Emma Louise M.
Yelp
My mates love Gorilla. It's true. And I love my mates, therefore I've ended up there a fair few times when they've wanted a few sociable drinks. But I'm afraid I have to break its winning four star streak, because despite enjoying some excellent breakfast waffles, an adrenaline-to-the-heart cup o' joe, some great fries, an exceptional chilli-dog and a zingy smoothie during Dry January, there is something Gorilla does that is simply UNACCEPTABLE.
*Puts on hat of tradition and snobbery*
THEY SERVE WINE IN TUMBLERS.
Now, I'm not a wine expert by any means. Been to a few tastings, sure, and I know that if an eleven squid bottle is half price it'll probably taste better than a three bob one simply called French Red Wine, but generally if it tastes nice I like it. The problem is, even ignoring the science of wine and being able to view its legs and let it breathe and whatnot, it just looks a bit naff. It smacks of hipsterdom, it's obvs meant to be too-cool-for-school but it just reminds me of crappy teenage parties when we didn't know what we were doing. Wine glasses just look nice, simple as. For white wine you want to be holding the stem so your hand's not warming it, for red you want a nice big giant goblet. Or at least I do.
Not like Dry January's caught up with me or anything. Not like I have three bottles of wine next to my desk, nope.
Anyways, the other thing that gets me a bit 'mehhhhhh' about Gorilla is the sheer EXPENSE of its menu. We end up spending a bloody fortune only to be elbowed by hipsters in bobblehats and drink mediocre plonk. Or great plonk that tastes mediocre out of a tumbler. I wouldn't mind, but this is an outlet under the umbrella of Trof, and I still can't help but reminisce about Fallowfield and studentdom whenever I enter one of their establishments. A lot like Teacup, Trof was a cheap and cheerful wholesome simple kind of place with raggedy furniture until it went all gourmet and Williamsburgy on us. I'm pretty sure a pint of San Miguel set us back over £4. Showing my age now, indeed, but I always get snippy when I could be at home with a multipack of brewskis for the same price, not jostling for seats. God I'm gretting old, frugal and unsociable.
The food is great though. I'm not sure it's worth the pricetag but I've really liked everything I've had. It's a bar that feels very Northern Quarterly in a part of town that's really opening itself up, and I am glad it's so popular. It'll do nicely, but remember - it IS a Trof!