Aaron S.
Yelp
The Oast House is one of two New World Trading Co restaurants in the city centre, it is located in the central point of Spinningfields, just off Bridge Street and Deansgate via Wood Street.
The decor is like nothing I've seen before, it is: cool, unique, trendy, innovative - accessed through a steep ramp or steps into an amazing open area which would be great for beer and food in the summer, or you can go inside to a wooden hut with exposed wood and other cool aspects of decor including plaques celebrating Guinness World Records such as being the largest beer tasting event, involving 322 people back in 2013.
Tables are limited and as you can't make reservations which is unfortunate, you could often be left disappointed or to wait as the lower tables are even more scarce compared to higher tables mainly for beer.
My server was really friendly as NWC standards are usually, he explained everything even the 40% off January promotion and 241 on cocktails, but as I was working in the evening I decided to stick to water.
This is pretty much a bar, mainly down to the huge outside area and the limited area indoors as shown with the menu, it is pretty much a similar dimmed down menu to what you'd find at The Botanist, which is this company's main brand who have a location nearby on Deansgate. For example, the selection on the deli boards was smaller and they also didn't have the full range of Hanging Kebabs which sadly meant I couldn't order my favourite, chicken and chorizo.
I opted for the Red Tractor Half Chicken which is a 1/2 chicken with a seasoned rub, gravy and a good portion of chips. While I would have preferred some salad or coleslaw as well, I did think this was one of the best items on the menu.
My food was pretty good and the portion was good too, although I found the gravy to be a little thin and bland and while the rub was bold, tasty and favourable - there just wasn't enough! This meant some parts of the chicken tasted far too dry and unpleasant, I would have preferred the option to just have breast meat and possibly boneless too, but obviously this isn't possible with the rotisserie style dish.
My food was pretty good value though at £11.95 which went down to £7.17 after the January promotion, which unlike The Botanist you MUST have their app and loyalty scheme to use but it's well worth having regardless as you get 5% back onto your card to use off a future bill from February onwards.
I was surprised at the speed of service too, my food came out so quickly which was good however this was ruined slightly with a long wait for my bill as it just seemed one staff member was doing everything, with the others slacking off in a corner.
I'd say The Oast House is a great place to get a drink and snacks to utilise the outdoor area, but for food, it just isn't as good. The size is an issue as even on an afternoon it seemed overflowing and noisy (rowdy customers waiting, combined with music) and a little dark too (they dimmed the lights before 4 pm) and in these winter months it becomes an issue to sit outside. Brrr! 3*