retiredmartin

December 2024. Manchester.

Back to Shudehill, after another interminable wait outside Middleton Spoons where I compared bus notes with a wizened lady from Blackley with seventeen grandchildren. She was probably 40. I had so many questions, none about Blackley pubs.

The hardest question for Mancunians to answer is “How do we get to This & That ?“

Honestly, I couldn’t tell you. Soap Street, Back Turner Street, just off Thomas Street all work.

But actually, “Walk out the back entrance of the Hare & Hounds, turn right, cross the road, look up” works well.

One of the original Currys Caffs that illuminated those seminal CAMRA Guides to Manchester 30 years ago, This & That seems to have be the dominant force in the Northern Quarter these days, and since Al Faisal and Yadgar were closed that Sunday it was Hobson’s choice.

I’ve recently been a convert to the hidden charms of the Marhaba, but the lack of the aubergine and pumpkin dishes is a shame, and anyway it was time to revisit the joys of the Rice and Three.

When we first started bringing the boys up to Manchester in 2009 for football and frenzied pub ticking they caught the attention of the Bolton-supporting owner with their curry appreciation, and Matt is still a loyal customer.

The price of the signature plate (rice, spinach with meat, daal, chicken, rotis) has gone up a bit in 15 years (now £8), but I genuinely think quality and quantity has, too.

A huge feast in a packed canteen, with memories of away fans decorating the Gents (so this isn’t Blackpool Jane);

And this isn’t Halifax Town.

Anyway, don’t dawdle, it’s not Hawksmoor. Take your tray back, and good luck finding your way back to the pubs.