Today we are celebrating my Mum and Dad’s 5th anniversary… Happy Friday 13th! We headed into Manchester whilst we still had the chance. We were meant to be in Lisbon, but were worried we would get stuck out there with everything going on at the moment. We lost out on the flight money, but the owner’s of the apartment we were due to stay in refunded us in full, even though they didn’t need to. We were very grateful for that, but so so wanted to be in the warm spring sunshine of Portugal 😢
We wouldn’t let that get is down though, so a quick train journey and we strolled out of the doors of Piccadilly Station and down the approach, like so many times before. We were heading over to Viet Shack Restaurant on Great Ancoats Street or what we like to call Viet-nom nom nom! First of all though, a ‘quick’ stop (that means at least four pints usually) at the Piccadilly Tap. Housed in the iconic Gateway House, known as the ‘Lazy S’ to locals, the bar is just outside Manchester’s Piccadilly station.
Dad loves pubs near train stations. I don’t know why exactly, maybe it’s the mix of people in them, but they always have a decent atmosphere and this one is no different, with the added benefit they do very good beer. Their mission is to showcase beers from top brewers in the UK and abroad, all set in a venue you will want to spend time in. They succeed. The humans could sit in here all day. We often find ourselves sat at the bar drinking pints and that’s what we did today. Dad usual goes for the wheat beer – I think it was Weihenstephaner today – and when it’s on, Mum will have a Kostritzer Schwarzbier, which is a dark lager. Nicely glowing now and ready for some grub!
Mum and Dad had been to Viet Shack before… without me though! Outrageous! Manchesters’s answer to tasty Vietnamese street food, does not disappointment. We ordered off the lunch menu, which offered a main and a drink for £9.99, so great value. We kept it simple with a Cow Burger and a bottle of beer, but there are loads of traditional style dishes on the menu like Vietnam’s signature dish, Pho. You can also choose off one of their awesome Viet Fries. Think dirty fries on acid, loaded with your choice of meat and seasoned with their secret seven spices and homemade sauces. We got a side of Vietnamese-style beef steak. Yes! We strongly recommend you visit their Nam-chester based restaurant.
All full up and time for a couple of crafty pints just around the corner at Seven Bro7hers Beerhall. A very cool bar from the brewery of the same name. Loads of fantastic beers from the brewery itself (Dad loves their IPAs), plus loads of guest ales to try as well. I think it’s time to go home now… the humans are a bit typsy! Hiccup!