CityLife

Bacchanalia

Bacchanalia

Bacchanalia
City centre
November 2009

(Lunch review)

Overall: 3/5

IF its name is anything to go by then Bacchanalia – a Greek term for a good knees-up – offers lots of promise.

Situated on a quiet backwater yet only a stone’s throw from the city centre shops and offices, it is the ideal place to rest weary feet and minds.

On entering, the first thing to greet you is the sprawling bar – so it comes as no surprise to find out that Bacchanalia features more than 150 cocktails on its menu. Downstairs there are cosy booths, but keen to see what else this little hideaway has on offer we choose to sit upstairs in the more formal dining area where we find an inviting restaurant complete with open kitchen.

In a bid to attract busy workers, Bacchanalia boasts an express menu – consisting of main meal and a drink for £7.95 – and if it doesn’t hit the table in 15 minutes then it’s free.

Perfect accompaniment

It’s a tempting offer, but we opt instead to order from the lunch menu choosing wild mushroom risotto and a classic club sandwich as well as a side order of warm honeyed winter salad.

Sat next to a generous portion of homemade chunky chips, my triple-decker club sandwich is just the kind of comfort food you need on a cold autumn afternoon.

The risotto topped with shaved Parmesan and truffle oil equally rivals it, while the winter salad – gently roasted carrots and parsnips – is the perfect accompaniment.

With a final bill of £21 – and still enough time to stroll back to the office – Bacchanalia proves a quick lunch doesn’t have to be a dehydrated packet-sandwich. I will definitely be bacch.

Bacchanalia, 15-17 Chapel Walks, Manchester, M2 1HN (0161 819 1997, bacconline.com).