372 replies to this topic

[Bapi]

Of course I think the only reason he wouldn't was that he knew the owner from his stock-broking days, and was sulking over the fact that he had more Porsches, global knives, pin stripe suits and pink shirts than him.

That made my day.

Sorry I have not been in contact- been off-line for a while. Agreed, a return match is in order. Send me your e-mail by PM please and we'll get cracking organising something.

[Gary Marshall]

Gary's refusal to eat in the preposterously pretentious Panacea. Of course I think the only reason he wouldn't was that he knew the owner from his stock-broking days, and was sulking over the fact that he had more Porsches, global knives, pin stripe suits and pink shirts than him.

I was 'sulking' as 'someone' hadn't realised the kitchen at the bridge was being refurbished You can't be that cavalier where lunch is concerned!

Think yourselves lucky i didn't demand we all got on the train and went to Anthony's asap!

However the chop house was good, i could just eat that corned beef hash cake with HP sauce right now mmmmm.

I struggled with panacea, i just can't do fashionable restaurants with 'concepts in dining' and cocktail lists longer than the wine list, seemed much more suited to being a bar for conspicuous champagne consumption, which of course i'm way past doing nowadays.

[BertieWooster]

I move to Manchester in about, ooh, three hours. Was going to try Market tonight (as it's next to where I'm living), but it doesn't re-open till the 3rd. So, uuh,r will be going somewhere else.

Bertie 'exciting, world-shattering posts, inc.' Wooster

[thom]

Good to hear from you Gary. Don't worry, whatever happens to me you'll always have the stripiest pin-stripes in town.

Actually, on the suject of Anthonys I have to shamefacedly admit I was in Leeds a week or so ago and didn't call you, though I did have a rather spectacular lunch there. It was my B'day, so my better half took me over - her first time at the restaurant.

The starters were great (I made her have the risotto natch, I had the porky thing with lung and stuff) but the mains were outstanding. I went for the silver hake with baby squid and garlic cream. Eloquence fails me, suffice to say 'bloody hell'. Soph had the fish (forget which) with ham hock ravioli and white peach - also wonderful. Good desserts, great cheeses topped it off. Where is a Mancunian Anthony when you need one...?

Anyway, back to Manchester...

Bertie, you are moving into a rather fine part of the town - The Northern Quarter. I used to live a minute or so's walk from there, so it was my food and drink playground. Do you know the area at all? If not, below is a brief summary of what you have in store. Most of this is already on a thread somewhere, but let me know if you want any detail.

Cheers

Thom

Northern Quarter is the home of quirkiness (and sometimes edginess), ethnic and cultural mixing, and is a mecca for all sorts of independent businesses, especially (lately) restaurants and bars.

For bars you have the Bluu (small chain, very nice decor, decent beers and cocktails), Socio Rehab (some of the best cocktails you will ever have, made by world champion - yes they have such competitions - bartenders), Rodeo (margarita bar owned by same guys), Odd (little independent place), Common (low-fi bedsit style joint), Cord (muso/DJ's hang-out of choice) Centro (similar, but with better beers and bar food), Bay Tree (very buzzy small pub/bar mix), Dry (birth of Madchester, now slightly diluted Ben Kelly design) and more...

For Pubs you have lots of great old places. The Castle (traditional small city boozer), Hare and Hounds (old smithfield market boozer with and an old piano), Bar Fringe (serves bloody hundreds of Belgian beers) as well as The Pot of Beer and Marble Arch just off Rochdale Road (both real ale places, the latter a microbrewery with beautiful tiled interior).

If you want the scariest pub in central Manchester go to the King on Oldham St...

For restaurants you have Bluu again (so-so), Market (quirky, old fashioned but quality), N4 Bar and Restaurant (decent sometimes patchy Med/Moorish), Sweet Madarin (decent well priced Chinese), Cedar Tree (mad but authentic Lebanese restaurant) etc.

You also have the Love Saves the day deli/restaurant/coffee shop which is excellent, Oklahoma coffee shop (and kitsch gift shop), Buddist Centre (not too bad cheap as chips veggie stuff), Chinese Arts Centre (tea shop), Soup Kitchen (Hoxton-style trendy canteen), the barrows (super cheap fruit and veg) and a handful of ethnic food shops. And... Live music at Matt and Phreds Jazz Club (excellent), Night and Day (studenty/alternative/indy) and Band on the Wall (world famous world music venue - refurb at the mo).

