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| Advocado Halloumi & Lime on Sourdough RAWR V McGarvey cc by |
Alfresco: origins 18th century Italy, in the fresh air often referred to as a meal in the open air
A common occurrence in temperate climates is groups of people eating in the open air. One of my favourite scenes, when I am travelling, is an enthusiastic chattering group seated at a white-clothed trestle table partaking in gastronomic enjoyment. After a weekend of incessant torrential rain, following the hottest day ever, forcing our annual BBQ get together inside, having the opportunity to have an impromptu lunch outside, was an unexpected pleasure.
Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent's city centre, gets a poor press but there are many committed people trying to improve its reputation. Piccadilly named after London's famous street which runs from Stafford Street to Pall Mall, another London inspired street name, has experienced its ups and downs. When I was a teenager it was a busy street, Browns Coffee House with its great salads baked potatoes and heavy ceramic tableware, was a favourite of mine for lunch when I had my Saturday job at Littlewoods.
Like many city centre streets around the country, Piccadilly has also suffered from a lack of footfall which has resulted in businesses closing. Stoke-on-Trent city council has attempted to rebrand the area the Cultural Quarter as the Regent Theatre is also located on Piccadilly, the Potteries Museum is at the bottom and the Victoria Hall can be accessed via Cheapside off Piccadilly. Over the last couple of years small independent businesses, in particular, bars and cafes, have started to inject some life into the solemnity of the street. Some commentators have optimistically said that Piccadilly would open up the regeneration of Hanley but life is not easy for new businesses and sadly some have fallen at the Piccadilly wayside. The formula for the moment appears to be, not too big and to provide a complementary but distinct offering, not unlike the successful businesses of Shoreditch in London and the Northern Quarter in Manchester.
On my Monday vist to Hanley, it was great to see Piccadilly lined with tables for alfresco dining outside the cafes and bars. I had my lunch at RAWR which is towards the top end of Piccadilly beside the well known Bottlecraft Bar which sells a regular changing selection of craft beer, they make good neighbours. The food at RAWR satisfies both vegie and meat eaters, using ingredients such as sourdough, halloumi and quinoa. It is a departure from the traditional oatcake but there is room for all foods in the City centre, and you are never far from an oatcake, the Potteries Museum has a selection which is also opposite the excellent independent gallery Airspace. For me, however, a sunny day required a sunny menu.
For somebody who remembers Hanley's more welcoming busier times, it can be challenging finding chinks of positive redevelopment in the city centre, and I am sure I am not the only one experiencing a challenging relationship with their own centre. Sometimes you can be too close to something to see it with an optimistic eye but a bit of alfresco dining up 'Anley certainly helps.
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| RAWR Bottlecraft Neighbours Hanely V McGarvey cc by |