After a rather disastrous stint as retail blackhole The Triangle, The Corn Exchange has reverted back to its old name, and now plays host to several quality restaurants nestled around its walls, including The Cosy Club, which I'd only heard about, but in passing thought I would give a try, after the menu outside proved tempting, and the idea of it being a casual lounge type affair.
The funny thing is that as soon as you step inside, the décor IS decidedly "cosy", flock wallpaper, old framed artwork and tasselled lampshades and various curios surround a staircase leading upstairs (there's a lift too).
Walking into the main bar area was wonderful, as the theming continued, opening up into a large domed area with a bar and lots of seating, the wood panelled walls full of old framed portraits and stuffed and mounted deer, all the way up to the ceiling. The best description I could give to this theme was that of a Colonial hunting lodge or an old gentlemen's club. It felt very classy but also very comfortable.
This is the sort of theming I love, and if I'm honest it reminds me a little of The Adventurer's Club at Walt Disney World, and believe me that's a good thing! I was greeted by a friendly member of staff who introduced herself as Stef, and asked where I'd like to sit. As it was quiet it seems that the main bar is used as the restaurant, as the restaurant section itself is sprawling, with a huge amount of additional seating, continuing with the theming throughout.
I chose to sit by the balcony, which gave some great opportunity to people watch over the rest of the interior of the Corn Exchange. I noticed there was a Connect Four game on my table, and although I moved it, Stef told me how they have board games and the such if anyone fancies playing (and later I saw a group of three Korean diners thoroughly enjoying Connect Four, and laughing). She left me with the food and drink menus and said she'd be back.
I was really pleased to see that the drinks list had a good range for those of us who don't drink, not just the usual Coke/Fanta/Lemonade options. The item that really caught my eye was Watermelon Iced Tea, so I ordered one!
It was fabulous! Really tangy and delicious, it made your eye twitch, and was made by a genuine man with a genuine beard at the genuine bar, it wasn't from a bottle. Lovely! I would get this again without question, although Stef also recommended next time I try a berry concoction which is also proving popular.
The menu is full of delicious temptations, from an extensive brunch menu, to sandwiches. panini, burgers and tapas. The puddings look pretty damn good too. Next time I think I'll try the game stew from the mains menu. It's a sign you've enjoyed a place when you find yourself already planning your choices for next time!
However, this time I ordered the buttermilk fried chicken, which came with chipotle mayo, house slaw, and triple cooked chips, and for less than a tenner at that. Stef also said it was no problem to replace the chipotle mayo with standard mayo, as I'm a big girl's blouse and don't like spice very much.
When my food came out, I'm glad I didn't opt for any side dishes as this was a big portion! I was pleased to see that for 'fried chicken'. it was actually not battered but instead coated in a wonderfully crunchy breadcrumb, and gigantic in size, taking up over half the plate. It reminded me more of a schnitzel, but either way it was delicious, juicy and tasty.
It sat on top of a portion of triple cooked chips. Now if you've been to restaurants in the past few years, you'll see that everyone and his grandma claim to offer "triple cooked chips", but they rarely are, so to find somewhere that really DOES do triple cooked chips, and does them properly is always a thrill, and Cosy Club do just that!
The house slaw was nice, but I'm a bit of a traditionalist and prefer it with a mayonnaise rather than a dressing, but it was still good, with lots of flavour.
Before paying, I went to have a look around the expansive restaurant section, where I found lots more tables, but also some quiet and private area with armchairs and sofas, which again felt wonderfully cosy. I also found the beautiful glazed tile staircase leading down to the toilets.
I paid for my food at the bar, and spoke to some other staff members, including the man with the beard who I informed was a dead ringer for one of the portraits on the wall (if it included hipster glasses!). They were friendly and told me how the theming was achieved, treasured they'd found, and how the group of 5 mounted deer heads over the bar were affectionately referred to as One Direction.. They also told me that the glazed tiles on the staircase are pre-war, and from the glory days of the Corn Exchange itself. They work perfectly with the theming of the Cosy Club, that's for sure.
I will most definitely I've already picked what I want! I might even pop in just for a pot of tea sometime! :)
Make a reservation
Order online
Find the best restaurant in Manchester
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes