SleuthSleuth is a sideways glance at the city every week, it's the truth, but Sleuth's truth. He's several people all at once. We give £25 for every story/rumour and piece of absurdity you find for us to publish. Sleuth sometimes even gets serious. We ask for the money back if any legal action follows. Follow Sleuth on twitter @mcrsleuth
I'll Get My Côte
Côte French Bistro has opened on St Mary’s Street in the old Prohibition site next to Gaucho Grill. Gordo was in within four hours of it opening and said to Sleuth on his return: “I like the place. It’s a chain but with properly decent French grub. We'll review it next week.” Sleuth replied, “Excellent, now are you saving that boudin noir* stuck on your chin for later.” "Yes," said Gordo, taking a selfie wistfully.
*Boudin noir is black pudding in French. Sleuth is fluent in five languages, English, Ancient Greek, Old Latin, Pointlessly Extinct Ruritanian and Hedgehog, plus he has a partial understanding of people from Yorkshire but none of people from Birmingham.
(Boudin noir below, with the duck in the main picture)
It's black pudding but not as we know it
The Inspiration Of Elton John
"Nikita," said Sleuth, to one of the waiting staff in Côte as he wandered by this week. "Is that a Russian name?"
"No," said Nikita, "my dad just liked Elton John songs."
Could have been worse thinks Sleuth, could have been called Donna-let-the-sun-go-down-on-me.
Nikita - looking over the border with Ukraine wondering which bit to claim
SMIZE Of The Week
Speaking of Gordo and 'selfies' - the current most over-used half word in the world - Sleuth went along to a Selfie Seminar in the city centre the other day. There really are such things. At the seminar there was a long discussion about smize and how to perfect it. Smize means to smile with your eyes. It's one of the great issues of our brave new world. Sleuth isn't sure he got his smize right.
Sleuth gets his smize wrong
Addy Open On Irwell
The Mark Addy has re-opened while it refurbs in stages, that helps put money in the till to re-invest. The smelly stairs carpet has been replaced and the booths moved out so the live entertainment and music nights planned for the pub will have room to breathe. Jobs still to do include the main room carpet replacement and restoration of the entrance canopy. A proper iron fence has been added on the river terrace to stop people falling into the sweet River Irwell. Sleuth sort of regrets this, he used to freshen up in the river after a long afternoon in the pub and enjoyed the Addy's Annual Spank A Goose Festival. Weekend Northern Soul nights are planned soon and the cheese and pate food menu is a month or so away.
The Addy has re-opened
Mr Cooper's Wins More Awards
Sleuth loves Mr Cooper's House and Garden. He likes to sit on the terrace and snaffle some of the best food in the city prepared in Simon Rogan's kitchen in the Midland Hotel by Adam Reid. So Sleuth is thoroughly pleased that the AA have awarded Mr Coopers a second rosette, underlining the excellence of the cooking. He might just run over there now and bury his head in that lovely ham and fig starter.
Excellent food and interesting space
Sleuth's First Sign Of Spring
The deckchairs have blossomed in Spinningfields.
Get the decks out and take in the watery April sunshine
Belle Vue Reinvented But No Chimps
Sleuth was pleased to read that the city council is rebranding Belle Vue as a centre of leisure and sporting excellence. To quote, 'Belle Vue was once known as one of Manchester’s most popular leisure facilities, and now the area is gearing up to revive its reputation as one of the city’s most prominent sport and leisure destinations. A new sports village will become home to national centres for both speedway and basketball. There will also be modernisation of the existing local leisure centre.'
"Can we have the big dipper and all the other amusement park stuff back as well. And the zoo too?" Sleuth asked a council spokesman.
"Sadly not," came the reply, "nor will there be a chimp wearing a smoking jacket which is a crying shame."
Sleuth has to agree, a real shame. The chimp was called Consul and was one of the greatest Mancunians ever - as this picture shows.
Consul getting ready for a night on the town - with a limp
Sleuth's New Sport Title Of The Week
As this Confidential article from Niamh Spence announces, Manchester is to host the UK Kettlebell Championships. The sport involves 'jerk and snatch' - manoeuvres Sleuth's not come across before. The jerk involves lifting the kettlebells overhead with knees bent, and the snatch is using the hips to drive the kettlebell up and over the head. So if you want to see some jerk, or maybe admire some snatch, then put 26 April at Train Manchester, 6 Arundel Street, M15 4JZ, in your diary.
A little bit of jerk and a little bit of snatch makes for a happy day
Sleuth’s Alcohol Consumption Advice
Sleuth was at the WWI exhibition at the Imperial War Museum North this week and saw this poster. He has to agree. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday...but please not, for God's sake, Monday.
Not on Mondays please
Sleuth’s Domestic Servant Advice
Sleuth also saw this poster. It's sound advice even in 2014. Manchester City Council fully endorse point one.
Letting go of the servants can be hard but counselling may ease the pain
Name For New Thai Restaurant Announced
The retreat of retail from The Avenue in Spinningfields continues. A large unit from the Chaophraya group is set to open with 'streetfood' called From The Streets Of Bangkok. But it's in a building - a permanent covered unit. Sleuth is getting very confused over the definition of 'streetfood'.
When is street food not street food?
Sleuth's Shame
Sleuth feels very ashamed that he has no Northern Quarter bar openings to announce this week. He's been a naughty boy and promises not to let this happen again. Normal service will be resumed after the Sleuth's Good Friday holiday when no doubt another twenty Northern Quarter bars will be ready to go.
Sleuth’s Lies To Tell Tourists
Sleuth is often asked by visitors what is the Ordsall Chord? They say, “Is it a new rail line to make the connection between Piccadilly and Victoria Stations more efficient?” “No,” says Sleuth, "it's this", before demonstrating the Ordsall Chord on his handy guitar like so.
Not this chord
