Sleuth 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
JACKSON'S ROW DEVELOPMENT - BUT WHERE'S THE PUB?
Exciting times in terms of development in the city centre. On Thursday it was the turn of Gary Neville to outline plans for Jackson's Row in the city centre. More trees on towers and rooftop gardens. Here are some sketches of how the development probably won't look like after going through planning but they give an impression of the ideas being circulated. Sleuth is worried though, where is the historic Sir Ralph Abercromby pub in these dreamings? The Abercromby is a fine boozer, it was were victims of the Peterloo Massacre were taken in 1819. Surely the pub won't suffer last orders? Manchester simply can't afford to lose such associations.
GARY NEVILLE AND CHELSEA
Gary Neville presented the above plans at MIPIM 2015, the property fair in Cannes, after commenting for Sky on the previous night's Chelsea game against Paris St Germain. His opening line was: "It's unusual to see English people enjoying themselves in Europe."
ANTHONY H WILSON AWARDED
Surprising news from a noticeboard at MIPIM.
MARY-ELLEN McTAGUE FOR CHORLTON
The famous former Aumbry chef, star of Great British Menu, Mary-Ellen 'Spoons' McTague is putting in a shift at the Celler Key in Chorlton on Thursday 19 March. A four course menu will be matched with wines from the ninety plus list in this new generation wine-bar. Last time she visited she sold out in three hours so you best get nimble with your fingers on 0161 881 1305. The price is £60 a head. Sleuth can't wait.
SLEUTH'S DISH OF THE WEEK PART ONE
Jeez thought Sleuth as he tucked into a whole beautiful plate of squid ink blackened rice and seafood at Iberica Manchester, this is about as good as food gets. I really am squids in, Sleuth thought.
SLEUTH'S DISH OF THE WEEK PART TWO
Jeez thought Sleuth as he tucked into pollack with all the trimmings including chopped chilli, at Pertutti on Liverpool Road. This really is the dog's pollacks, Sleuth thought.
SLEUTH'S DISH OF THE WEEK PART THREE
Jeez thought Sleuth, as he tucked into superb pizzas at Honest Crust in Altrincham Market and forgot to take any pictures except blurred ones of the fine staff working in the Market, this place is about the nicest catering establishment in South Manchester. I must market it down for readers, Sleuth thought.
SLEUTH'S SURPRISINGLY FINE MENU OF THE WEEK
Sleuth hasn't had happy catering experiences at Old Trafford. The Red Cafe in United's stadium is very much motorway service station standard. So Sleuth wasn't expecting much from Cafe Football in Hotel Football. But then lo and behold the clever menu sang a song of really good Americana meets British nosh. Great fried chicken and a beautiful vimto trifle. Sleuth thinks they've created the perfect family menu. 1-0 to Cafe Football.
SLEUTH'S BREATHTAKING VIEW OF THE WEEK
After the food Sleuth went to the roof. On the ninth floor of Hotel Football is a five-a-side footy pitch. But forget the football the views are astounding, especially the one north taking in MediaCityUK, the moors and the city centre. Back of the net.
SLEUTH AND THE HAPPY HUNGARIANS
Sleuth was in Fumo at an event late last week. He was sat opposite two fine Hungarian chaps who were attending a conference in the city. One was a huge Manchester United fan. There were three hotels that delegates were staying in and as fate would have it he'd been allocated Hotel Football. "Do you want a Quays or a Stadium view?" the receptionist had asked when he'd checked in. In his charming accent and imaginative English our lovely visitor said, "I couldn't bloody believe my lucky stars, I fell to my knees and thanked God for this privilege, and shouted so very loudly, "You are an Angel sent from Heaven, please the Stadium!" I think I scared the receptionist to the back teeth. I leave the curtain open so the big red neon sign can sleep with me."
SLEUTH'S TRADES DESCRIPTIONS ACT INVESTIGATION
The Pound Pub in Atherton, yes that's its name, sells everything for £1, apart from the pints which are £1.50.
SLEUTH'S WEIRD WORLD STORY OF THE WEEK: 'IT'S A BAD 'UN'.
This from the Misery Evening News.
A man was stabbed through the penis after a trivial altercation in a pub turned to violence, a court has heard.
As the 64-year-old victim Terence Flood was tended by paramedics he was terrified to hear them say “it’s a bad one”.
His attacker, 71-year-old acquaintance Alex Walker, who has no previous convictions, admitted wounding Mr Flood with intent and possessing a lock knife and was jailed for six years.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that the incident happened on July 14 last year while the two men were by chance in The Pound Pub in Market Street, Atherton, near Wigan.
Walker maintained that he did not mean to stab his 'friend' in the groin area.