A Northern Quarter café has launched its unique festive menu, including a Christmas dinner with waffles, dirty fries with gravy and other quirky twists on seasonal specials.
Fress, which takes its name from a Yiddish word meaning 'to eat gluttonously', has made a name for itself for offering a European-style brasserie menu in a 'modern Victorian look'.
The Christmas menu will be available from December 3 to December 24 from 4pm between Monday and Saturday.
The hero dish is their version of the classic Christmas dinner; turkey on a stack of fluffy waffles, served with honey and maple glaze carrots, cranberry jam and mulled wine gravy, Jack Daniels glazed pigs in blankets, turkey and gravy dirty fries.
Luckily for vegetarians there’s a version for them which swaps turkey for deep-fried brie, and replaces the pigs in blankets with nut roast stuffing balls.
There is also a sweet brunch option which involves Christmas pudding pancakes, vanilla ice cream, cinnamon and toffee cream cheese frosting, topped with a gingerbread crumble.
Festive food can be washed down with a small but exclusive menu of cocktails priced at £9, including The Grinch which is made with Midori, Triple Sec, white wine and lime and ginger ale, topped with a candy cane, or the Frosty the Snowman which is mixed with coconut liqueur served in an almond and white chocolate snow globe.
There’s even Naughty Elf Shots which are ‘dressed for Christmas’, with the choice of white rum or malibu shots topped with mint, almond and strawberry syrups.
The family-owned independent venue was revamped during lockdown from a cafe into a restaurant and bar with a new menu and a range of cocktails. It has since become popular with customers in the evening as well as at lunchtime.
Owner Hayley Salim said: "We're serving Christmas-style comfort food like waffles with mulled wine gravy and Christmas pudding pancakes. We also have Christmas shot trays and cocktails."
One reviewer said: “I visited here midday on a Sunday and got seated straight away. Friendly welcoming staff, the place has a modern feel with a retro twist.
“Food was excellent - vegetarian big breakfast - coffee was great too. Didn't have to wait long even though the place was doing good business. I will definitely go there again, a great place with a relaxed vibe.”
Another added: “Went here for Sunday brunch. Cute little courtyard out the back.
“We had the special, which was cheeseburger fries. Absolutely delicious. Another table had the buffalo chicken burger and that looked incredible.
“Ordering that next time. Took some brownies home and omg the cornflake tart brownie is one of the best things I ever eaten. Absolutely love Fress. Food is top notch and reasonably priced.
“Staff are super friendly and attentive. First visit but definitely won't be our last. Keep up the good work guys.”
Fress is located at 62 Oldham Street, M4 1LE. For more information and booking options visit their website here , and their Instagram page here.
