Brunch nowadays is a big a thing.  When I was a young un, you either had breakfast or lunch.  11am was one of those soft baked Elevenses bar and the most you could get for your brekkie was a big fat fry up, a croissant (or pain au chocolat) or some Coco Pops.  I’m not complaining but on the other hand, I’m extremely grateful for avocado on sourdough, Eggs Benedict and Breakfast Sliders.

You heard right, Breakfast sliders.  What’s better than a overly greasy sausage, egg and cheese bap (bun/roll/barm) from the local cafe?  Pen and Pencil’s Cheesy Sausage Egg Sliders.  That’s three mini but gooey and oozy slider buns packed full of breakfast goodness including sausage patties and Leicester cheese for £7.50.  Granted, this wasn’t my brunch order, but I did convince Dan to give me a bite (or 3) and I can confirm that they’re as delicious as they look.  Uber cheesy and a little sloppy to eat, but if you aren’t licking yolk off your fingers a la Curly Sue, have you even brunched?

If you aren’t licking yolk off your fingers a la Curly Sue, have you even brunched?

I’ve a new found love for corn cakes ever since my favourite local brunch haunt started including them on the veggie breakfast (that I add bacon to, FYI, don’t judge me).  The Cherokee Cakes, inspired by cooking from North Carolina, combines all of the things that I love: corn cakes, asparagus, pancetta, a cooked to perfection poached egg that just oozes into the hollandaise sauce.  And yes, I did Boomerang the yolk pop cos it was too good to miss.

Pen and Pencil is located in the Northern Quarter of Manchester on Hilton Street and is in good brunch company with Ezra and Gil and Evelyn’s just a 10 minute stroll away.  Pen and Pencil has a laid back vibe to it come daytime.  Its not uncommon to be chowing down on your brunch whilst someone sips away at a locally sourced Worker Bee Coffee in a window seat tapping away at what could only be an epic Instagram caption. Late afternoon come evening, the bar livens up and exchanges coffees for cocktails to become what Tripadvisor would call a “happenin haunt” to take on the mains menu and enjoy live music, quiz nights, 2 for £10 cocktails or sets from renowned DJs such as Wingman.   

If you find yourself in Manchester for an event, particularly of the music variety, you can count on Pen and Pencil to put on an excellent pre show party with discounts on food and drink, themed playlists and even honorary cocktails  (always a win for me).  We headed there prior to the Ed Sheehan gig at the Etihad and the super orange/ginger “A Drink” themed cocktail went down an absolute treat.

One last thing, because I know you all love a Bottomless Brunch and wanna get boozy with your Benedict… On the last Saturday of every munch, Pen and Pencil offer a Bottomless Brunch with a twist.  The price is a little higher than you’d expect, but for £40 you can fill yer belly with free flow food and drinks.   For three hours you can keep the food and drinks and coming and work your way through the entire brunch menu if you like. 

I mean, who wouldn’t?