Frank about Oddest...

For those evenings where the city centre just seems too much of a stretch to make it to, Chorlton has become one of my favourite places to hang as of late.

With an assortment of bars, eateries and promise of the best Polish bread around if you know where to go – you can’t go far wrong when in this neck of the woods.

My latest Chorlton venture took me to Oddest, found on Wilbraham Rd. Walking in, Oddest evokes the same friendly, “just popping round to my mates really cool-ly decorated apartment” vibe as its sister site nestled in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

We were greeted by smiling faces, like friend’s welcoming you home after a hard day’s work. We were taken to our table and given the rundown of the menu, our server Jamie advising us on the favourites and daily specials they had on offer.

“I really like it in here!” My friend excitedly exclaimed.

I had to agree. A mixture of plush couches, booths, twinkling lights and mosaic light fixtures (which I mentally saved in the “things I need to buy” folder in my head), made for an extremely snug ambience of which was effortless to sink into.

This picture I’m painting seems pretty swell up to now right? Just wait till I introduce you to the food.
Whilst many claim Oddest as their local watering hole, you’re seriously missing a trick if you don’t indulge in the food when you stop by.

The menu is an assortment of pleasantly surprising dishes, not ones you would commonly find on a bar menu alongside some of the usual suspects which include burgers and seriously stacked sandwiches.



We ordered grilled halloumi and three hummus small plates to tide over our dinner growls before succumbing to our main plates.

I am yet to find a place which can’t deliver a tasty batch of halloumi and this place is no exception. Grilled with rosemary and crushed garlic, Oddest serves up chunks of this favourable cheese delightfully.



The hummus came in three variants: soya bean, wasabi and pomegranate. I couldn’t fully appreciate the contrasts in flavours; however each one boasted a refreshing and tasty flavour – a great side order or nibble on the side of your evening drinks.

By 7 o’clock, every table at Oddest was engaged with patrons, happy locals and enthusiasts of the weekly Wednesday quiz. Its clear popularity made the atmosphere all kinds of jolly and fun, prompting the question; “Heck, why am I not already a regular here?”

Before long our mains arrived. Taking in our attractive plates, we excitedly tucked in eager to taste.



The seabass was excellently cooked; the soft and flaky texture of the meat contrasting with a satisfying crunch of crispy skin. The quinoa salad it reclined on was fresh and a light, with a liberal drizzle of pesto to prevent this otherwise bland seed from being too same-y and instead providing a humble base for the almost-buttery bites of meat.

My co-diner had opted for the chargrilled chicken burger. This was a handsomely assembled affair – a thick chicken breast loaded with salad, cheese and a slathering of pesto for good measure.



A “truly great burger” she commented between mouthfuls.

Her side order of chunky sweet potato chips were a welcomed addition. Thickly cut and delicately salted – if you’re just looking for a snack, I highly recommend you order these.

Sufficiently stuffed, we soaked in the rest of the evening over drinks, laughter and the occasional; “seriously how can we steal that tiled lamp without anyone noticing?”

As the evening slowly came to a close, we begrudgingly tore ourselves from our cosy new home away from home as we passionately exclaimed our resolutions to return to sample the quiz night (my 26 years of trivial pursuit training have been leading up to this moment).

The genuine and friendly attitude of the team behind Oddest is what I feel is partially the reason why so many flock to this Chorlton hideaway; the delicious food and charming decor are an added bonus and a sure splendid way to spend any evening you find yourself in the neighbourhood.

Give it a try and be sure to check out the quiz night, a regular Wednesday feature – I’ll even let you be on my team (so long as your promise to split some sweet potato fries...).

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Posted: Friday 4th November 2016
ID: 9355 - 1782