ALL THE signs seemed to suggest that Neighbourhood, Spinningfield’s original home of hedonism, was poised for more ‘swinging from the chandelier’ revelry in the lead-up to its reopening following its recent six-figure makeover.
One sign in particular, which casts a glowing red neon halo over Neighbourhood’s newly spruced-up bar, reads: ‘The best view of heaven is from hell’.
An unconventional backdrop for a gospel choir, but then, there's little conventional about this place. There have, however, been changes.
We used to have girls standing on the table top, dangling from the ceiling bar in short skirts...
The bar - which opened back in 2013 as a Manhattan-style bar restaurant catering for the glamorous and debauchee - has a noticeably more urbane and sophisticated look.
Gone is the mustard yellow in favour of oak panels, deep green leather booths, marble table tops and soft lighting. With the help of Edwin Pickett, the designer behind Australasia and Tattu, the restaurant has now adopted a darker, richer colour scheme with deep woods, high octane accents and pop artwork specially commissioned by local Manchester artist Davo Howarth. The result is a more refined, mature and dining-focused space.
Neigbourhood has grown up - but only a little.
NeighbourhoodWith a new look also comes a new attitude:
“We used to have girls standing on the table top, dangling from the ceiling bar in short skirts and we’d have to repair stiletto holes in the leather. There won’t be much of that now. We want people to dine and drink, and there’s no separation between the bar and the restaurant now,” says General Manager Antoine Mano.
The menu has also been refined, with former Grenache Chef Mike Jennings taking up the role as Head Chef to help steer Neighbourhood towards a more serious, food-led direction.
The menu is said to be ‘all-encompassing’, including lunch, afternoon tea, weekend brunch, cocktails, light snacks and dinner. The popular lobster tacos still feature and Neighbourhood will be showcasing dishes such as short rib tacos with crunchy Asian slaw, rosemary and garlic crusted lamb cutlets served with spiced olive jus and creamed mash and their classic chicken dinner with creamed mash, honey butter and white gravy.
“The restaurant will have more of a brasserie style,” says Mano. “The American theme with mini burgers and sliders remains and we’ll still have the sushi menu, but it’ll be less about sharing and more about encouraging people to enjoy three courses. We’ve also refined the bottle service and have introduced a gin trolley.”
So Neighbourhood has turned a little more formal. But rest assure the mayhem will still go on until the wee hours of the morning – just keep those stilettos off the new furniture, ok?
Here's how she looks...
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