3Squared in Manchester styled as 32restauraunts due to a different company of the same name is located in Manchester's Royal Exchange, easily accessed by the entrance opposite Boots, and close to Sainsbury's on Cross Street.
This is a free from cafe, free--from gluten, wheat, dairy, soy and refined-sugar with a large amount of vegetarian and vegan options.
The decor inside is pretty maverick, it is pretty small as with most locations in the Royal Exchange building.
I waited to be seated from a staff member, who didn't seem too friendly - after sitting me down with the menu, I waited to order only to be told the following things after 5 minutes.
1. The menu outside was wrong and the one inside was the new menu - as they've updated the menus and the website surely they should also update the one outside as that is what diners check before coming in? I wanted baked beans with my breakfast and was told I'd have to do without.
2. The card machine had broken and they were only accepting cash - I hate paying cash, especially with items at odd values such as £10.50 - this would mean I'd have to make two different visits to the bank to withdraw £20 at an ATM and then queue to pay in coins due to the odd value of the item. - This is, of course, inconvenient so why did she wait until I was ready to order to tell me, rather than when I come into the restauraunt? Despite being the only staff member on the shop floor at the time and taking payments from other customers she claimed she didn't know which I'm sure is a lie.
I wasn't really impressed with the menu as for me they're trying to cater to too many markets to the point they're alienating people they're trying to cater for - now I'm gluten-free but many of the options on the menu to me are repulsive as many of the sides include black rice, avocado, sesame and different types of seeds - I'd much prefer something more traditional like something potato-based for example, or at least have the option.
The mobile signal, at least for 3 Mobile here is pretty bad as well so if you're staying for anything more than a grab and go bag or food then you would need to connect to their wifi.
Unhelpful staff and the lazily un-updated menu which has been there for multiple weeks does let this place down as well as the fact they're withholding information from customers and expecting it to be okay - again with no apology for me having to leave, or offer to be cooking my food while I go to a cash point.
I really wanted to like this place with a gap in the market for Free From in Manchester since the closure of TEA 42, Manchester's first gluten-free cafe which has now closed (even though 3Squared wrongly claim they're the first)
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