Crowning glory though is the curry cafes - authentic Pakistani 'greasy spoon' style places. There's ten or fifteen to choose from. This and That is the cheapest (rice and three veggie curries for £2.50), Marhabra does the best breads and kebabs (proper Tandoor) and The Kebabish is slightly smarter (and pricier) with a good selection. Al Faisal, Kabana, Yagdar etc all have their supporters too, and Hunters is worth going to as its the only one open outside working hours.

As you may have guessed I still work in the Northern Quarter and I love it dearly, but I'm still jealous you'll be living there. You'll have a great time.

Cheers

Thom

[Gary Marshall]

I went for the silver hake with baby squid and garlic cream. Eloquence fails me, suffice to say 'bloody hell'.

i've had that squid and garlic cream combo several times and it is one of my favourite 'tastes' of the year.

cheers

gary

[BertieWooster]

Thanks Thom. I know some of the area from days as a northern music hack from 88-99 ish, so Dry and places are well known (though I'm a little old now). Night and Day is a regular hang out. It's very good to have the run down--I'll buy you a pint in return!. I'm looking forward to being within a two minutes stroll of the back door of Matt and Phred's jazz bar as well.

I'm actually living in the block inside the old Smithfield Market walls, so between Hare and Hounds and the NQ/Market/Rodeo streets, and Bluu has a back door and some tables into the square where I am.

Fancy a drink/meal some time? Drop me a line.

And I'm back in Leeds tomorrow for a long lunch at A's--full-on tasting menu on their last day before their close-down. Yumm.

[thom]

Gary,

Yep, that dish was an absolute blinder. I often cook squid at home, but it NEVER (never, never, never) has the texture that Anthony's had. The combination of the merest charring on the squid flesh and the delicate and lustrous garlic cream worked better than I could believe.

Bertie,

Would be glad to meet you a pint. Are you living in the new-build bits of the market development? If you haven't really been back in the last five years then I think the changes to the area as a whole will leave you stunned. It might not yet be as gentried and mainstream as Soho in London or SoHo NY, but it certainly has a sustained and vibrant community and a fantastic gritty energy.

I'll ping you my details.

Cheers

Thom

[BertieWooster]

That's where I'm living, and yes, Manchester is definitely a changed place...

[Gary Marshall]

Gary,

Yep, that dish was an absolute blinder. I often cook squid at home, but it NEVER (never, never, never) has the texture that Anthony's had. The combination of the merest charring on the squid flesh and the delicate and lustrous garlic cream worked better than I could believe.

when i first had it, it reminded me of a mini donner kebab, a proper one mind, made up of discernable layers of meat! They de-beak each and everyone of them too, now that sounds like a fun job!

[Gary Marshall]

And I'm back in Leeds tomorrow for a long lunch at A's--full-on tasting menu on their last day before their close-down. Yumm.

Then i must be going when they've just re-opened. Going on 17th for lunch

[Bapi]

And I'm back in Leeds tomorrow for a long lunch at A's--full-on tasting menu on their last day before their close-down. Yumm.

Then i must be going when they've just re-opened. Going on 17th for lunch

Which blithering numpty invited you?

[YKL]

Which blithering numpty invited you?  

'ecky thump lad ... gone all native on us have you?

Yin
X

[thom]

   

Which blithering numpty invited you?  

Bapi, there is no need for such extreme and explicit language. You are a father now! Think of the children...

Cheers

Thom

[Stephen B]

...

For Pubs you have lots of great old places. The Castle (traditional small city boozer), Hare and Hounds (old smithfield market boozer with and an old piano), Bar Fringe (serves bloody hundreds of Belgian beers) as well as The Pot of Beer and Marble Arch just off Rochdale Road (both real ale places, the latter a microbrewery with beautiful tiled interior).

...

Cheers

Thom

The Pot of Beer's shut, mate, for ever as far as I know. Gone to the redevelopers. You'll get a decent choice of pop in the Smithfield, opposite Bar Fringe (which can be fairly scary in its own way).

Stephen.

