WHAT THEY SAY: "There will be some traditionalists with a few questions. The Drop offers Modern Caribbean cuisine, so there'll be some uncommon elements added to traditional dishes - there were a few raised eyebrows when I added pomegranates to the curry goat.
There's no need to blast Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry to prove authenticity here
“We’ve done everything by ourselves. We’ve used reclaimed materials and hand-painted the walls. Our plan is to keep a low carbon footprint and use reclaimed furniture where possible.
“My business partner was well on his way to becoming a fully fledged barrister until I convinced him to come on this journey with me. Together, we've got the right mix." - The Drop Café and Bar co-owner, James ‘Jimmy’ Gill.
WHAT WE SAY: 'There's no good Caribbean restaurants in Manchester' runs like a broken record in the city. Though the tide seems to be turning after a surge of new jerk joints popped up across Manchester. Of course, it was the arrival of Caribbean chain Turtle Bay that jumped these small businesses into action, and while The Drop is tinsy compared to the giant Turtle - with only around 30 covers - it certainly has a greater soul.
Amongst the shabby Caribbean takeaways and vans, very few have invested in design detail and The Drops pine boats for plates are a cute and environmentally conscious touch. The geometric design and vivid colours are bright without seeming caricature and there's no need to blast Bob Marley's No Woman No Cry to prove authenticity here.
The Drop, Barlow moor RoadWHAT TO ORDER: The Drop Cafe and Bar's menu is concise yet provides solid breakfast, lunch and dinner options, including a Sunday 'Reggae Roast' with lemon and thyme bbq chicken, rice'n'peas, mac and cheese and sweet potato - a perfect example of The Drop's 'British meets Caribbean' focus.
The true test of authenticity comes from the curry goat with rice and peas (£6.50); the robust, spiced goat falls tenderly off the bone, while the rice with coconut shavings comes light, fluffy and perfectly cooked with red beans. Rib eye steak (£9) is sliced, topped with mangoes and drizzled in a subtlely sweet and spicy jerk sauce (when it comes to steak anything less than medium is a taboo across the islands). Order either fried dumplings, mac and cheese or sweet potato as sides (£3). The Drop's aim is not to blow heads off with overly spicy jerk but pack it's meals with distinctive flavours. It's hot - but not 'HOT, HOT, HOT'.
...AND THE BOOZE: Rum comes as standard on Caribbean menus and The Drop have rum cocktails in abundance - with spicy scotch bonnet, cardamon and fennel infusions. The team have also paid attention to the wine list, opting for fruity wines with low tannins to compliment the flavour-packed meals. Beers come from local brewers Shindigger.
The Drop's Rib eyeWHAT ELSE: The Drop is the young duo's first business, and while they first sought venues in Withington and Rusholme, the pair chose Chorlton for its burgeoning social scene and reputation for local support and community.
Gill is not your average restaurauteur, known to many across the city as an accomplished lyricist and rapper, he spent time among the 'posh chalets' of France learning to be a chef. Gill’s business partner Ez Saunders is a trained Barrister and the son of Val Saunders, founder of Fallowfield's Kool Runnings takeaway and a Caribbean food trailblazer in Manchester for the past fifteen years.
WHEN TO GO: Friday night ideally. The Drop fits in with the weekend social scene on Barlow Moor Road. Things pick up from 6pm with folk sipping at cocktails on the outside terrace until midnight.
WHERE IS IT? 356, Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 8AZ
WHEN IS IT OPEN? The team are still finalising opening times and will serve breakfast and lunch from 24 August. Dinner is served weekly from 4pm to 9:30pm and Sunday lunch from 3pm to 9pm. The bar is open until midnight.
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