The Black Friar — Restaurant in Salford

Visited the Black Friar pub today for lunch on the way back to Mcr from a work thing in Lancaster (of all places 😀). I wanted to go there after seeing BeardMeetsFood do their ultimate pie challenge...which I will come to later!

Anyway...I was with 1 other and we booked a table for 215pm in the beer garden with no fuss...and also snagged parking within 100 yards of the pub! (There is actually 2 NCP open air car parks just around the corner if you can't get street parking)

First impressions were great...what looks like an old victoriana pub from the outside turns into a top end gastropub/restaurant inside...it really is a place that exudes quality from the moment you step in.

Even better...what they describe as a beer garden is more like a VIP mini-oasis! The weather was great on our visit but even the pic I took doesn't do the outside space justice...it really is impressive.

We were seated promptly...and even when my dining companion asked to move to a table more in the shade, we were moved swiftly and with utmost courtesy.

I must say the service at this place was absolutely brilliant. Our waiter was a lovely guy called Will...and I would say he set the bar for what top quality service should be. I'm not talking Michelin levels of anality...but a combination of efficiency and friendliness that I seldom see anymore. If the management at the Black Friar read this review...Will needs a pay rise!

So to the food...as I mentioned earlier I wanted to try the pie at thisnplace after seeing BeardMeetsFood eat their massive £85/3kg filling pie on YouTube.

What struck me more than anything was that the pie he ate looked amazing...so I wanted to try the normal menu version.

We ordered 2 chicken, mushroom and panettone pies (with mash, greens and gravy) for £20 each...and because we knew that would be heavy we went for a few nibbles as opposed to starters beforehand.

To start we got some herb crusted mussels, a portion of fries with truffle and gran padano...and some olives that came with a black olive tapenade and a thin slice of sourdough toast.

Now here is the reason why I'm not giving the Black Friar 5 stars across the board. I've already said how nice the place looks and how great the service was. I will add to that by saying the pie main course was also AMAZING...some of the best pie pastry I've ever eaten along with delicious filling, superb gravy and mash...and greens that were cooked perfectly.

But...and this was so surprising....the starters we ordered were terrible! They weren't even average to be honest...simply bad. The mussels were horrible...baked with a crust that resembled green sponge...and the olives were equally poor. My base standard for olives is what you get at Nandos...and these were well below that. Plus the tapenade tasted 'odd' (ie not fresh) and the fries were average at best.

It was a real shame. I said to my dining buddy that of we had simply just ordered the pies then the Black Friar was faultless from top to bottom.

But we ordered starters...and they really let the side down.

Overall though...I still give this place 4 stars for food and overall and 5 stars for service and atmosphere.

💯 it's...

A Gastronomic Delight at Black Friar Salford

If you find yourself in Manchester with a craving for an unforgettable dining experience, Black Friar Salford must be at the top of your list. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was inviting, enhanced by the warm and friendly greetings from both the staff and host. The menu boasted a diverse selection, ensuring there was something tantalizing for every palate.

The service was impeccable. The waiting staff were not only knowledgeable but also eager to share their recommendations, making our choices much easier and more informed. The highlight was meeting the chef a friendly and personable individual whose passion for his craft was evident. His brief interaction added a personal touch that was much appreciated.

We indulged in a three course meal, sharing several starters and desserts among us. Every dish was a masterpiece of presentation and taste. The whipped smoked cod roe crumpet starter was particularly memorable, its unique flavor and excellent execution make it a must try. For the main course, I had the pleasure of tasting Black Friar's famous pie arguably the best pie I've ever had, with perfectly textured pastry packed with a generous filling. My partner’s beef fillet and oyster mushroom cannellini were equally impressive, cooked to perfection and bursting with flavors.

The side dishes, including truffle fries and peas a la francaise, were well executed with just the right amount of crunch. Dessert was another high point, with both the Salted Caramel Tart and the blueberry cheesecake leaving us delighted, though the tart was my personal favorite.

The ambiance of the venue matched the quality of the food. The beautifully designed restaurant features an open kitchen and a terrace that transitions into a covered area, offering an intimate setting that caters to all preferences.

The staff were consistently attentive, frequently checking in to ensure our experience was nothing short of perfect. Their friendliness and professionalism contributed greatly to our enjoyable vist.

Overall, Black Friar Salford is a gem that deserves all the praise it can get. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this place guarantees an exceptional dining experience. I highly...

Today 4.4.24, myself and a friend visited The Black Friar Pub. We sat down around 15:15, it was not busy but enough tables were occupied. We sat in the main rear section and ordered drinks not long later.

We both ordered the pie special for today which was chicken and mushroom and two sides with that. Half way through I bit down on something hard, the item was probably 2-3mm wide, tasteless and opaque to clear with a slight grey colour. I cleaned it and dropped it onto a plate, making sound like glass does when it clings on something and I did this three times to be sure of the sound that it made.

I called a manager over and explained it had come out of the pie (a pie that has been in a hot oven). The manager took it to the kitchen and a different manager was called through and then came to our table. He explained that it was “Salt”, further explaining it must have fell out of the grinder asking I had used it.

I explained I hadn’t and it was from inside the pie and was certainly not salt. It had been cooked and bitten down on and then made the sound of glass and looked like glass, I did not take a picture and I wish I did. I asked for it to be returned to the table and the manager stated “it had been destroyed and discarded already”.

I said that’s fortunate isn’t it and he shouldn’t have done that, he explained the chef had tasted it by crushing it! Continuing to say he will remove the pies from the bill, I explained that is not acceptable and would not be paying for anything as that was glass and he should not have discarded it.

He was not compassionate at all, in fact argumentative and when I said it was glass he argued saying we are at crossroads then, I agreed as he had discarded the item.

Highly dissatisfying from a reputable place along with how it was handled, this certainly let them.

If you are going, do not order the special pie from the current menu, you may get more than you expected.

As explained above I did not take a picture as I didn’t expect them to discard it before...