[Gary Marshall]

...

For Pubs you have lots of great old places. The Castle (traditional small city boozer), Hare and Hounds (old smithfield market boozer with and an old piano), Bar Fringe (serves bloody hundreds of Belgian beers) as well as The Pot of Beer and Marble Arch just off Rochdale Road (both real ale places, the latter a microbrewery with beautiful tiled interior).

...

Cheers

Thom

The Pot of Beer's shut, mate, for ever as far as I know. Gone to the redevelopers. You'll get a decent choice of pop in the Smithfield, opposite Bar Fringe (which can be fairly scary in its own way).

Stephen.

aahh thom's been rumbled

doesn't know that the old pubs have closed, yet has an uncanny knowledge of all the latest cocktail bars

[fisherman]

piccolinos was the best italian meal i've eaten since i was last in lucca. great food, great service (they responded to some strange and some would say awkward requests from my colleagues promptly and with good humour, then halfway through the meal when our table for 4 suddenly became a table for 6 they didn't bat an eyelid.

foodwise, highlights were the chicken liver starter and the honey and pine nut ice cream. though everything was pretty damn good.

and yes thom, they did seat us in the upper area, though i didn't have to resort to using your name ;)

[thom]

Fisherman,

Glad you had a good time. As I said, it is always offers good food and a good atmosphere, no matter what the occasion.

Stephen B,

You are right, it was my oversight whilst writing a rushed response. Pot of Beer is indeed closed (which is very sad as it was my local for years, along with the Marble Arch, both 100m from front door) and used to do decent Polish pub nosh.

I actually meant the 'Beer House' (which made up the Angel Meadow Trinity along with the two afore-mentioned) which is still in business. New owners I think, but still a commitment to real ale and cider, and one of the best juke-boxes in town...

Gary, oh I've been rumbled many times before now. It's true, I've only ever been to Manchester twice, and ate at Spud-U-Like (RIP) and Panama Hattys (plus a Greggs cheese and onion pasty on the way home).

Cheers

Thom

[Stephen B]

The afore-mentioned deli/coffee shop Love Saves The Day has gone belly up according to an article in the Manchester Evening News. Shame, I used to rather like the place - well, both places - but service in the main venue had gone downhill after the move to Oldham Street.

A hugs-and-kisses site has been set up.

Stephen

Edited by Stephen B, 17 October 2005 - 12:10 PM.

[thom]

It is very sad indeed.

What makes it all the more frustrating is that as far as I understand it the deli genuinely was in good shape for expansion, and it was alleged bad accountancy practice by a third party which has screwed things up.

Always horrible to see a proud business trying to do something the right way go under, especially when the owners have put heart and soul into it.

You're right that service was disorganised and slow (but to be honest this always seemed to have been the case) but I just liked the feel of the place and had great admiration for what it did, particularly in terms of great wine selection, and promotion of local and regional produce.

Cheers

Thom

[culinary bear]

Oh no! That's unutterably sad... They really put their backs into the business and tried to do things the right way.

[BertieWooster]

My major problem in living in the city centre is not being out of work at any time when any interesting delis/shops are open--I made LSTD just once. Which leaves me M&S and Tesco Metro (a definition of hell on earth). If our cafe wasn't so good, I'd not quite literally starve.

[TGullet]

Thom: sent you pm re being in Man.

A pleasure. Genuinely, I could bore the pants of people about Manchester all day...

I think that you'll find that Manchester has a dining scene bigger, broader and more varied than anywhere outside London. It's a shame we just don't have real top drawer place like Leeds has Anthonys. Apart from the incomparable Paul Kitching down in Altrincham (20 mins by tram out of the city) we haven't had a Michelin star for 20 years.

Food shopping? Hmmm... Like a lot of regional city centres Manchester hasn't fared well for indigenous food shopping. The trade produce markets (Smithfield etc) got pushed out into purpose built sheds outside the city centre, and the original 'public' market got shoved into the crappy Arndale Centre. It retained a very good fish selection until it got moved again (losing stalls on the way) due to a refurb.

