Bury New Road, Whitefield
I’ve previously spoken
favourably of Northern Crafthouse, Whitefield’s trendy new bar and restaurant
which serves American and Mexican comfort classics. Since my first foray, I’ve
made several return visits of a morning to sample the brunch menu, which is
available from 10.00 am until 12.30 pm.
The place feels completely
different during the daytime. Each time I’ve been for something to eat in the
early evening, it’s been bustling, it’s been bustling, in stark contrast to the
quiet, relaxed atmosphere of a Saturday or Sunday morning.
The breakfast menu consists of
both English and American breakfast classics spiced up with a Mexican twist. On
my first visit, I had the Mex Benedict: hash browns on an English muffin,
topped with poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, chorizo, pico de gallo and
chipotle sour cream. It was deliciously tasty and stunningly presented. The
flavours all complimented each other beautifully to produce a rich, hearty late
breakfast. You wouldn’t expect chorizo and pico de gallo (a Mexican salsa which
tops just about every dish you’ll order at Northern Crafthouse) to work on an
Eggs Benedict, but it was a delightful twist.
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| Mex Benedict |
The second time, I had the
Avocado Toast. It wouldn’t generally be my first choice, as I’m not partial to
the tropical fruit. However, this version was mashed together with red peppers
and salsa. Basically, it was like eating guacamole on toast. Topped with two
perfectly cooked poached eggs, it was deliciously satisfying and healthy. The
poached eggs were an optional extra, as are streaky bacon, scrambled eggs,
guacamole, sourdough toast and an English muffin, all of which are available to
order with any of the dishes for an extra £2. Given that the brunches are
reasonably priced, my Mex Benedict costing £7.50 and the generous portion of
Avocado Toast just £4.50, you can afford to add those sneaky extras.
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| Smashed Avocado Toast with Poached Eggs |
On my third breakfast date, I
had the weird and wonderful combination that was the Waffle Benedict: a waffle
topped with poached eggs, streaky bacon, American burger cheese and hollandaise
sauce. The waffle was soft and fluffy, the eggs were perfectly poached and the
bacon was lean, soft and juicy, just how I like it. I didn’t like the idea of
the cheese at breakfast time, but it wasn’t overpowering, although, together
with the hollandaise sauce, it was a little bit sickly.
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| Waffle Benedict |
The Breakfast Pancakes, meanwhile,
I’d been to avoid. They appear to have everything piled on top of them: streaky
bacon, scrambled egg, blueberries and maple syrup. To me, this is two separate
and entirely different breakfasts thrown together. I’m very much of the opinion
that sweet and savoury foods should never combine, not even in popcorn, so I
can’t possibly imagine eating eggs and blueberries in the same mouthful.
Brunch at Northern Crafthouse
is a joy, and it could easily become a weekly treat. It’s reasonably priced and
superb quality food, which is always served swiftly. My favourite dish so far
has been the Mex Benedict. I applaud them for offering something a little
different on a chilled, weekend morning; there’s even a selection of brunch
cocktails. The hybrid pancakes are just one step too far.
Menus and photos can be found online at:
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