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
The Worlds First Pay-By-Picture Restaurant Opens, Except It Isn't
First there was Dr Oetker in The Market, a total shambles of a promotion for crap processed food. Now it's Birds Eye's turn. The good news is, unlike at Dr Nausea's, no-one has to pay.
This is the blurb. 'The world’s first pay-by-picture restaurant will be arriving in Manchester following a preview showcase in London'. Sleuth loves lines like this. If it's already opened in London then it isn't the world's first is it?
Anyway, 'On 26th June the city will have the chance to enjoy the latest experience that taps into the growing trend for ‘Food-ography’ – taking and sharing photos of the meals you eat.
'Called The Picture House and open for one night only, the dining experience from Birds Eye is being used to mark the launch of Inspirations – the food brand’s new premium dining range. Diners who visit The Picture House on Canal Street will have to settle the bill by taking a picture on Instagram and uploading it onto their social networks.'
Sleuth wonders why do these brands bother? Sleuth loves a fish finger butty but he's not going to consider it a special occasion food. It's as though marketeers for basic fodder providers such as Birds Eye feel left out by all the other 'exciting' promotions out there and just have to do something, anything.
Yum...processed
The Pay-By-Pic Interesting Fact Of The Week
Sleuth isn't sure how many Mancunians were asked but Birds Eye has come up with these interesting/alarming facts. 10% of people in the region take at least one snap of their dinner every week with 11% admitting to not being able to go a day without snapping a picture of one of their meals. Weirdly, a quarter of residents purposely arrange food on their plate with the intention of sharing it online. Chefs must love that, thinks Sleuth. By the way Gordo, head gourmand at Confidential, takes at least two pictures during this meals - of every course.
Grillstock Arrives In Manchester
BBQ is the thing at the moment. Music's always been the thing. Grillstock Festival combines both and is coming to Albert Square on 28-29 June. It was a success last year. This year there'll be twenty-eight teams in the competition. There's a Weber’s BBQ Academy and buffalo wing, chilli and hotdog eating competitions. Meat fans can try out the ribs, pulled pork and burgers from street food stalls invited from all over the country. There is ale, and bands such as Vintage Trouble and Hayseed Dixie. Sleuth is particularly attracted to the mustard cocktails, after all, Sleuth's secret food and drink vice is drinking malt vinegar. No honestly. Yummy. Grillstock tickets cost £12.
Grillstock Manchester (credit Chris Cooper)
Tampopo Goes Pop
Sleuth's been grubbing in the licensing notices and found permission for this being sought: 'Temporary trading pavilion to house a Tampopo restaurant and bar which currently operates out of the Corn Exchange and is required to move outside during the refurbishment works this year and next.' The Corn Exchange is transforming into a vast food venue so Tampopo are moving from the building into a tent in Exchange Square as that happens. Excellent news. The licence is for '18 months or so'. Sleuth hears Salvi's Mozzarella Bar will be joining them in a similar structure.
Sleuth's Weirdest Location For A Champagne Bar - Of The Week
Also in the licensing notices Sleuth found that Lola Lo on Deansgate Locks wants to create 'a champagne bar at the entrance to the ladies toilets'. A) Why does a bar such as Lola Lo require a champagne bar? B) Why put it at the entrance to the ladies? The world befuddles Sleuth occasionally. Maybe they're doing a cocktail called Bubbly Flush, the only drink that'll sound like a toilet detergent.
Sleuth's Cyclist Hit On The Head Picture - Of The Week
Sleuth felt sorry for this cyclist who'd clearly been hit on the head by a series of frisbees of declining size.
Frisbee collecting man
Sleuth's Worst Business Name Because Of History - Of The Week
Sleuth, a keen follower of current affairs, thinks that ISIS cafe in Levenshulme might want to think of a change of name.
Sleuth Witnesses Council Parking And Transport Policy Meeting
Sleuth was on his way to view the superb Brownsfield Mill in Ancoats when behind an old warehouse off Tariff Street he saw this going on. The blind leading the blind, all the people are wearing blindfolds - a council parking and city centre policy transport meeting perhaps?
Council transport policy meeting
MEN Requires Close Examination Claims Man On Bench
Sleuth reckons after the eighteenth crime story this man collapsed onto the paper in despair. Either that or he has really poor eye sight.
This MEN is good
Hungry Dad Eats The Money
Sleuth has a son who took part in one of those product tasting initiatives for a bit of extra cash the other day. He had to video himself eating a burger and give a running commentary. Another young fella reported in to the organisers to say, "I couldn't do my video. My girlfriend's dad came in drunk after watching the World Cup in the pub, saw the burger in the fridge and ate it." No extra cash for that poor boy.
Sleuth's Lies To Tell Tourists
The IRA bomb of 1996 - new pictures have been released by the Fire Service below - was the start of Manchester's regeneration.*
Oh no - the bomb didn't mark the start of Manchester's regeneration
*The IRA bomb caused a significant part of the retail core to be rebuilt but Manchester had already started to recover from the depths of eighties gloom following the Olympic bids and the decision of the council to work hard on public/private partnerships. The bomb was a massive interruption to a process that was already in play.
