johnkimsssg: Review: KRO Bar, Manchester ? Happli

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Review: KRO Bar, Manchester ? Happli

July 23, 2012

Price range: ?4 ? ?18
Cuisine: Danish / Modern European
Good for: Socialising / city centre lunch meetings
Dining options: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Outside Catering
?Hours: Mon-Fri 8am to late; Sat-Sun 9am to late
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Attire: Casual
Good for Children: Not bad, but it is largely a functioning, city centre bar
Takes Reservations: Yes
?Take Away with delivery: They do Outside Catering, but on more of a large scale
Waiter Service: Yes
Outdoor Seating: There is an outdoor area on the Piccadilly Gardens side
Alcohol: A well stocked bar, especially for continental lagers, notably pilsners.

I first became aware of Kro when they opened up their first bar on Oxford Road, near the University of Manchester. Initially I presumed naming a bar Kro was a fairly weak pun on ?crowbar? and it took me a while to appreciate the Danish derivation. Kro is, in fact, the Manchester operation of a Danish family that includes amongst its clan a chef who worked aboard the Royal Yacht for the Danish Royal Family as well as the London Hilton, and his son who worked at the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and the QE2. So, we are amongst esteemed company, and for a slice of something a little different in Manchester, Kro is a great bet.

KRO BAR MANCHESTER

Several venues have opened (and closed) in Manchester since that first bar and I have been to most of them, including their suburban locale in Heaton Moor. However, as I have meetings in central Manchester, I opt for the largest, flagship venue in Piccadilly Gardens, right in the heart of the city, to make use of my Happli voucher.

Happli offer, plus pint

A spacious and comfortable restaurant, Kro Piccadilly is a fabulous choice for a daytime meeting, over lunch or coffee. On a rare sunny day in the Rainy City, summer sun spills in from all sides, illuminating a contemporary, unfussy venue, with the Piccadilly Gardens side given over to more of a straight bar operation, and the Piccadilly station side functioning as a restaurant.

I arrive with a friend just after midday, but people are already filtering in, adding that much needed background of clattering cutlery and office politics conversation, the acoustic backdrop a restaurant needs to engender atmosphere. Once seated, the service is attentive and our drinks order promptly delivered, from the broad range of continental lagers on tap. Our waiter also informs us in good time of the day?s specials, at various price points: from mackerel sandwiches at the snackier end of the culinary spectrum, to salmon, as Kro?s fish of the day.

Waitress taking orders at KRO BAR

Being Danish, fish does indeed appear across the menu (as does pork and sausage and, of course, Lurpak butter) ? definitely a plus point, as seafood is my passion. I note with lip-smacking pleasure that Irish mussels come in at ?11.50 for half a kilo, but deciding to try something a little different, we plump to share the Danish fish platter (a meat option is also available, both at ?9.50), which contains a smorgasbord of fish flavours.

Danish fish shared starter

Moving onto mains, my friend manages to be sensible. Bearing in mind his planned afternoon trip to the gym he opts for the spiced aubergine tagine (?8.95).

2nd main - aubergine tagine

Having somewhat less sense, my eyes are drawn instinctively to the sirloin steak (?17.95), locally sourced from Cheshire, and matured for 21 days. My eyes win the argument and consequently do the thinking for my stomach. And while it?s a little tougher than the medium steak I?d anticipated, the peppercorn sauce sets it off very well indeed. As does the second pint of Budvar.

1st main - sirloin steak
Perhaps my menu choices are driven by necessity. The joy of ordering ?50 of food and drink for two is the need, in fact, to splurge. Kro has a commendable range of food options ? from pastas, salads, burgers, sandwiches and small plates up to their mains, so this voucher could as easily work a light lunch for four or, in the case of myself and my friend? a rudely proportioned lunch for two.