Canvas Manchester

*This venue is permanently closed.

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas on Sundays on Oxford Road, and that’s all thanks to the homely aromas wafting out of the door of Circle Square’s Canvas. Now with Block Steak Shop in charge of the kitchen, this December they’ve switched up the Sunday roasts in favour of some market-fresh festive grub, as well as some great seasonal cocktails. 

Using local suppliers and sustainable businesses is a big part of the Canvas ethos, and that’s what’s on offer with Block Steak Shop’s three-course Christmas fiesta. They’ve also teamed up with Ten Locks Drinks, and made the admirable decision to donate money to Manchester and Salford Samaritans for every Gingerbread Old Fashioned and Spiced Mule sold this month. 

As for the food, there’s no better place to start than with some warm sourdough bread, smeared with rich, flavour-packed house-churned bone marrow butter, and some soft, salty padron peppers. Is it Christmassy? Who cares. 

However, one course that combines that festive feel with quite frankly out-there flavours is the fried buttermilk chicken, which comes with a sweet, sticky, chilli and cranberry glaze, and, most eye-opening of all, a brussel sprout slaw. Sounds wild, yes, and tastes marvellous.

The wild mushroom and truffle bruschetta is a beautiful winter work of art, thanks to the dark flavours and crunchy walnuts, but could do with some extra garlic and seasoning to really make it pop. 

When it comes to the main course, there’s locally sourced turkey and all the trimmings, or our favourite, slices of Bavette steak, served pink. As good as turkey meat is, it can’t compare to high-quality beef, tradition be damned. The accompanying bits fill the plate to overflowing, which we all love to see, and consists of – take a deep breath – carrot and swede mash, tenderstem broccoli, buttered greens, a giant bold Yorkshire pudding, bite-size stuffing balls, a fine pot of gravy and some of the best roast potatoes we’ve had all year. 

The whole meal is a hearty, belly-busting treat, but try to save room for the wonderful triple-chocolate brownie. It’s a decadent treat, and when it comes to sitting down with friends and family for a meal, that’s what Christmas is all about. 

The Canvas kitchen team are doing everything right this Christmas, as Santa will have no doubt written down in his detailed records. All the classics are there for those dyed-in-the-wool traditionalists, but there’s plenty on offer for those looking for something a little more out there. So that’s Sunday sorted, it’s over to you for Christmas day.