Mamucium

Mamucium makes it clear that when born in the North (from Stoke and upwards I’d allow), one is bestowed a certain privilege. We might not be the strongest, or the fastest; we might not get the best weather and admittedly we can get a bit brazen when someone tries to dispute our mandatory passion for The Smiths and Oasis. But what does come with these arguable perils is our natural authority on pies.

Our judgement of all things pastry encased is intrinsic to our northern being; and we’re not fussy about it. We can rate a Greggs, we’ll dabble in a Greenhalghs , Melton Mowbray is a pork pie first and a town second; and if any of the above are served alongside a pint of Vimto, well – you may as well declare Christmas has come early.

A collaboration with Great North Pie Co now means a miscellany of supreme-o pies are also yours for the taking

Mamucium, located at the entrance of Manchester’s Northern Quarter and Victoria Station adjacent has introduced something wonderful to their menu. Alongside the Beef Wellington for two and Dover Sole, their latest collaboration with Great North Pie Co now means a miscellany of supreme-o pies are also yours for the taking for the month of March.

Kicking off during National Pie Week, Mamucium added an addendum of four of Great North’s most popular pies to their menu, in order to find one perfect for a permanent spot on their menu. Patrons are asked to judge after their meal with a simple check box; the submissions of which are to be counted at the end of the month and the winning shortcrust landing it’s gig as an indefinite resident.

We were sat in a booth with views of the monsoon which taunted the streets of Manchester’s early evening, the perfect dramatic backdrop in my opinion, to consuming your fluid oz equivalent in accompaniment gravy. Red wine in hand, we picked from the selection of pies on offer and its accessories (two different types of potato, mushy peas and carrots for health).

The local beef and ale (braised for 14 hours, no less), was hearty and rich

Their arrival was humble, with the fanfare of sides trumpeting the table space. A platter fit for Kings, we excitedly dug in to our spread. The local beef and ale (braised for 14 hours, no less), was hearty and rich. Deliciously tender bites of beef, mingled with sharp yet sumptuous flavours; paired with mashed potatoes which I guessed was 70% butter, 30% spud – a without fault combination.

The surprising star of the show, was in fact the classic Lancashire cheese pie, complete with caramelised white onion and Japanese breadcrumbs, the pastry was sturdy and the perfect shelter against the molten cheese filling which begged to pour from the gates. It tasted like home, like cold nights made better, like comfort encased in happiness; and the honey-glazed carrots were just happy to be a part of it.

The surprising star of the show, was in fact the classic Lancashire cheese pie

The craftsmanship of a good pie is no coincidence; it takes passion and dedication to create a decent buttery vessel and at the peril of judgment of fellow northerners, Great North Pie Co pull it out of the oven every time. Mamucium as a facilitator of these delights create an ambience which accommodates the comfort of every bite taken, served with a smile – it’ll take the edge off any less than pie-fect day.

Don’t forget you have until the end of the month to vote for your favourite pie from Mamucium’s selection to see it nestled in to its permanent menu, if you vote and even share it on social, you could win a Posh Pie Sharers Board for up to five people. Do it for the love of the North, and don’t forget the hashtag #PoshPiesAtMamucium