I like to go out for my birthday. Because I’m a grown up I don’t always get to go out on my birthday itself but, you know, the intention is there. I’m pretty sure we just did a takeaway this year but last year I got to go to Sanaa in Animal Kingdom Lodge and that was pretty amazing. But enough about the past, let’s talk about the future. Just to drop hints for anyone reading: I want to go to V Rev.

We actually got to visit a couple of months back when we were in Manchester. In fact we went twice in one visit. Kate got it into her head that she wanted to try Doughnut Stop Me Now, a chicken burger with cheese and bacon. Served between two doughnuts. Personally it would have killed me but it only seemed to make her stronger.

I rather sensibly opted for a hot dog. With bacon, fried onions, bbq and ranch. And because that wasn’t enough I had loaded fries with cheese sauce, buffalo sauce, more ranch and more bacon. And then we split some mozzarella sticks.

All of this food, by the way, tasted absolutely phenomenal. That hot dog was the single best hot dog I’ve even had in my life, and I eat a lot of hot dogs. The sauce was perfectly balanced between sweet, salty and smokey. The mozzarella sticks, which I felt were a bit tasteless and boring the last time I visited are now perfectly melted with a crisp outside. The tomato dip compliments them really well.

So once again, just to drop the hint for anyone reading, I want to go back on my birthday. Even if we don’t make it on the actual day. I can cope. Just sometime that week. Do we have a date?

Rather than cook something spooky I went out to eat for the last day of vegan mofo. I went back into Manchester to check out the amazing vegan options at The Pasta Factory. I know you’re probably confused about what The Pasta Factory serves, so I’ll let you in on the secret. It’s mostly pasta. Delicious, amazing home made pasta. But first for the Antipasti. 

I wasn’t actually going to order anything but the pasta. I couldn’t really resist this one though. Look at it! They make that cheese themselves. It’s brilliant. I can’t forget to mention those crackers, they are also homemade and really flavourful which goes great with the more neutral tasting cheese. 

Bucatini was my Pasta of choice, dyed playfully green from spinach and covered in tomato basil sauce. It was just perfect. Incredibly tasty. Very filling. And a great end to both Vegan Month of Food and my trip to Manchester.

I was going to post something suitably profound today as we’ve been challenged to come up with a meal to serve our favourite historical figure. I couldn’t actually think of a historical figure that I’d want to cook for and anyway I’m not in my own kitchen right now. Instead I’m going to tell you about a fake historical figure, based on a tram stop, named after a school, named after a real historical figure none of which has any relevance to the food I’m going to show you.

Abraham Moss, founding father of the Metrolink

Nine years ago I was living at my Dad’s, near Bury, and Kate was living in Torquay. When she came to visit I met her at Piccadilly station and we got the tram into Bury.

“Did you know,” I said, in my best believe me I’m adorable voice, “Abraham Moss was the man who invented trams? That’s why they named a Metrolink stop after him.”

“Really?” Replied Kate

“No, don’t be daft, I’m just kidding.”

And that’s how Kate first learned the concept of affectionate teasing, a favourite Northern pastime. Abraham Moss is named after the school which is named after a former Lord Mayor of Manchester.

Real Food 

I’m staying at my Dad’s right now so I’m taking the same team route in and out of Manchester for visits and shopping and food. On Friday I popped into Manchester to try a pie from Pie and Ale. They have three different vegan pies available and they’ve been making my mouth water all over instagram. I went for the Hosin Butternut Squash Pie with wedges on top rather than mash. The pie was lovely, the hosin went really well with the gravy. The pastry was incredible.

The service was great too. When I ordered I was asked if I was vegan. I said yes and was warned that the mushrooms in my pie had a really meaty texture but not to worry because it’s 100% vegan. I thought that was lovely.  As I’ve still got two more pies to try I’ll have to go back for another visit.

I don’t really brunch. Don’t get me wrong I love brunch food and Vegan Brunch is one of my favourite cookbooks but I very rarely eat brunch. I do however indulge in the great British tradition of the All Day Breakfast.

The All Day Breakfast – in all of the caps – is exactly what it sounds like. The deliciousness of breakfast at any point of the day you choose. I got this one from the one from Manchester Vegan Cafe and Wellbeing Centre where it’s currently a special but they have no plans to take it off the menu. The breakfast itself was great, the service was absolutely lovely and my breakfast and a drink cost just over a fiver. Awesome.