The Pen and pencil is a great venue for breakfast/brunch. It has very social tables with benches that can easily accommodate 8 people. The menu is a little different to the usual breakfast/brunch fare, although there are some breakfast type things on there, the eggs benedict are very good, I was told. We were there on a Saturday and Sunday morning around 11ish, it was busy without being rammed.
The music is just the right level, low enough for you to discuss the night before, but loud enough that you don’t notice the ringing in your ears! The service is good, the waiter was able to describe every dish very well and seemed genuinely interested when he enquired whether we were enjoying our food.
The smoothies are interesting, I loved the “Welcome to Americana” – peanut butter, banana and a little chilli! I am told the “Salted Caramel” is good too. I also recommend the ‘Nduja baked eggs, warm enough to clear your head after the night before. The “Eggs Pen and Pencil” is good too, really good hollandaise. They do a “Bottomless Brunch” for £40 where you can eat and drink as much as you like between 10am and 1pm. That sound like it could get messy!
Hilton Street is a trendy side road about 5 minutes away from Piccadilly Gardens and even less from the rail stations, you will know you are getting close when you start seeing street art dotted around the walls. If there is a group of you and you are staying in separate hotels, it is the perfect place to meet your mates the following morning! Recommended!
The London Lark! 
I think it’s a breath of fresh air to have a breakfast place with different items. It is one meal that can become boring without a little bit of imagination. With the music at a decent level, no one will have to yell to each other for conversation. Says great.
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True, loud music is the bane of breakfast!
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That banana and peanut butter smoothie sounds heavenly. Thanks for another delicious review, Nick.
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Thank you!
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It used to be a brilliant coffee shop called Drip and I was sorry that closed so I resisted going there for ages – silly as I live just round the corner! Once I’d been in and tried it, I was impressed. I’d agree with what you say in your review. The food is tasty and a cut above most brunch-type fare. Very friendly staff too. The design of its signage gives the impression of somewhere very ‘showbiz’ and noisy when in fact it’s peaceful and mellow. That sign over the door is the noisiest thing about it, in fact!
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I’m glad you agree! I have to say that, every time I go back to Manchester I find another good restaurant or venue.
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That’s because there are so many! (Two other chop houses for instance and some of the best food from India you’re ever likely to have)
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Oh great!. Recommend me an Indian for next time I go up, please! Somewhere quite central if possible. Cheers!
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Very easy. Bundobust on Piccadilly Gardens has stunning vegetarian street food and then there’s Indian Tiffin Room right by HOME. A play and a meal in about 14 strides!
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Brilliant! Thank you, I will try one of them next time. Cheers for the advice.
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Any time! 👍
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[…] Street which is less than a ten minute walk away and has a number of interesting cafes, including The Pen and Pencil, 57 Hilton St, Manchester which we really […]
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