Eats

The landmark pub with Lemn Sissay poem painted on the side has been demolished

It was deemed unsafe after a huge fire last week.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 29th May 2023

A landmark Greater Manchester pub, famed for having a huge Lemn Sissay poem painted on the outside, has been demolished.

All that remains of the Hardy’s Well in Rusholme now is a pile of bricks – and a lot of sadness from the local community.

The pub has been out of action and largely derelict since 2016, but after a fire ripped through it last week the decision was made to demolish it.

Fire crews had tried their hardest to save the 200-year-old building but deemed it unsafe.

And the destruction of the pub at the bottom of the Curry Mile has also seen the iconic 1992 poem bulldozed.

It was penned by local legend Lemn Sissay OBE, who is also behind the ‘Flags’ poem etched into the paving slabs of the Northern Quarter.

The Hardy’s Well poem was designed to be a tongue-twister for inebriated customers of the pub itself, with every word starting with the letter W.

The pub attracted its fair share of student drinkers, as well as hordes of Manchester City fans thanks to its proximity to the club’s old ground, Maine Road.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Lemn said: “When that poem was put up poets weren’t doing that. They weren’t putting their poems on the side of buildings.

“It became a landmark, and that’s not something you can make happen, people make landmarks. People still contact me from all around the world saying the poem reminds them of their time at university or in Manchester, that it reminds them of a brilliant time in their life.

“I’m extremely proud of that. The poem has done me a lot of good, it’s really helped me and my career, but I don’t think it’s a sad moment.

“I would have loved it if it could have been put somewhere else, but life moves on, things change, Manchester changes. I don’t have a problem with it going now.”

Dozens of locals are now sharing their fond memories of the Hardy’s Well – whether it was as a punter or a passer-by.

One person wrote: “Half of my life time passing it on the way to school, town or raving! Thanks for the moments inspired by reading in every passing Lemm.”

Another said: “Gutting. One of my first memories of Manchester – used to love going past it on the bus twice a day.”

Someone else said on Twitter: “Noooooooo! Worked behind the bar there for about 4yrs. Loved that place. Always loved the pre match crowd when City still played at Maine Road.”

And another wrote: “Used to live round the back of here during my student days! Very sad. Lots of Mancunian culture being lost.”

Lemn Sissay’s Hardy’s Well poem

Wait waterless wanderer. Whoever walks
to the well will wade into a wonderous world.
A world which will waken the wilting
wallpaper of work and worry. Well? Worry
will wait while wells wand whirls a warm-
hearted wackiness into a weary week.
Whereafter waves and waterfalls of
wonderment will wash all weakness. A way?
Well? A world wide web of wholehearted
wholesome wisdom and wit waits wipe away
worries. Wells work wonders for wrinkles.
Why wait. Why wonder. Why worry. Why
wain. Why whittle. Why wither. Walk in. Well.
What we waiting for. It’ll double you. At
Hardy’s Well.

Featured image: Google Maps

Eats

The brilliant Persian cafe in disguise as a greasy spoon that’s just had a star turn on TV

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Majid and Alex Polizzi on The Hotel Inspector

A family-run, often-overlooked restaurant in Chorlton had a star turn on TV last night, when The Hotel Inspector paid a visit to the Chorlton Metro Cafe.

From the outside, this place looks very much like your run-of-the-mill greasy spoon, and it sort of is, with fry-ups and breakfast sandwiches up for grabs.

But beyond that, this is the spot to come for an authentic, hearty, home-cooked Persian food.

And it’s this strange dual identity that has caught the attention of Channel 5 this year, and given the business a full episode of The Hotel Inspector.

Alex Polizzi and her crew headed to Chorlton earlier this year to assist husband and wife Majid and Zahra in a rebrand to become The Persian Stop (the sign still hasn’t changed, but bear with them here).

During the episode, The Hotel Inspector tackled everything from a menu overhaul to a spruce-up of the restaurant’s frontage, and ran a cost evaluation, hoping to help Majid and Zahra to increase custom.

A full spread of the new Persian dishes
A full spread of the new Persian dishes
Majid at Chorlton Metro Cafe with his new pancake dish
Majid at Chorlton Metro Cafe with his new pancake dish
Fantastic pancakes at Chorlton Metro Cafe
Fantastic pancakes at Chorlton Metro Cafe

And there were other familiar faces involved too – Channel 5 called on social media experts The Manc (oh wait, that’s us!) to help Majid understand the power of social media.

