Nestled in the heart of Manchester, The Sparrows is a restaurant, which has been on my to do list for a number of years. Recommended by lots of food lovers that I know, it is said to offer an inviting atmosphere and a menu that is bound to excite any food lover. In more recent years, like many good establishments in Manchester, it has caught the eye of national food critics, which have undoubtedly made it more sought after.

With my birthday weekend looming, it was a great reason to finally try it out for myself. My visit had its highs and lows, but let’s start with the star of the show: the Kase Spätzle.

This dish is a comforting delight, a rich, cheesy pasta that carries a homemade essence. Each bite was like a warm hug on a chilly day, with the spätzle perfectly cooked to a delightful texture, and the cheese enveloping it in a savoury embrace that left me dreaming of more. The portion size was generous enough to satisfy, yet I found myself wishing I could have just a little more—because, truly, it was that good.

Gnocchi dishes are also delicious, with them shouting ‘homemade’, full of flavour and comforting to say the least.

A note that the wine list was also fab, and for once I opted for a white, with the Gruner Veltliner matching the cheese dish perfectly.

However, the service was a different story. Upon arrival, it was pleasant enough, and we had a short wait as we were 15 mins early. Once seated, we were warmly welcomed with a brief introduction of the menu, but from there however it went down hill.

It felt like a game of hide and seek to flag down our server for a drink and then even longer to order our food. The staff didn’t seemed stretched thin, with a number of them standing close to the kitchen bar area. I felt like a distraction, rather than a guest, which is a shame considering the food deserves a more attentive experience. Not once was I asked how the food was, with the server who bought the bill, was already walking away while he muttered ‘have a good evening’.

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of hearty, delicious dishes and can handle a bit of a wait for service, then The Sparrows is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared to relish the food while being a bit patient for the service. I’d have returned for that Kase Spatzle in a heartbeat, but it would’ve been nice to enjoy it with a side of better attentiveness.