Simple, Manchester

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Brunch is the ideal meal for students who aren’t out of bed bright and early – in Manchester the Northern Quarter is full of perfect places to enjoy a mid-morning meal. Simple is one of the most popular restaurants, located on the historic Tib Street in the heart of the bohemian borough of Manchester. Affordable and relaxed, Simple offers delicious food throughout the day and has a great evening vibe with freshly mixed cocktails.

We sauntered in for brunch on Sunday and found the place almost empty at noon but by 1pm every table was occupied. The menu is full of comforting classics, from Nachos to meat skewers, halloumi and meatballs. I adored the nachos which arrived piled high with a generous portion of melted cheese, jalapenos and chilli, with sour cream, guacamole and salsa on the side. The toasted artesian bread with roasted vegetables and halloumi was good too, though needed a little extra seasoning.

We were feeling full but a second course was on its way, a big burger for me, and a steak for my friend. Huge, huge plates arrived, the challenge seemed unsurmountable. The sirloin steak was cooked as specified, a lean thick slab of meat accompanied with a deliciously creamy peppercorn sauce. The burger was not special, a little overcooked with unsatisfying toppings. Chunky courgette fries were a healthy alternative to chips; corn on the cob and homemade coleslaw is also available.

Next door the same company own FYG Deli and Wine Bar, a super cute hang-out for delectable snacks and a glass of vino.

We left Simple more than satisfied with stomachs bulging, ready for a nap on the train home to London.

More information here: www.simplebar.co.uk

Many thanks to Manchester Tourist Board for their help with this trip, more information here.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with Virgin Trains.

Typical journey time between London and Manchester is just 2h 7m on one of the state-of-the-art tilting trains, six days a week. Engineering works slow things down a little on Sunday mornings, but by lunchtime they’re operating services – at 2h15m – just a shade slower than Monday to Saturday. Trains every 20 minutes, six and a half days a week.

Booking in advance and travelling off-peak is the best way to get great deals – including some fantastic First Class bargains. Single fares start at: Advance Standard £12.50  and Advance First £38.00, book here.

White Lyan, Hoxton

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As the prohibition bar trend begins to recede, cocktail purveyors look for new ideas to tempt customers. White Lyan is certainly unlike any other bar I’ve visited… award-winning mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana has created a bar which does not stock nor use perishable ingredients, omits ice and avoids all branded products. For his first solo venture he has challenged himself to a tricky task of concocting brilliant cocktails without any of the usual components.

The drinks are thoughtful and clever, most of the hard labour is done before the doors open… bottles of refined and rebuilt spirits sit scientifically in the fridges behind the bar. It is experimental but understated mixology, and it is certainly a lot calmer behind the bar without all the ice crushing and lemon zesting. When it comes to substituting the usual elements of ice, sugar, egg white and citrus, Ryan has an answer: a fragrance atomiser which adds zing to some recipes and a small electrical mixer used as a thickener to recipes that need it. There were moments when I thought, wow these cocktails are great, but wouldn’t they taste even better with the forbidden fruits.

The no frills, simple venue has retained many of the previous pub’s features, the focus is on the quality of drinks rather than a fancy interior. It is a notion I appreciated and understood. The price point is noticeably more reasonable than the competitors: cocktails are £6-9 each. The Moby Dick Sazarac is already a firm favourite made with rye, Peychaud’s bitters and absinthe-soaked rice paper. It is a tasty and exceptionally well balanced drink; I found the floating particles of ambergris (sperm whale secretion) rather distracting… but apparently it is crucial for adding texture and body. The Lyan Club Cocktail was rather more delicate – a lovely combination of Mr Lyan Gin, turmeric and red apple shrub, and soda. Off menu we tried various other wonderful concoctions, and I can recommend the Gimletto, Shurbo Tandy and the White Lyan take on a Whisky Sour.

Located in the less trendy end of Hoxton, you have to look hard to find White Lyan. I’ll let you decide whether Ryan’s creations are crazy, cool or clever; one thing’s for sure… everyone is talking about this new cocktail concept bar in London and I think it deserves the hype.

More information here: whitelyan.com

Hot on the Highstreet Week 200

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Chiswick High Road has an assortment of dowdy clothes shops between the friendly cafes and restaurants that populate this West London thoroughfare. When I first spotted the Me + Em shop, I was instantly drawn to the name, it is a phrase I say often as my best friend’s name is Em! The Chiswick branch is just a pop-up boutique, it is the dainty shop on Connaught Street that you really need to visit for a full array of the chic and comfortable, candy-coloured clothes.

Me + Em offers ‘understated luxury for women with understated style’ hoping to provide all the essentials we need for an effortlessly stylish wardrobe. The brand was launched in 2009 by founder and creative director Clare Hornby and has gone from strength to strength since. Classic tailoring and luxurious fabrics are of the utmost importance throughout the collections. I love the wearability of the garments and the fact that the pieces look lovely alone or grouped into a full outfit. They are reminiscent of Parisian shapes and styles but with a pinch of modernism and fun.

Recently Poppy Delevingne has shown a particular interest in the brand, gallivanting around in Me + Em baggy cropped jumpers and the cashmere comforts. I’ve selected three of the tops to highlight the practical and pretty versatility of the current collection. The nautical Contrast Sleeve Jumper is great for casual or smart occasions. With a structured boyfriend cropped cut, white body with dark navy sleeves, it is striking but elegant, and being 100% cotton, it is easy to wash and comfortable. My eye instantly was drawn to the bubblegum pink Box Cardigan hanging on the shop rail. An addictive bright hue, this cardigan has been amazingly popular with both customers and staff. Made from fine merino wool it is delicate and thin but warm and versatile. Particularly pretty paired with a white silk shirt, it will be a cheerful addition to any ensemble. The pale blue is beautiful too, and ideal for a fresh Spring look. The Box Hoody is the most luxurious of the tops on offer. Made from gloriously soft 100% cashmere with a snuggly hood, it is the ideal relaxed but indulgent weekend garment. Available in a variety of colours customers can choose muted shades: pale grey or sandy beige, or for a more grown up look, black is on offer too.

Me + Em make my kind of clothes… adaptable and stylish, I wanted almost every piece in the store.

Buy Me + Em clothes online here.