Most of the best shopping in Manchester is ethnic, and all most of it is outside the city. I'm not sure if you will venture outside the city, so I'll keep this bit brief:

JEWISH

There are lots of excellent Jewish pattiseries and deli's in North Manchester around Cheetham Hill and Prestwich (5-10 mins from the centre). The most famous is the Titanic, which was opened by one of the ships survivors, and is today owned by his (great?) grandchildren.

INDIAN/PAKISTANI

Rusholme (Oxford Road, 5 mins south of the centre, beyond the University) is Manchester's famous 'Curry Mile', and has stacks of restaurants and food shops. Nowadays though the selection in Cheetham Hill is almost as good, and the pricing can be cheaper.

POLISH/ORGANIC/FAIRTRADE ETC

I've lumped these slightly incongruous catergories in together as you'll find them all in bohemian Chorlton (5 mins South of centre). The Barbakan deli is famous for its huge selection of breads. Polish is obviously it's speciality, but the range is really incredible. You'll never buy a bad loaf.

Opposite is the Unicorn Grocery. This is stuffed with the most morally correct right on food ever, but more often that not this means it turns up produce which is unusual or of outstanding quality. There are numerous other quality food retailers in Chorlton, which is why Culinary Bear is a convert!

'REET NORTHERN

I'm allowed to take the micky out of the Northern accent as I am Northern... if you want traditional Northern English markets then the one at Bolton (30 mins drive from the centre) is top drawer. It has a real sense of pride, and is a bustling, thriving market with a serious food section, which includes all the local favourites (from cheeses to tripe) as well brilliant fish and some international deli style stalls.

CITY CENTRE

In the city centre the pickings are slightly slimmer... You are right to highlight Chinatown, which has some excellent supermarkets (I normally end up at the Woo Sang). They're very convinient, though the massive Chinese supermarkets on the Northern and Southern tips of the city have much wider selections.

If you want deli style stuff then the afore mentioned Love Saves the Day is good (though they are more cafe then Deli), and Harvey Nicholls is much as you would expect it. Selfridges started very well but it now seriously watered down (all basically 'ready meal' stuff in nice bowls - the fresh meat, fish and produce has gone).

Oh, there's a decent cookware shop on deansgate - it was Peter Maturi but some company from Leeds has renamed it now.

I'd also keep an eye out for markets. They used to be a decent (if small) farmers market in the Northern Quarter a couple of times a month, but I think it has now moved out to somewhere more high profile. Both Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens have regular markets, which more than often not are international travelling affairs (German, french etc). It can be a bit touristy, but there are some bargains to be had...

Oh, I forgot, Samsi Yakatori restaurant (which sadly has not got great reports lately) has a small Japanese food/products shop underneath the dining room (Whitworth St) which is quite fun.

Again, I best draw a line here as otherwise I will completely arse-up my pre-holiday desk clearing.

Cheers

Thom

Holy..

Wow thanks guys, some pretty insane amounts of suggestions going on here!! I can't thank you all enough, the level of information is awesome!!

In terms of foodie-type shops, are there things like this in Manchester? I know obviously of Chinatown, but other than that, any decent shops that someone would be interested in?

Thanks again folks, especialliy Thom!!

[TGullet]

Thom,

We enjoyed seeing you and MAN last time that we are coming back. Sent to you pm.

TGullet.

Thom: sent you pm re being in Man.

A pleasure. Genuinely, I could bore the pants of people about Manchester all day...

I think that you'll find that Manchester has a dining scene bigger, broader and more varied than anywhere outside London. It's a shame we just don't have real top drawer place like Leeds has Anthonys. Apart from the incomparable Paul Kitching down in Altrincham (20 mins by tram out of the city) we haven't had a Michelin star for 20 years.

Food shopping? Hmmm... Like a lot of regional city centres Manchester hasn't fared well for indigenous food shopping. The trade produce markets (Smithfield etc) got pushed out into purpose built sheds outside the city centre, and the original 'public' market got shoved into the crappy Arndale Centre. It retained a very good fish selection until it got moved again (losing stalls on the way) due to a refurb.

Most of the best shopping in Manchester is ethnic, and all most of it is outside the city. I'm not sure if you will venture outside the city, so I'll keep this bit brief:

JEWISH

There are lots of excellent Jewish pattiseries and deli's in North Manchester around Cheetham Hill and Prestwich (5-10 mins from the centre). The most famous is the Titanic, which was opened by one of the ships survivors, and is today owned by his (great?) grandchildren.

