While THE Ivy at Spinningfields might be the one usually grabbing the headlines, there’s a lesser known Ivy that is stealing the limelight.
West Ivy is at The Rock in Bury and customers are flocking there to sample its Christmas menu.
It’s not massive, but it doesn’t need to be, because what is on it is simply so good.
There are a couple of starters, a couple of mains, a delightful sounding afternoon tea, plus desserts and festive drinks.
Had we known about the afternoon tea before arriving on Saturday, we probably would have opted for that, but it needs booking in advance, so we missed out there.
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(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
Its savoury treats include a charcoal mini-cheese burger, sticky bbq Coca-Cola chicken bao buns, gooey brie wedges with cranberry sauce, a mini ‘prawnstar’ martini salad and skin-on fries.
Plus you get the sweet stuff too, including gingerbread mini shakes, Ferreo Rocher profiteroles, Biscoff chocolate cinnamon buns, salted caramel tray-bake brownie and white chocolate berry roulade.
To wash it down you get to choose from tea or coffee, or mulled wine or pornstar martini – and there’s a bottomless option too.
Not wanting to miss out on the Christmas feasts up for grabs, I opted for the Festive Burger. At £17.95 I initially thought that was a bit steep, until the beast of a meal arrived.
(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
It comes with a beef patty, buttermilk chicken, a deep-fried stuffing patty, melted cheddar, cranberry sauce and a gooey brie dipper topper. It’s all served on a brioche bun with skin-on fries and comes with a side of gravy for dipping.
I instantly regretted my drink choice. I couldn’t resist the Biscoff Hot Chocolate, but it was so tasty and so filling, it may as well have been a dessert.
My burger was gorgeous, but eating it was a struggle – not just finding room for it, but picking it up in the first place. I eventually gave up and tackled it with a knife and fork. That was a new experience.
The meat was so succulent and with all the flavours combined, with the gravy too, it was like Christmas dinner in a bun.
(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
My companions kept things a little less festive. They didn’t actually fancy anything from the Christmas menu, but that wasn’t a problem as the main menu is still available too.
One opted for a flatbread triple cheese pizza, smothered with mozzarella, parmesan and halloumi. For £12.95 it was a generous size and she struggled to eat the whole thing too.
Although she had been dipping into the Southern Fried Basket that my daughter ordered. For £14.95 you get southern fried buttermilk chicken goujons, skin-on fries, onion rings, house slaw and sticky honey bbq dip. It was enough for two kids really, and it all got polished off between them.
Throw in a milkshake and a couple of soft drinks and there was simply no room for dessert.
(Image: Manchester Family/MEN)
Lots of people were tucking into them though and if we needed a reason to return it would be to try those Ferreo Rocher profiteroles that were being devoured on the next table.
It’s quite tightly packed inside the restaurant, but not to a point that it feels uncomfortable. Plus there are tables in the outdoor area which is covered and has heaters too.
There was no shortage of staff and despite it being full on a busy Saturday afternoon, service was quick and the food arrived quickly and piping hot.
It might not be as well-known as Manchester’s Ivy, but it certainly should be. You can check out the full menu, or book a table on the website here.
