The Croma story is enough to inspire everyone to down tools and set up shop as an independent. The business has been so successful over the past two decades it managed to expand from a single site on Clarence Street in the city centre (sadly, no longer operating) to a collection of beloved eateries spread across town. Scaling things back in recent years, the company now runs two suburban restaurants, one in Prestwich to the north, and the other here in Chorlton — arguably South Manchester’s most famous neighbourhood, with a big reputation for food and drink.
The secrets to Croma’s eminence can be found in the ideas that go into the menu. Long before pizzas become a playground for daring, adventurous toppings created using specialist ingredients (in the UK at least), the team here were thinking outside the usual delivery boxes to come up with genuinely interesting — and often inimitable — varieties of thin crust pies. Today, the same is still true, which is why you’ll find a number of unique delicacies being baked, sliced and served. Like Garstang & Goat’s Cheese, which combines two northern fromage fancies, red onion, field mushrooms and sub-blushed tomatoes. Meanwhile, the Anglefino piles smoked haddock, leeks and free range eggs atop Emmental cheese. You get the point.
More traditional Italian classics are still present and correct, though, like the Florentina, Funghi di Bosco, and Gamberoni Piccante. And the choice doesn’t end at pizza. Iconic dishes such as Melanzane Parmigiana, Crab & King Prawn Linguine, and Beef Lasagne are also available, along with a strong selection of main course salads (think Tandoori Chicken, Peking Duck, and Smoked Caesar) and starters. Add to all that renowned desserts, and a great selection of cocktails, beers and wines, and it’s easy to understand how that single location gave rise to this Mancunian restaurant legend.