The Pen and Pencil

Great food. Staff were lovely. Very enjoyable :)

The food was nice but not exceptional. A good amount of choices on the menu but would like more cocktail choices - maybe more classic cocktails. Food portions weren’t that big and all food is expensive compared to other brunch places and for the portion that you get. The staff were really lovely and attentive and the ambience was very chilled. Would recommend to a friend wanting to go for a bottomless brunch. Bottomless brunch should run for longer than 10am - 1pm though - this is very early.

I would always recommend the Pen and pencil to a friend - always good food, good location and normally good/ excellent service. However on this occasion the girl who served us obviously did not want to be there - as a past waitress I get this completely - however she was so indifferent to the point that it was noticeable. Wasn't on top of asking if everything was okay, left us for ages with the bill when we'd asked for the card machine anyway. Normally 5*, however today would be giving 2*

The service was perfect, friendly and considerate. Proper nice guys in there.
Would definitely recommend if you can't be arsed with some of the tools around the northern quarter.
Plus its on our doorstep. Winning

Heat service - lovely friendly staff

Great place. We did the pub quiz which was great and the staff were friendly and efficient.

50% off food for January obviously means only 50% of the ingredients are used and 50% effort is put into cooking them.

One of the best brunch menus in Manchester, absolutely delicious.

Service was outstanding. Food was delicious.

I've been to Pen and Pencil for brunch a few times and always enjoyed the food, but I was really disappointed with my experience at lunchtime. It took an hour and a half for a work lunch which was way longer than we expected. The food came out at different times and was average at best.

Such a shame.

Second visit unfortunately service was not great. After waiting 45 mins for our food (including seeing a large party who arrived a considerable time after us served their food) we were told they were short staffed in the kitchen. If we had been informed of this and offered a free tea or coffee for the inconvenience m, we wouldn’t have minded. Heads up to staff to keep your customers informed and not just leave them waiting.

The food was lovely but the whole experience was very rushed

We hadn’t even finished our first drink before being asked if we would like another, the minute we finished out brunch we were asked again if we would like another drink - despite still having our first - and when we declined our bill was brought without asking - very rude

Having had a coffee and brunch I would have stayed for another drink but being so rushed was made to feel very unwelcome - I wouldn’t have minded if it was busy but it was actually quite quiet

Booked the 50% Monday lunch. Didn't get to eat as 45 minutes from ordering, our food was nowhere to be seen. We had to leave to go back to work without eating. I must stress the guy who was chasing our order was really efficient and I felt bad for him as it wasn't his fault.

we go regularly for brunch and always find the food and service very good - nice atmosphere too.

Very good quality

Food was a little bland and dry, nothing at all to shout about and a bit disappointing

Best to eat here not late on a Friday or Saturday. They squeeze you in a corner. Dj is 3 foot away and people climb past behind you where there is no gap to walk. Salmon was nicely cooked and avocado salsa was nice.

Came for the pencil down quiz and was so much fun. Will def be back. Fun atmosphere. Excellent staff. Great value.

Gorgeous meal on Monday, staff are lovely as well. Very fast service. Best chicken burger I’ve ever had.

lovely service,quiet(it was Monday) nice place,good food

I had the philly steak and it was lovely. The manager had a bit of a difficult situation whilst we were there but managed it really well. Staff were really nice. I def recommend this place

Excellent food, service & atmosphere!
Highly recommended!
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Easy to find location , friendly staff, attentive staff, swift service, affordable, well presented reasonable prices delicious food.

The food was very nice and the layout of the place is nice and modern. However the exterior is covered in scaffolding which I'd expect is due to the building owners and not The Pen and Pencil, there was two staff working front of house over Friday lunch (1-2), one behind the bar and one serving tables, took around 15-20 mins for our plates to be cleared once we'd finished. Overall was very good and I would go again, just a little sharper on the service would make it spot on.

Loved it, great food, quiz was a laugh but sitting on the stool-chairs with no back actually became quite uncomfortable after a while. Would just sit somewhere else next time though.

Excellent food, service & atmosphere!
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Pre gig meet up. Always amazing, great atmosphere!

Food was excellent, value for money , service was quick , the staff were helpful ... thanks Nathan for the swordfish recommendation. Definitely go there again .

went there for breakfast on a Sunday morning. The service was first class, so was the food. Can absolutely recommend it.

I came to the pen and pencil with 5 friends prior to attending the Spice Girls concert at the Etihad stadium. Our table was ready on arrival and the staff were very smiley, happy and the service was amazing. The atmosphere was fab and the music choice was excellent including some spice girls songs. Even the chef was friendly and happy.
I would definitely recommend the pen and pencil to family and friends.

Thank you for a fab afternoon.

Lovely food and great customer service.
Would defo visit again when in Manchester.

Quality quiz night!! Great atmosphere, great beer and great food!

Really enjoyed my visit to the pen and pencil! The food was lovely and in the first instance the service was great. It seems a shame that our brilliant, attentive, enthusiastic waitress had finished her shift, when she left it all went south. We sat for a while until we found someone to ask for the bill (we had to approach them) which took about 10 minutes to come. We then had to approach staff to pay. Overall it was a positive experience, just a few staff lacked attentiveness. Would definitely visit again as I'm sure this is a one off!

Lovely food and great venue for brunch or eve drinks

On arrival we were advised by a member of staff that they had to tried to contact me (they hadn’t) and that they were only offering the brunch menu. This was going up to 5pm so we didn’t want brunch! It took a while for a manager to come and talk to me who blamed yourselves even though this wasn’t anywhere on their own website that it was only brunch on the last Saturday of every month, which was where we made the reservation via yourselves as the booking engine. Looking at the website they had it as an option for all day brunch but no where does it say that no other menu would be offered. We were then only offered two burger options or steak and eggs which was really disappointing. We were attending a concert and with town already full to the brim this was our only option. The manager offered to buy us a round of drinks however these still went on the bill so I had to ask for them to be removed!

Lovely food and great location with good friendly service and atmosphere

David was excellent and the food was beautiful as ever :)

Had an excellent evening with friends, good food, good vibe and helpful, friendly staff

Our second visit and we will certainly be back. Great place 👍

Great service, and the food was good. Quite rowdy during Friday after work times, lots of people shouting over each other, great for drinks with friends etc, maybe not so good for a date at the time we visited.