A few weeks ago, Dogs n Dough broke our hearts a little. They announced they were to close.
But they weren’t to disappear for too long, their new look, Saloonville opened rather recently. And don’t worry, I’ll be going there at some point very soon. But in the intervening weeks, we discovered that we could still get our good food fix, because they have another site hidden away in the Heatons. Sneaky.
So my date and I headed over to Belding’s Diner and Bar for a nosey.
So yeah, there are no dogs on the menu (though they have had them occasionally as a special), but what they do have is American style diner food, done really well. And alongside the great food, there’s still that little bit of over-the-top DnD magic. But more on that when we get to dessert.
On the bar are a great number of gins (and rums and whiskies) some great craft beers, cocktails, and as you’d expect from a place that does breakfast all the way til 3pm, coffee, tea and plenty of soft options.
When it comes to food, we were sadly far too late for brunch – but given the delight on the kid’s faces who were dining next to us, we too may need pancakes at some point in the future – so for us it was the evening menu. Burgers, sandwiches, tacos, chilli, it’s a real diner-esque mix. One thing we had to go for was a remnant from the DnD menu, their boneless chicken wings.
Now really, these aren’t winds. Think more of a tender mini fillet, coated and fried. More meat, fewer bony bits, and all the flavour you need. The salt and pepper ‘wings’ with hoi sin sauce, are distinctly moreish, but for something a little more astringent, go for the Korean. A little sharp, a little spice, and gently stickily delicious.
Also, much as their DnD counterparts, they’re rather filling, so we somewhat regretted ordering two different kinds when our mains arrived.
Topic Thunder was the first of our burgers (yes I know they’re not really burgers, but I’m not arguing semantics). Brioche bun, soft, jerk chicken, and a fresh pineapple salsa. A little kick of heat, a good bite of fruit acidity, and a clean fresh finish.
Our second was admittedly, hard to beat. The Rachel is a little twist on a Reuben. House pastrami, crunchy slaw, pickles, Swiss cheese and thousand island dressing. I’m still dreaming about that pastrami. Buttery soft, lots of flavour, salty Swiss, then that crisp slaw. Oh it was good. And it was where had I been wearing a belt, I’d have loosened it and declared myself done.
My date however, had a little extra room and had her eye on the dessert menu – in particular the sundaes.
Here’s where that little DnD nod is louder than ever. Sure there’s no dessert pizza, but I’m not sure you need it, now when you have a Sweetshop Sundae.
Yes, that’s a packet of Haribo as a garnish. And let’s just look at the components.
Ice cream, check. Haribo, check. Whipped cream, check. Bubblegum sauce, also check. And of course, topped with hundreds and thousands.
Overall, it’s a great space, service is fabulous (we’d expect nothing less) and the food – it’s a little bit of the USA, in the Manchester suburbs. Now who fancies a tater tot, and steak and eggs brunch?
