Something of a hidden gem, wedged as it is between Deansgate and St Ann’s Square, Barton Arcade is having a renaissance of late, boosted by the likes of Lunya – shortlisted for Best Food and Drink Retailer at this year’s MFDF Awards – and Pot Kettle Black. The latter, which opened in October 2014 as an Australian-style coffee shop and has been shortlisted for Best Coffee Shop in the MFDF wards, is expanding its offering with the launch of a new breakfast and brunch menu, available until 3pm every day. When we visited on a Tuesday lunchtime, the place was bustling with office workers, families and laptop-wielding freelancers. From the new menu, we sampled the Eggs Saganaki (£9) with feta, chilli and spinach, and the N’Duja baked eggs (pictured, £9), supplemented by smoked mozzarella and pecorino – each served with long slices of olive and rosemary toast. Both portions were on the generous size, and their individual ingredients shined through. Other items of note on the menu are Cinnamon French toast with hazelnut sea-salt butter, maple syrup and vanilla mascarpone (£7.50) and Whipped ricotta, with fresh and preserved figs on toast, mint and infused honey (£5) – plus other staples incorporating porridge, smashed avocado and a variety of egg dishes. With PKB big on its artisan coffee, we also opted to try the Wilson – a nod to Tom Hanks’ inanimate companion in Cast Away, reinvented here as a shot of espresso over coconut water. The coconut flavour was surprisingly subtle, although it did help sweeten the drink.
Pot Kettle Black, 14 Barton Arcade, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2BW, Mon – Fri 8am – 7pm, Sat 9am – 6pm, Sun 10am – 5pm, @PKBcoffee potkettleblackltd.co.uk
- Words:
- Chris Horkan
- Published on:
- Thu 14 Jul 2016
