Barrio

Barrio bar and kitchen brings Mexican and a bit more to Chorlton’s foodie “barrio” (quarter) Beech Road, using locally sourced produce (Frosty meat; small-batch soy-free chickpea Tohu from Fu Fighters) and offering a secret south-facing suntrap garden out back to boot.

Brunch is a big deal and includes a range of Latin-inspired specials such as marinated steak and eggs with chimichurri, sweet tacos, filled with vanilla greek yoghurt, fresh berries, fruit compote and a sprinkle of granola, and the breakfast burrito – a flour tortilla filled with veggie chorizo, scrambled jalapeño eggs, guacamole, black beans, house hash and salsa. That should get you moving of a morning. Salads and light bites the likes of hot sticky chicken wings and corn on the cob with chipotle butter lead us lunchwards, or there are the “Plates”. Of course, there are three-cheese quesadillas and also a taco platter if you want to try them all and you’re with friends or super hungry (with friends, please, this is a lot of taco action for one person). There’s also half a Peruvian marinated slow-roasted chicken served with roast veg and a choice of sweet potato wedges or quinoa in the meat corner, or, in the fish corner, chipotle-seared salmon served with quinoa, wilted rainbow chard, pickled red onions and pumpkin seeds for a bit of crunch. There’s a good spread of vegetarian options, and vegan and gluten-free alternatives are available for most dishes (just ask) – we’re drawn to the cauliflower steak basted in smoky guajillo chilli vegan butter and roasted, served with charred spring onions and and tenderstem broccoli, roasted squash and courgette, salsa macha and a red quinoa salad.