For the past month I have been back home in England for family reasons. It’s been rough, tough and a bit crappy but being with family everyday has meant a lot to me and I am truly thankful for them.
Yesterday I wanted a little me time so decided to go and have a wander around Manchester City Center , do a little retail therapy and get some lunch. Let me just say I grew up in Manchester, I worked in Manchester for many years and I have had many a fantastic night out with friends but these days I am clueless. This city has changed so much over the last 20 years. I am like a stranger in my in own city and I have to google map everything just to get around. That said, I know exactly how to get to the stores ;).
We have a wonderful department store in Manchester called the House of Fraser, which is a bit like a Nordstrom’s or Niemen’s except better because it has wine bars and restaurants. You never have to leave!!
Pistachio Cake at San Carlo Cicchetti
After browsing their many floors and buying some darling LK Bennett shoes, on sale I might add (soon to be featured on Shoesday Tuesday), I popped back down to the ground floor, which houses a lovely restaurant called San Carlo Cicchetti.
While the restaurant was bustling with the lunch time crowd, I was the only person sat their long bar. I didn’t mind one single bit as I was entertained by the incredibly attentive staff while I dined on delicious Crab & Avocado Salad paired with a dry Sauvignon Bianco. I thought I would end my lunch with just an Americano until one of the waitstaff insisted I have some Pistachio Cake. I tried to gracefully decline as I don’t really like cake and dessert just didn’t appeal to me at that time, but she gave me a little taste anyway. Oh me oh my, it was heavenly! I had to have a slice.
The Pistachio Cake is not really a cake in the traditional sense but instead a three-layer, custardy, delicate mousse like dessert with a soft, crumbly base. Not too sweet, which I loved and not an overly strong nutty taste, which I loved even more. I rarely rave over desserts, but this cake is simply sublime.
If you ever find yourself in Manchester, I must insist that you stop by Cicchetti. You will not be disappointed.
