Baltic Cellar

A return trip to Baltic Cellar — this time on a Saturday afternoon, and fully expecting their more limited lunchtime menu. However, this was not the case and the full evening menu was available to myself and dinner companion. As before though, a combination of Baltic, Polish and Russian food are all on offer. I opted for a Beetroot Salad to start with, which was served in an sundae dish — which was quite novel. Full on flavour though, with the beetroot dominating over the carrot, apple and garlic. My mains was Baltic Cod, which was cod and crayfish oven baked with spring onions, mayonnaise, tomatoes and with a breadcrumb topping — with a side of fried potatoes. Again, very tasty and very filling and so much so, that dessert was not required. Would love to try the pancakes with honey or cream on another visit. The service was excellent, and supported by a nice and relaxing music soundtrack. Still an undiscovered gem in Manchester.

If you want something a bit different, try here.
Some of the best chicken I have ever had. Really nice atmosphere and highly recommend.

I visited Baltic Cellar last night. It is near Olive Press just off Deansgate and down some steps but easy to find with the bright red signs. The space is fairly dark as you’d expect but large with a long bar so plenty of space to chill out and take in what is going on. We were treated to Russian salad (a little bland and needed more seasoning but fresh flavours) pork stroganoff (lovely lean meat in a rich and creamy sauce) chicken shashlik (juicy meat with a slightly charred exterior, really tasty) before pudding of honey cake (surprisingly I didnt think this was sweet enough, a little bland) napoleon cake (a layered pastry with cream, delicious and just lightly sweetened so as not to overpower the pastry) and chocolate cake (gooey, sticky and rich. The way chocolate cake should be).
There’s Tyskie for the beer drinkers and so many vodkas I dare you to try them all. They like it straight here and there’s some fine examples that are so smooth you can sip them with ease. Perhaps too much ease… the staff are friendly and efficient whilst happy to help you with any aspect of the menu.
It’s so refreshing to see something different in the city and I hope these guys are here to stay.

So the ‘Launch Party’ was a success — sort of.
Arriving and schmoozing as standard with pyro-​circus outside and slightly awkward but impressive contortionist inside (for which we were required to make a playground-​fight-​esque circle — cringe), we were seated to a large selection of meats and fish to start (which had been sat on the tables since before I arrived) and huge amounts of Polish vodka. Main courses were as you’d expect: Goulash, Saurkraut etc etc.
It’s a cosy place and has lots of potential. I’d like to go back as a paying customer, and in a month or so, to see if they polish (pun intended) up their act.
They’re in the centre of town, playing with the big boys, and if they think big, they’ll do well.