Foundry Project, Manchester – Industrial Chic
The Northern Quarter’s newest hangout has opened on High Street in the historic Old Smithfield Market. The restaurant and bar, formerly Bluu, has undergone a £500k transformation with a design inspired by Manchester’s industrial past. It’s about inventive, high quality food and drink from breakfast through to late night cocktails.
With sites in Harrogate and Edinburgh, Foundry Project Manchester is only the third in the UK and it’s been designed especially with the country’s coolest city in mind. The stripped back interior makes the most of exposed beams and polished concrete, but made welcoming and warm with varied textures and colours throughout – from plush leather booths and neon light signage, to copper ceiling features and richly coloured feature tiles.
The venue’s ‘zones’ run smoothly from laid back hanging out at the front of the venue to a more intimate vibe in the restaurant area where guests can book a table for lunch or dinner, to the basement bar hideaway built for late nights and killer parties. The basement space, with its own bar, can be privately hired for parties of up to 50. The main bar at the Foundry Project is very special with the UK’s first Estrella beer tank providing an impressive centrepiece. And the cocktail list is an inventive, eccentric collection with sixteen house creations.
Burgers are the house speciality with a magnificent menu of buns to please all palates – from classic Cheeseburger, to Lamb and Feta Cheese through to Crispy Chicken and their fabulous Bhaji Burger. Pizzas are slow proved and fired quickly in the ovens to get the perfect combo of crunch and chewiness. Signature Foundry Project inventions include Spiced Lamb and Aubergine and Peri Peri King Prawn, as well as some excellent classic options too (Mozzarella & Tomato and Peperoni & Nduja). For light lunch options, guests can swap half a pizza for a house salad with citrus dressing.
And for those just wanting to graze the day away there’s a great snacking menu including a range of tacos as well as nachos, wings and Haloumi Fries. Plus there’s a super salads menu with a choice of toppings for guests seeking, quick light healthy lunches.