The Albert Square Chop House

The Memorial Hall,14 Albert Square, Manchester M2 5PF

Having been to Sam’s and Tom’s Chop Houses (staples of Manchester dining and champions of English cuisine), I took my parents to their newest incarnation on Albert Square. The beautiful building dates back to 1886, with a bar upstairs and their usual menu (the always excellent corned beef hash), with a new, fancier restaurant downstairs where we dined.

My parents don't really drink, unfortunately, but as with the other chop houses, their wine menu is impressive.

I plumped for Loin of venison with a venison faggot with mashed potatoes and spiced red cabbage. The big flavour of the meat stood out, and it was served pink in the middle. The cabbage was seasoned fantastically and the mash buttery. It’s a testament to the chef to allow the meat to be the star of the dish, rather than concocting an elaborate ‘jus’ or trendy flavour combination. 

The choice to skip starters proved to be a good one as mum has a sweet tooth and bloody loves a pudding. I decided on Steamed orange marmalade sponge, which was moist, juice and delicious.

The “a la carte” menu does not come cheap - the meal came to a little over £110 for four people, with only soft drinks. But considering the quality of food, it puts the price into perspective. 

The service was excellent throughout, and the decor looked great, with portraits of Manchester idols adorning the walls from a photographer whose name escapes me.

Unfortunately the place always seems empty whenever I walk past, seemingly still living in the shadow of it’s older siblings.