Following the Dog Bowl visit, the world knows I’m rubbish at bowling and I’ll happily admit it.
But I was persuaded to a rematch, this time involving our respective partners, to make it a more of a team effort (and theoretically to make myself and Keeley look better). This despite the fact that the last time Mr GFB bowled I was still in high school. Now there’s a scary thought.
All Star Lanes is based in the Great Northern development on Deansgate. The development finally seems to be getting some real momentum, especially with Manchester Cider Garden and popups over the Bank Holiday weekend. As rumours abound as to who is going to appear there next, it’s looking like a great new city centre destination in it’s own right.
What strikes you (pun intended) as you walk in is that this is polished. This is a place that knows what it’s doing and as we were greeted by a member of staff, it’s easy to see it’s confident in itself.
Having learned our lesson last time that piles of food and cocktail are not conducive to bowling, it was first on the menu.
But I’ll get to the results of the bowl off later. Let’s talk food and drink. As it was a Bank Holiday Monday and early on, we were treated to the brunch menu – one of my favourite meal times. Not quite breakfast, not quite lunch, you feel like you can eat that little bit more, you know, because it’s two in one.
Aside from Mr GFB, we all went for good lunch dishes. Keeley selected the steak sandwich, served with fries (or salad, but you need carbs for bowling, right?), Mr PC selected a burger, adding in jalapeños and cheese, whilst I went for one of my favourite dishes, chicken and waffles. Mr GFB set his tummy firmly in the brunch camp, with pulled pork hash with fried eggs and gravy.
The steak sandwich was everything you’d want, crisp but soft ciabatta, gently rare steak and great tasting fries. The burger, and here I point out that 25p from each goes to Forever Manchester, was requested well done and received perfectly so and Mr GFB was very happy with his brunch dish, it disappearing in record time. My chicken was beautiful and tender, with a gorgeous crispy coating and the waffles were spot on, crisp but soft with a hint of sweetness. The gravy I opted for was very quickly soaked up by the waffles and I could have done with a second portion!
Moving onto dessert, both Keeley and Mr GFB selected the rocky road sundae, whilst Mr PC chose the recommended brownie and I, having a big soft spot for it, selected cherry pie. The sundaes were huge, ice cream fought with pieces of brownie, cherries, marshmallows and chocolate, coffee and vanilla ice creams. Just in case it wasn’t enough, there was a little pot of chocolate sauce to keep you going.
The brownie, with it’s rich Bourbon toffee sauce and clotted cream icecream, looked amazing and Mr PC tucked in with relish. My cherry pie was piping hot and full of cherries – no skimping here – and a great match for the icecream that soon melted all over it.
Drinks wise, Keeley and I played with cocktails, while the gents stuck with beer. Given the beer menu, you can’t go wrong and a few pints of Sam Adams (and a bottle of Honkers) went down smoothly. Keeley’s favourite of the afternoon was the Roller Girl – vodka and bubblegum syrup meant it was perfect for her sweet tooth, whereas my favourite was the Honey Pot with honey whiskey, apple juice, ginger syrup and bitters. The ginger packs a good punch, fiery, not too sweet, absolutely perfect. I found a favourite without even trying.
So. The bowling.
You know, I think I’m improving, I didn’t feel quite as clumsy as last time, but was about as embarrassed with my score though. To be honest, Mr PC and Mr GFB absolutely wiped the floor with us, luckily my better half proved himself very adept, meaning we won!
Victory aside, this is a fantastic place. The food’s really good (I’ve heard very good things about the dinner menu, so I must head back) and the cocktails are gorgeous, though in the interests of thorough research, require further investigation.
It’s a perfect place for a night out, or day out as the kids will love it and if you’re looking for a party with a difference, there are private rooms for hire. I heard rumours about bowling balls that look like watermelons.
Despite my lack of bowling prowess, if a few rounds of making myself look silly mean I can eat and drink here more often, I think that’s a price I’m willing to pay…
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