I ate at Coronation Street star’s restaurant and had one question

Coronation Street’s very own Jenni McAlpine, famed for her role as Fiz Dobbs since 2001, is the proud co-owner of a Manchester restaurant and tea room that has been scooping up accolades left, right, and centre.

Alongside her partner Chris Farr, Jenni opened the establishment in 2012, and it hasn’t looked back since, bagging the People’s Choice award for best tea room at the Manchester Tourism Awards, thanks to its delightful range of Afternoon Teas.

The venue’s excellence didn’t go unnoticed at this year’s Traveller’s Choice Awards Best of the Best Restaurants either, where Annie’s secured a spot in the top 10, a testament to its popularity among reviewers for 2024 across various categories.

Curiosity piqued, Manchester Evening News reporter Jenna Campbell ventured to Annie’s to see if it lived up to its stellar reputation.

She recounts her experience: “Entering Annie’s felt a little different. Stepping into what felt like someone’s front room – though most won’t have chandeliers and plush, button-backed armchairs – we noticed it was awfully quiet.

“The soothing hum of Michael Buble’s vocals could just about be heard coming through the speakers, but there were no customers.

“The private dining area was sectioned off too and we convinced ourselves that it was closed. A nosy downstairs and we eventually found our way – and the other customers.

“It’s hard to describe but there was no discernible theme to the space. There were more armchairs though and a little fake log fire at the foot of the staircase.

“Twinkling fairy lights and faux flowers cascaded from the ceilings, while theatre posters adorned the walls and light streamed through the pair of art deco-style windows in the main dining area.”

When it came to ordering, Jenna said: “Food-wise, they cover a lot of ground here. There’s afternoon tea, Sunday lunch and breakfast all before you’ve found the a la carte. There’s a pre-dinner option from £22 but the larger menu intrigued us.”

Describing the menu as “resoundingly Northern”, Jenna reveals that she and her partner chose the Bury Black pudding (£8.75), traditional hotpot (£15.75), and cheese and onion pie (£14.50).

The black pudding was served with some deep-fried halloumi, with Jenna commenting that it was “neatly arranged atop of a glistening piece of toasted bread and with a pot of chilli jam, it was simple but effective.”

She noted the hot pot was “beautifully presented”, with her dining companion noting that it “tasted like home.” Jenna said: “Really embracing our Northern roots, the cheese and onion pie (£14.50) was tested out too.

“About the size of my palm, this small but mighty dish with its golden shortcrust pastry isn’t like the slab of savoury goodness I’m used to with the cheese bursting through the seams, but it was quite simply terrific.”

“Rich, oozing and moreish, it’s exactly what we should be eating now. Gravy, chops and Annie’s beans – the latter gave the dish a bit of punch – rounded off the mains rather nicely.”

Jenna concluded her meal with a Jam Roly Poly (£7.75), stating: “I remember thinking as a child nothing could top the one we were always given on Friday lunchtime, but Annie’s may have knocked it off the top spot.

“The jam was sublime – the right balance between sweet and tart – while the suet pudding roll was baked to perfection.”

However, she did recall one downside of school dinners – the lumpy custard that she grimaced at when forcing it back. Thankfully, with Annie’s there are no bumps in the road, instead offering a velvety and smooth end to proceedings.