The Ivy - Manchester

Since the huge rectangular leafy building appeared in Manchester last year I’ve been dying to check it out.  

They say good things come to those who wait, and that felt true as we certainly celebrated in style for my sisters birthday! How beautiful is she by the way? 😍 

With each different floor tempting an array of sensations from different cultures and cuisines it’s difficult to make a decision where to eat! 

We booked the rooftop garden, which was absolutely perfect for such a hot and sunny day. It reminded us all of Neni / Monkey Bar in Berlin and I honestly felt like I’d been abroad on holiday by the time I arrived back home. 

There was a separate vegan/vegetarian menu and I choose to have the tossed Asian salad for starters and Keralan curry for my main. The salad was exactly my type. Crisp and fresh vegetables with just the right amount of sticky sweetness created through the watermelon and hoisin sauce. 

I laughed to myself as I chose the main. A sweet potato and chickpea curry is a basic staple meal you’re bound to find on many a menu as the vegan option in a non-vegan restaurant but you have to BELIEVE me when I say this curry was anything but basic. 

Full of flavour, just spicy enough for me (and I like a lot of heat) but with the chillies removed it would be just as tasty for somebody who isn’t a fan of hot stuff. The sweet potato crisps and coconut shavings added a nice element and provided a crunchy surprise. Served with fluffy Jasmin rice, vegan yoghurt and lime for the final cherry on the top. 

I’m a sucker for good sourdough! And this was gooooood sourdough. The salt crust definitely was decadent but hey, it was a celebration after all. They even provided us a cute box to take the rest away so I enjoyed the added bonus of toast with different toppings the next day. 

From the stunning emerald agate floor, to the meals themselves, even down to the bathroom - every detail was exquisite and I’d go back in a heartbeat xo