Bakerie
Susie Stubbs
Just like the bread it serves up, this carbs-focused eatery has become a Northern Quarter food staple.
When it opened in 2012, Northern Quarter eatery Bakerie appeared to be taking a bit of a risk. Although its premise was simple – to focus on bread and wine – its apparently misspelled moniker had the punters on its doorstep (OK, us) a little confused. Was it a bakery? Well, no, not really. Was it sponsored by a shadowy religious cult intent on converting the Manchester masses? Nope, not that either. As it turned out, its owners just fancied opening a place where people could meet, eat and socialise in unpretentious surroundings.
It didn’t take long for local dopes (OK, us) to latch on to its beguilingly simple concept
It didn’t take long for local dopes (OK, us again) to latch on to this beguiling simple idea: Bakerie is now one of the Northern Quarter’s busiest restaurants, its concept of simple, hearty food, served up in stylish surrounds and with a 70 bottle-strong wine list winning it fans across the board. It’s not all that surprising. The open plan restaurant, decked out with a mix of comfy booths and communal tables, offers more than just the odd slice of Warburton’s. Its menu features all manner of toasted goodness (rarebit on toast, anyone?), decent sharing platters (the sea board is particularly recommended), and a range of changing soups and stews. It’s just that the emphasis is on the carbs, with great hunks of bread baked fresh on the premises that are, frankly, good enough to enjoy on their own.
The wine list is extensive. Alongside the aforementioned 70 bottles are 24 varieties served by the glass, all decanted in an easy atmosphere. Round the corner, a smaller store sells bread and wine direct to take away; the smell alone must surely drive up sales. Bakerie is run by the folks behind three other NQ eating and drinking joints, Dough, Apotheca and the newer Pie & Ale, and so by now they clearly know what they’re doing. All in all, a good place to hang out if you fancy stopping off to break some bread.
