DE Nada defines a good neighbourhood bar but its empanadas are worth travelling a distance for. They're the best in Manchester.
De Nada defines what a neighbourhood bar should be all about, great drinks, great food and a warm welcome from the hosts, Samantha and Nigel.
In fact the care with which all the food is put together with an artful lightness of touch is key to the character of the bar. Take the Latin American inspired stews which are as good as the empanadas.
The Feijoada (£6), made to a traditional Brazilian recipe, is a corker. Apparently the beef, pork and black beans are cooked for up to three days very slowly which renders the results both tender and succulent.
Feijoada
The chef is Samantha and she fell in love with Latin American food while working at the Argentine meat festival that is Gauchos in the city centre. The Latin pasties, the empanadas (main picture at the top of the page), have a perfect crisp glazed pastry which breaks to reveal moist and lively interiors.
I've tried most of them but delighted in the roast chicken, pepper and chorizo empanada, the squash and goats cheese version and the pulled pork parcel. These are saturated with flavour and are the perfect snack while chugging on a beer.
I favour ale so I tried a Peerless from one of the UK's best small brewers Red Willow from Macclesfield. This is rich golden in colour, packed with character and carries a good punch at 5.2%. There are always ales available plus quality lagers and a draft cider. The mojitos are well-known for being top notch too.
Good beer
De Nada sits on Manchester Road opposite the doomed Chorlton Leisure Centre. It occupies a former shop unit and has a light and airy interior enlivened by a good jukebox. There's a terrace out front too.
As stated above De Nada defines what a neighbourhood bar should be all about, great drinks, great food and a warm welcome from the hosts, Samantha and Nigel. Get down there and while away a few hours with those wonderful empanadas.
De Nada is at 125 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9PG. 0161 881 6618.
This is a promotional article produced in association with De Nada.
Warm welcome from Samantha
Jukebox jangle
Floaty ceiling
