The Trof

What a difference a word makes. One of the Northern Quarter’s most iconic haunts has added a definite article to its name, created a first-floor dining room and gained a new lease of life. The Trof occupies a 19th-century red-brick corner building with a ground-floor bar that has a welcoming, lived-in air. Homely bar snacks include 'the best ever' Scotch eggs, pork pie or crab on toast. The first-floor dining room has large windows on all sides filling the space with natural light, plus comfortable leather seating, mahogany fixtures, polished wood floors and exposed brick – and a cracking soundtrack of Northern Soul and the like. The good-value menu delivers big flavours, with regional references and classic British staples. Full-on, old-school choices include hogget mince on dripping toast with anchovy and preserved-lemon dressing or pork collar, cabbage and bacon with beef-fat chips, plus less heavy-duty options including pumpkin risotto or aubergine schnitzel. The choice is yours. Just add open-mic nights, quizzes, music, great cocktails, wine and cask beer – and you’ve got to love a drinks list that includes ‘builders’ tea’.