Editor Pick
Sam's Chop Bar
- January 24, 2008
- Rated 3 of 5 by
MichaelJM from Nottingham, England
In sight of the Manchester Wheel and off Cross Street, one of the City’s shopping streets is the Victorian restaurant called Sam’s Chop House. Chapel Walks has numerous bars and restaurants, is close to some of Manchester’s more exclusive shops and only a stone’s throw away from the tram line through town. In short it’s conveniently placed and it came with strong recommendations from some of my work colleagues. This is the sister establishment to Thomas’s Chop House, where I’d eaten previously and I’d spent several weeks trying to find its location. Finally I found it by luck rather than design and was determined to test it out.
I descended the short almost rickety stair case into the basement pub, which at 7.00 p.m. was fairly full with people who, by the look of them were enjoying a post-work drink or two. At the back of this traditional looking pub was a roomy restaurant and my only criticism would be that the tables had been crammed in giving each diner very little personal space. It was dimly lit, which actually didn’t bode well for me because I had intended to catch up with today’s news by reading one of the free newspaper’s that had been available from the bar area. I tried but my eyes no longer cope well with small print in poorly lit areas. No matter, I cast it aside and concentrated on the dinner menu.
I’d already ordered a pint of Sam’s beer having been told that it was brewed exclusively for the Chop House and in all fairness it turned out to be a great pint with plenty of flavours – a richly coloured beer that turned out to be light and refreshing. Sat right in the far corner of the restaurant I had a good overview of the place, but I actually felt that as a single diner I’d been positioned well out of the way. Over-sensitive? Probably, but it certainly wouldn’t have been my preferred seat.
After a close perusal of the menu (main courses range from £11 to £18) I chose a free-range chicken breast with wilted spinach and mushrooms and pan fried potatoes. I wasn’t kept waiting long but was able to take in the historic feel of the place with its chunky tiles set into wood panelling, a range of old prints (liberally hung on most of the walls) and interesting lighting. There was a general hubbub around as the restaurant was extraordinarily busy for a Wednesday night and it was quite difficult to hear what was being said to me.
The chicken was delightfully well cooked and well presented, but at £16 it was perhaps a little overpriced. There was plenty of it and I’m just pleased that I was dining alone because it was incredibly strong on the garlic. So if garlic “isn’t your bag” you’d need to avoid this course at all costs.
I liked the ambiance of Sam’s, but I’m not sure I’ll rush back.
From journal O 2 Eat Out in 08