Its decorations are legendary, but you might want to feast your eyes on the food
The Black Friar, Salford(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Anyone who’s seen The Black Friar pub at this time of year will know exactly where it is. Saying it’s hard to spot would be an understatement.
On the corner of Blackfriars Road and Trinity Way, on the border of Salford and Manchester, it’s become well known for its lavish festive displays and this year is no different. It’s even got its own post box for those letters to Santa that young diners are encouraged to write.
Tables get booked up pretty quick and despite it being mid afternoon on a very wet Monday, the place was packed when we arrived to sample the festive menu.
There are various places to sit, with cosy fireside tables and The Black Friar’s Winter Tavern, which has been decked out with glistening decorations as well as heaps of presents and other festive delights. There are also some cosy cabins outside which you can book for drinks.
The cosy Tavern inside The Black Friar(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
We were ushered to a table near the back, next to the pub’s spectacular bottle cabinet – where we spotted the new festive mulled rum as part of a team up with Salford Rum – and with giant baubles shimmering above us, it was the perfect spot for our mums and daughters get-together.
The menu isn’t huge – there are seven mains to choose from in all – but it’s varied enough to account for everyone’s taste.
In fact three of us went for exactly the same thing, the turkey Ballotine – a boneless cut of turkey filled with chestnut and sausage meat, with roast fondant potato, shredded sprouts, carrot puree and gravy.
The turkey Ballotine on The Black Friar’s festive menu(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
At first glance, it seemed a little small. I think we’re all used to seeing roast dinners like toppling towers these days and the fact the carrots were pureed too, meant even less space was taken up.
But there’s actually a lot more to this dish than meets the eye. The Ballotine itself is chunky and while turkey can sometimes be a little dry, this thing was so succulent, it fell apart with the slightest touch of a fork.
Never in a million years would I expect to get excited over some mushed carrot and shredded sprouts, but this combination, mixed with the delicious flavour of the sausage meat and rich, smooth gravy, means it’s really quite special.
The festive sticky pudding was delightful(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Other mains include steak and ale pie, stonebass fillet, roast chestnut and mushroom lasagna, chickpea and lentil meatloaf, and seared sea trout.
For an extra supplement, there also an 8oz dry aged sirloin which my friend decided on – and wasn’t disappointed with the melt in your mouth beef and creamy peppercorn sauce.
With desserts we were spoilt for choice and two of us took the waiter’s recommendation of festive sticky pudding, which is basically a jazzed up sticky toffee pudding with spiced dried fruits to giving it a bit of a kick and the most amazing toffee sauce we’ve ever tasted.
The black forest gateau(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
The others enjoyed the black forest gateau – white and dark chocolate ganache with cherry jelly and kirsch genoise (otherwise known as brandy flavoured light, airy sponge cake) – and a rather delectable butterscotch tart with a ganache-like dark chocolate and banana fudge sprinkled with sea salt.
There’s a vibe to this pub that others simply struggle to match. It’s fine dining without the fuss and when it’s looking as festive as this and tasting as incredible as this, you really can’t go wrong.
The festive menu is running until December 30 and costs £38 for two courses and £46 for three. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking is advised.