WITH a Brazilian World Cup, a Mexican food craze, and a bar-scene that loves anything and everything Latino, De Nada in Chorlton should have a good year ahead.
The result is a neighbourhood bar with its feet in Chorlton and its heart in a backstreet cafe somewhere in Latin America
It opened in 2012 on Manchester Road with the aim of bringing a taste of South America to South Manchester. Owners Nigel and Sam worked for 20 years, between them, in Manchester bars and restaurants before adventuring all over Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Argentina. On the way, they picked up recipes and ideas to recreate back home. The result is a neighbourhood bar with its feet in Chorlton and its heart in a backstreet cafe somewhere in Latin America.
Drinks-wise, it competes with the best of Chorlton's bars. The wine list is supplied by Hanging Ditch and features exciting producers from all over South America. While the cocktail list highlights how many of our favourite tipples were invented by Latin countries: mojitos, caipirinhas and daiquiris to name a few.
Beer drinkers won't be disappointed: De Nada has been nominated for the Good Beer Guide 2015 thanks to their eight beers on draught including three real ales and range of carefully selected imported bottles.
And it's starting to get noticed for its food. The menu is small and simple with a focus on freshness and quality rather than reams of pre-prepared dishes. Ingredients are sourced from Chorlton's finest (Barbakan, Unicorn, Out of the Blue and Frosts) but the recipes come from further afield.
Go for the home-made empanadas (two for £4.25). These delicious, warm pastries are stuffed with flavoursome fillings including lamb and aubergine, spinach and ricotta, and beef and black olives.
Or try the Feijoada (£6). This robust, slow-cooked stew of black beans, pork and beef gets rave reviews from homesick Brazilians missing the taste of their national dish.
There are also tapas-style dishes for sharing, daily-changing salads, and sandwiches including the monster-sized 'lomito completo' which is packed with succulent steak, salad, cheese, chimichurri and mustard and topped off with a fried egg.
With child-friendly facilities, a jukebox, and a relaxed vibe to it, De Nada is proving popular with a day-time crowd and night-time drinkers. World Cup fever might only last the summer but this place looks like it's here to stay.
De Nada is running two deals right now for Confidential readers: lunch for £5 and two cocktails for £10. See our De Nada deals
