This week Blog Preston was invited to Chew’s Yard try a couple of the new options on offer as they launched their new Sunday Brunch menus.
From 10.30am on Sundays, diners can now visit the venue in Market Street West and while away a few leisurely hours, perhaps listening to live entertainment that may be held a little later on, or having a mooch around a record fair or other event that might be taking place in this vibrant and versatile space.
It’s also a great place for people watching, and this week there seemed to be a Halloween-themed magic show going down a storm in the event space next door, with the occasional micro-Wednesday, vampire or zombie wandering past our table, interspersed with some excellent dogs and the relaxed owners of both the children and animals carrying beers from the Escapade bar and some quite spectacular looking food.
Some of the interesting brunch options include:
- Where’s Wala’s Menemen mene mene mene menemen for £10, which constitutes toasted milk buns and spiced eggs cooked in masala sauce, natural yoghurt, chilli oil, and coriander
- Seitanic’s soy marinated tempeh bagels for £9, with the sourdough bagels made from scratch by Wild Yeast Club
- Trough’s bacon and cheese croissant brunch tray bake with vine tomatoes and beans, or their French toast-style mixed berry croissant brunch tray bake with sweet vanilla and cinnamon custard, served with whipped lemon curd mascarpone, both at £8 each
- Chamo’s sunshine bowl for £9 with Greek yoghurt, kiwi, strawberry, banana, chia seeds granola and syrup
My companion decided on a Cluck Norris from Chamo, priced at £11. The toasted Belgian waffle, topped with crispy, juicy buttermilk chicken tenders and drizzled with hot honey and Parmesan was absolutely delicious.
I had a Full Inglish from Where’s Wala? – the best name for an Indian eatery that has ever existed – priced at £14.
It consisted of a soft, lightly-toasted brioche roll, two runny fried eggs, two lightly spiced sausage patties, two crispy hash browns, and some stunning masala potatoes, of which I could have happily eaten a bowl full with rice or a chunk of bread for tea. The items were sprinkled with spring onion, fresh chilli and coriander so I was able to choose how much of a kick I wanted from my breakfast. Everything on my plate was excellent but those potatoes really were next level.
As my companion was driving he had a latte and I had a Lancashire Red Snapper from Trough, priced at £10. It was a variation on a Bloody Mary, but instead of vodka it was made with local, award winning Goosnargh Gin – Chapter One, plus tomato juice, Lancashire Sauce, celery and a pinch of pepper. It was the perfect accompaniment to my spicy breakfast with the added satisfaction of getting in one of my five–a-day. It could have been two if I’d eaten the huge branch of celery that was sticking out of it, but there was zero chance of that happening because there was a Full Inglish next to it and I’m only human.
Chew’s Yard is a gem of a place, with every vendor in it holding their own. As they’re all small, independent units, gathered in one place, there’s more chance of everyone in a group being able to find something perfect for them on one one of the menus; the trade-off being that the meals will probably arrive at different times, so be prepared for that.
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It’s a casual, industrial set-up which means occasionally wobbly benches, fairy lights, disposable cutlery and food served on trays, and it can get loud and a little chaotic.
It’s basically just a huge metal shelter from the elements, so that’s something to bear in mind on a visit because it can get a little nippy in the winter, but dig out your woolies and don’t let it deter you from going to this fabulous little social space as often as you can, as the passion for local produce and the frequently free entertainment and events make it so much more than just a food hall.
Chew’s Yard is the sort of place that would be at the heart of a community in a town, where someone can walk in and sit down alone and either get chatting to someone or eventually see someone they know. It’s something that often seems to get lost once big towns grow into small cities, but one has turned up on Market Street West like a sunflower in a car park, and it’s a thing of absolute joy.
Go for a few hours. Thumb through the vinyls at the record fair. Have a wobble on a bench (physically, not emotionally). Ask the man behind the counter at Trough about the local produce he uses. Watch the food that goes past, and get hungry and excited for yours. Listen to some excellent music. Feel the nostalgic sort of atmosphere and buzz that has almost disappeared from social spaces. I don’t know quite how or why, but somehow it’s there at Chew’s Yard.
Editor’s note: This is not a review, we were invited along and Chew’s Yard knew we were coming
Read more: All of Karen’s reviews
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