THE four-day weekend is nearly here. Which means twice as much time for lounging, snaffling and drinking more than we should. (Or is that just us?) Head over to Volta on Burton Road, West Didsbury where they've got the long weekend covered with their menu of small plates, Saturday brunch, Sunday roasts and a new cocktail menu. To help you with your Bank Holiday overindulgence, they’re open Sunday hours on Easter Monday (12.30pm until midnight) serving their best picks from the menu and some chef specials too.
Here's our round-up of what's happening. Book ahead if you're organised, though they always keep tables free for walk-ins.
Menu here. Book by emailing bookings@voltafoodanddrink.co.uk or call 0161 448 8887.
Small plates
Drinks with nibbles? Nibbles with drinks? Whichever way you frame it, Volta's small plates menu is your friend. Keep it simple with sour dough, olive oil and balsamic, or get a flavour kick from grilled chorizo with piquillo peppers, and Old Winchester cheese with quince. In the evenings the small plates menu gets bigger with dishes such as crispy lamb shawarma, and slow cooked belly pork with kimchi. Order a few for a full meal or as sharers for the table.
The People’s Lunch
Lifted from their sister restaurant Refuge in the Palace Hotel, the People's Lunch is a plate of something good and wholesome for £7.50. It's designed for workers but weekenders can enjoy it too on Good Friday and Easter Monday. The menu changes daily; past dishes include a bouillabaisse swimming with mussels, cockles, and sea bass; confit duck leg with beetroot and crème fraiche mash and a butternut squash pearl barley risotto with lemongrass and wild mushrooms (which was one of the most imaginative vegetarian main courses we’ve enjoyed for a while).
Saturday brunch and burgers
Volta's Saturday menu starts with brunch from 11am - options range from their own recipe granola to char grilled steak sandwich, Dovedale Blue cheese. There's also burgers (prime meats, interesting accompaniments), small plates and large plates. You're welcome to drop in just for freshly-baked cake and coffee – they do a fine selection of both.
Sunday Rare Breed Roasts
Perfect for Easter Sunday – these are served communal style to the whole table, giving you that family dinner feel, without the washing up. Choose from Himalayan salt aged belted Galloway sirloin, rare breed pork loin, thyme-roasted poussin chicken, and butternut squash ratatouille. They're all served with Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes and seasonal veg.
New cocktail menu
With all the focus on food, you might forget Volta is a very popular bar too. They've got their own pale ale, brewed in collaboration with First Chop Brewing Arm, and a new cocktail menu that aces all the classics. Go for a Parisian Martini, or a Mauritian Mai Tai. Or recover with their hangover-beating Bloody Mary made with their own chilli and coriander-infused vodka.
Group bookings
Going out with a big group? Congregate at Volta – their middle floor has big tables perfect for large gatherings. You can book a table (for food or just drinks). There's a bar up there too.