INDIAN/PAKISTANI

Rusholme (Oxford Road, 5 mins south of the centre, beyond the University) is Manchester's famous 'Curry Mile', and has stacks of restaurants and food shops. Nowadays though the selection in Cheetham Hill is almost as good, and the pricing can be cheaper.

POLISH/ORGANIC/FAIRTRADE ETC

I've lumped these slightly incongruous catergories in together as you'll find them all in bohemian Chorlton (5 mins South of centre). The Barbakan deli is famous for its huge selection of breads. Polish is obviously it's speciality, but the range is really incredible. You'll never buy a bad loaf.

Opposite is the Unicorn Grocery. This is stuffed with the most morally correct right on food ever, but more often that not this means it turns up produce which is unusual or of outstanding quality. There are numerous other quality food retailers in Chorlton, which is why Culinary Bear is a convert!

'REET NORTHERN

I'm allowed to take the micky out of the Northern accent as I am Northern... if you want traditional Northern English markets then the one at Bolton (30 mins drive from the centre) is top drawer. It has a real sense of pride, and is a bustling, thriving market with a serious food section, which includes all the local favourites (from cheeses to tripe) as well brilliant fish and some international deli style stalls.

CITY CENTRE

In the city centre the pickings are slightly slimmer... You are right to highlight Chinatown, which has some excellent supermarkets (I normally end up at the Woo Sang). They're very convinient, though the massive Chinese supermarkets on the Northern and Southern tips of the city have much wider selections.

If you want deli style stuff then the afore mentioned Love Saves the Day is good (though they are more cafe then Deli), and Harvey Nicholls is much as you would expect it. Selfridges started very well but it now seriously watered down (all basically 'ready meal' stuff in nice bowls - the fresh meat, fish and produce has gone).

Oh, there's a decent cookware shop on deansgate - it was Peter Maturi but some company from Leeds has renamed it now.

I'd also keep an eye out for markets. They used to be a decent (if small) farmers market in the Northern Quarter a couple of times a month, but I think it has now moved out to somewhere more high profile. Both Albert Square and Piccadilly Gardens have regular markets, which more than often not are international travelling affairs (German, french etc). It can be a bit touristy, but there are some bargains to be had...

Oh, I forgot, Samsi Yakatori restaurant (which sadly has not got great reports lately) has a small Japanese food/products shop underneath the dining room (Whitworth St) which is quite fun.

Again, I best draw a line here as otherwise I will completely arse-up my pre-holiday desk clearing.

Cheers

Thom

Holy..

Wow thanks guys, some pretty insane amounts of suggestions going on here!! I can't thank you all enough, the level of information is awesome!!

In terms of foodie-type shops, are there things like this in Manchester? I know obviously of Chinatown, but other than that, any decent shops that someone would be interested in?

Thanks again folks, especialliy Thom!!

[fisherman]

In Manchester tomorrow, and Piccolino is booked up anyone been out lately and enjoyed anywhere? I may book Red Chilli, but I'm out with some pretty unadventurous people who may not appreciate it

[kutsu]

Red Chilli quite happily offered my girlfriend the standard non-adventurous chinese menu (spare ribs, chicken with 47 different sauces) whilst I munched on some pig trotter!

[fisherman]

cheers kutsu, it's booked. the trotter was one of the main things that appealed to me

[Gary Marshall]

i can highly recomend their chicken and cashew nuts, it took me about 4 visits to get onto the 'proper' stuff!

[fisherman]

any other clues for the special stuff gratefully received :)

[Mandarin]

Erm, has anyone suggested Glamourous/Glorious (I forget the name) - in Ancoats, above the Wing Yip supermarket. Get there early as impossible to get a table (300 seater) after 12.30pm. Best food and best value Chinese I've had (and I should know, I'm one of them).

[fisherman]

Red Chilli was very very good, even my vegetarian mate enjoyed it. I had 2 main courses (poached spicy lamb and an off menu spicy trotter dish) both were well above the standard of chinese cooking i'm used to. The Spring Onion bread as recommended on here was fantastic too. Shame they don't do smaller portions then I could have tried even more. I'll be back next time I'm in Manchester though.