time that hangover hits, or if you’re just looking for an excuse to sit in the sunshine and drink bubbles, I have the perfect destination for you…