The couple moved to the UK from Iran more than 20 years ago, and Majid ran a successful construction business – until the financial crisis of 2008.

The pair then poured their life savings into the Metro Cafe, a greasy spoon just across the road from Chorlton tram stop.

Behind the scenes of The Hotel Inspector
Behind the scenes of The Hotel Inspector
Behind the scenes of The Hotel Inspector

They kept the full builder’s breakfasts and mugs of tea, but added a new string of Persian stews and fragrant rice dishes to the menu.

Now, with the help of The Hotel Inspector, the menu puts these ancient dishes front and centre.

Expect slices of syrupy baklava for only £2.80, and traditional stews like khoresh bademjan (slow-cooked aubergines with split peas and lamb) and khoresh fesenjan (saffron, ground walnut and pomegranate chicken).

This is a small business, run by a fantastic local couple, and one of those hidden gems that deserves to be a little less hidden.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

The Michelin Guide adds THREE new Greater Manchester restaurants

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Chef patron Shaun Moffat at Winsome. Credit: The Manc Group

Three brilliant Greater Manchester restaurants have been added to the prestigious Michelin Guide this week.

All three new additions to the guide have been open for less than a year, and join an impressive roster of 15 other local restaurants.

Manchester also now boasts two Michelin stars after going decades with none, thanks to the opening of Skof last year.

While stars remain the most prestigious accolade in the hospitality industry, Michelin also dishes out Bib Gourmands, and Michelin Guide entries to recognise excellent restaurants at lower price points.

Greater Manchester now has 15 entries to its name, with a new trio added yesterday.

Up first is Winsome, a restaurant from former Chef of the Year award-winner Shaun Moffat.

Winsome has also made it into the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Winsome has also made it into the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside WInsome on Princess Street. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside WInsome on Princess Street. Credit: The Manc Group
Winsome has also made it into the Michelin Guide. Credit: The Manc Group

The modern British bistro, which stands on a corner of the Whitworth Locke hotel building, features playful and classic dishes like asparagus with dippy eggs, gigantic pies with gravy served in cow-shaped jugs, and soft bread rolls with lashings of butter.

The Michelin Guide said: “Manchester’s industrial history feels like it’s had an overt influence on this buzzing brasserie with a large kitchen counter and a stripped-back look.

“The cooking has an admirably gutsy, straightforward quality to it, with hints of nostalgia. Think cold cuts, whole fish, hearty homemade pies and a mixed grill. It’s all executed with skill and the ingredients are of obvious quality, resulting in no shortage of flavour.

“The young and enthusiastic service team are a perfect fit for such a fun place.”

Winsome said: “Today is a good day! We’re absolutely chuffed to tell you that we’ve made it into the Michelin Guide!”

Across town, the next Manchester entry into the Michelin Guide is Pip, a new spot from acclaimed local chef Mary-Ellen McTague.

Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague has been added to the Michelin Guide
Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague has been added to the Michelin Guide
Pip by Mary-Ellen McTague has been added to the Michelin Guide

Pip, at the foot of the Treehouse Hotel, opened earlier this year and has already received glowing national reviews thanks to its seasonal, proudly local dishes.

There are pies, oysters, British charcuterie, sardines on toast, cheese and onion tarts, chops, hot pots, and plenty more, with suppliers including Littlewoods Butchers, Organic North, Courtyard Dairy and Kindling Farm.

Speaking on the recognition, Mary-Ellen McTague, chef partner at Pip, said: “We’re over the moon to be included in the Michelin Guide so soon after opening!

“It’s an incredible honour, made possible by the dedication of our amazing team and the support of our wonderful suppliers. Working with them to showcase the very best of the North West is a daily joy.”

And completing this month’s entries to the Michelin Guide is Cantaloupe, an achingly stylish new local restaurant for Stockport.

Inside, it’s all white brick walls, wooden furniture, and bold art, with a frequently-changing menu built around the best produce they can get their hands on.

The Michelin Guide wrote of Cantaloupe: “There’s a fresh, clean feel to both the décor and the cooking at this welcoming little wine bar and restaurant. The concise but appealing wine list will appeal to traditional oenophiles, with quality established growers to the fore.

“The menu has a Mediterranean leaning, so whilst it changes daily, it will likely include a pasta dish and possibly some whole fish. This is cooking that relies on simplicity and skill, with immense care poured into dishes like peri peri octopus and duck fat crisps, so that the natural flavours shine.”

Congratulations to all the new entries!

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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