I love the idea of a community having it’s own little hub, a little space, a bar or restaurant, that becomes a home from home.
Whether it’s the place you and your mates go straight after work, the pub down the road you meet in after dinner, or the cafe for Sunday breakfast (when nothing but a bacon butty or full English will do), there’s a place that almost becomes a home from home.
In Ancoats, that place is Vivid Lounge. A cafe cum bar at the corner of a block of flats, it benefits from views of the Islington Canal (and perhaps less prettily, Great Ancoats Street). Tables and chairs outside beckon you to make the most of any good weather, infinitely not eh case this summer.
As Keeley and I wandered up from Piccadilly for dinner, we walked in to a hubbub of noise and activity, and something you can’t buy, a genuine warm welcome.
The cafe is open from breakfast into the night and the menu is a mixture of English and Thai. English style specials for breakfast, a mixture of soup and sandwiches, and Thai dishes for lunch, cakes and biscuits to enjoy with your cup of tea. But the evening is where it shines a little more – a completely Thai menu for your delectation, where booking is recommended (and unsurpringly so).
While we chatted and looked at the menu, it became clear that my earlier workout session and lack of sustenance afterwards was taking it’s toll. I couldn’t choose. Thai sour sausage? Pork skewers? Shrimp rice and sweet pork? Too many choices for my poor food starved brain. While I attempted to discover if wine on top of such a workout was a good idea, Keeley wandered over to the counter to make decisions for me.
It would be a surprise.
And it was a very pleasant one. Three thick, spring rolls appeared stuffed full of vegetables and shiitake mushrooms, served with a home made chilli dip that was so good, I ate the vegetable garnish by dunking them in it.
We shared a plate of perfectly done edamame (they’re addictive, not quite as addictive as the ones I’ve had in the Cellar Key, but darned close), and Keeley sampled the Thai fishcakes, which were fantastic, the right texture, the right flavour, nothing like the over processed, dense, slabs of fish I’ve encountered before, and again served with the dip that she too dunked all the garnish vegetables into. I may need the recipe for that, please (pretty please).
Flavours flooded over my tongue, spiked my tastebuds, sugars rushed into my bloodstream.
And I was back in the room.
Mains too were a surprise and we had gone for what could be considered two safe choices, but here’s where I’d disagree.
Pad Thai for me is hangover food, carbohydrate fuel, comfort in a bowl with noodles. The number of times I’ve experienced the poorer version with cheap noodles that are stuck together, overcooked rubbery chicken, and vegetables that should be crisp and full of flavour, instead a mass over over-wet mush at the bottom of a bowl, are sadly too numerous to count.
This was perfect, and when it comes to noodles, I do not use that term lightly. Crisp bean sprouts and shredded spring onions, fat tender prawns, thick comforting noodles and to make it even better, I could add my own crushed chillies and peanuts to taste (for those curious a good couple of spoons full of chilli and all the peanuts, they’re one of the best bits).
Keeley’s choice was at the opposite end of the cooking spectrum – Beef Massaman curry – low slow and tender, made with home made curry paste, served with soft steamed rice and crisp onions on top. The beef was so well done, it surrendered to your gaze (let alone your fork) and we ate in the chatty surroundings in an almost silent happy state.
Though we were rather full, I was not above milking my heavy workout for every last calorie, and so dessert beckoned from the counter top. Vivid has a lovely range of home made cakes and biscuits, so I visited with eager eyes – everyone else has a dessert stomach, right?
I returned the favour, making the selection for Keeley, and watched her face light up when the Nutella brownie arrived. I, however, went for something sweet but light, with a coconut macaroon. Fluffy, biscuity, I can see myself back one afternoon for one of these and a giant mug of coffee, happy to spend the afternoon with my own company and a book.
Vivid Lounge is a lovely hidden place, and it’s welcome, it’s happy atmosphere and the great food make it a great place to settle for hours at a time.
Take a short walk away from the city centre. You might find something a little different.
With thanks to Keeley for inviting me to be her plus one, and Vivid Lounge for the food and drink consumed during our visit.
As ever, a meal supplied, doesn’t ensure a positive review. The food and drinks supplied were excellent, the service great, though the venue was noisy, it was you’d expect for such a popular spot.