65 Upper Brook Street
Tel: (0161) 276 0911
Interior of restaurant
Initially, Gabriel’s Kitchen seems like an up-market builder’s hideout. On second thoughts, though, it’s a modern, stylish, deli-style café. The focus of the menu is fresh and healthy seasonal food that is locally sourced.
The restaurant itself is a warm, light and intimate environment with an open kitchen allowing you to peek at your delectable food as it is being made. With lumberjacks at work in collages on the wall, one realises how the wooden sleeper benches were transformed. Situated behind the hospital on Upper Brook Street, the location is central and with a take-out option, it is easily accessible.
The seasonal menu is influenced by a variety of transcontinental cuisines ranging from Lebanese chicken to a Liverpool Stew. Making a decision for breakfast could be tricky with a wide selection of well-priced and hearty portions on offer and not forgetting a free tea! It would have to be a toss-up between Greek yoghurt, American Pancakes or a traditional Full English.
For lunch, I opted for the flavoursome trofiette pasta with roasted pumpkin, which was wonderfully refreshing – Halloween leftovers definitely not! Stirred-in red onions, a peppering of pine nuts and a sprinkling of parmesan added a delicious Mediterranean twist. Having never tried trofiette pasta I was delighted I had – the small noodle-looking twirls seemed perfect for the dish.
My friend chose well by ordering the char-grilled burger with wild rocket, red onion, mustard mayonnaise and red cabbage slaw. The lean Derbyshire meat and mixed salad were the perfect accompaniments with the chunky hand cut chips.
It is clear that the owners are environmentally responsibly and ethical options such as fair-trade tea and organic produce regularly appear on the menu.
If it’s a quick bite to eat you’re looking for then the handmade, gourmet sandwiches and wraps might tickle your fancy. Rustic tomato ciabatta bread is no doubt the ideal base for organic Lancashire cheese finished with red onion marmalade. Or perhaps you’d choose a wrap of roasted new season vegetables with feta cheese which is bound to send you to heaven for a moment or two.
The service is swift, welcoming and friendly: order at the counter and pick up your own cutlery before taking a seat wherever you like. A cosy terrace outside can be enjoyed on those slightly warmer and sunnier days whilst you’re enjoying well priced and well portioned dishes be it originally from Morocco or Manchester!
Only opened in February this year, Gabriel’s Kitchen hasn’t failed to make a good impression by having already bagged itself an award for healthy and sustainable eating. It really was a pleasant surprise to discover the restaurant and a pleasure to eat such imaginative dish. Quick, simple and very effective – I was satisfyingly stuffed.
4/5
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