Hot on the heels of its first birthday celebrations, the Northern Quarter venue has just re-launched their food menu.
The kitchen team have managed to squeeze a whole load of their culinary skill into a couple of Kilner jars with their take on coarse and smooth paté
Over the past 12 months, Pen and Pencil has gained a real foodie following - especially for its bottomless brunches. Those in the know mark the last Saturday of every month in their diary and form an orderly queue outside before opening time at 10am. But now there’s no need to wait to enjoy excellent eating at this New York inspired speakeasy.
Their American style brunch is still available every day from 10am until 4pm, but the new revamped all-day menu is now available from midday until 9pm (5pm on Sundays) with a range of small plates and large plates for snacking, sharing or simple solitary scoffing.
As thorough as we are (and by thorough, we mean greedy obviously), we worked our way through the whole range of ‘small plates’. Pen and Pencil take great pride in the food they serve, but they know that they have become a magnet for fans of their fantastic drinks selection and special music events. By streamlining their fine selection of small plates they can now offer a range of dining options; from stomach-lining bar snacks to grazing food for groups of friends to share. For those who prefer not to share, the menu also includes tasty sandwiches, steaks, burgers, salads, rarebit and sliders.
From the small plate selection, rich pickings include five or ten sticky glazed chicken wings with sweet chilli jam, crushed cashew nuts and spring onion; perfect for snacking along with a citrusy cocktail such as Full Ketel Jacket. If sticky is your thing, you’re going to have to try the slow cooked belly pork ribs with their own barbeque glaze, tequila and lime slaw.
If you’re after something just as satisfying but a little less meaty, enjoy a trio of Jalapeño Poppers - cheese balls with a real kick. We also enjoyed Fish Goujons; a grown-up take on fish fingers made from fresh cod rolled in spiced breadcrumbs, again served with the refreshingly crunchy tequila and lime slaw.
The kitchen team have managed to squeeze a whole load of their culinary skill into a couple of Kilner jars with their take on coarse and smooth patés – the ideal traditional pub snack for enjoying along with a beer, ale, cider or Boilermaker (a beer and a shot). Potted Ham turned out to be a fine flavoured shredded ham set in mustard butter. We also really loved the Veggie Bourbon Paté made with autumnal chestnut mushrooms which had been slow-cooked in bourbon and soy before being set in pecan butter. Both of these are served alongside caramelised onion jam, chargrilled rye bread and light homemade pickles.
If you’re in the mood for a burger but still want something light, you can choose from Pen and Pencil’s range of miniature sliders; Cod in spiced breadcrumbs, Beef with Monterey Jack cheese and pickles, Grilled Halloumi with sweet chilli jam or crunchy Memphis rubbed chicken with Cajun mayonnaise.
Pen and Pencil is a relaxed bar and restaurant tucked away down Hilton Street; between Piccadilly Train Station and the Northern Quarter, making it the perfect destination for drinking, dining, snacking, meeting and eating, all day, every day.
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