What to try from their just-launched spring menu
IT'S best known for its craft beers which is unsurprising considering they've got about sixty of them. But there's more to No. 1 Watson Street than liquid entertainment. This place has honed its food offering recently with the launch of a new menu for spring. And we like the direction they've taken.
The new menu features American-Italian style dishes well suited to the laid-back feel of this unassuming bar. No.1 Watson Street is a very easy place to like but not easy to define. It doesn't try to be cool or quirky and it doesn't hit you other the head with a 'concept' as soon as you walk through the door. The décor is simple but warm. A little bit Scandi, a little bit East Village. All you really need to know is that it's a very pleasant place to go for lunch or evening eats with good service and good cooking.
The new menu retains their winning range of stone-baked pizzas, which includes classics as well as more imaginative creations. Then there's prime-quality burgers, ribs, wings, southern fried dishes, and sharing platters. There's a lot of tempting options here but we narrowed it down to our top three.
The No.1 Burger (£8)
Look at this and tell us you don't want to take a massive messy bite out of it. The 8oz pattie of lean beef was juicy and thick, the home-made sauce was creamy and piquant, the cheese was tangy and oozy. We devoured it all in about four bites.
Salami and Broccoli Pizza (£11)
An odd pairing that works like a dream. Thinly sliced, spiced salami is scattered amongst purple stemmed broccoli and buffalo mozzarella. The dough is made fresh in the kitchen, giving it a springy, soft freshness.
Ribs with slaw and fries (£10)
These flavoursome baby back ribs are slow-cooked for eight hours to produce that falling-off-the-bone succulence. They're drizzled in a home-made smoky BBQ sauce and served with a side of peri peri skinny fries and finely-chopped slaw. So good you might have to order the full rack at £16.
No.1 Watson Street, Great Northern Square, Manchester, M3 4EE.
