badger0412

I wouldn't recommend eating anywhere too close to the ground to be honest. However, the ground is only a mile or so from central manchester and is easily reached by train, bus and taxi. If they were to eat in central manchester there are a few reasonable options from which to choose from. A safe bet [not knowing budget, preferences etc] would be something like the Living Room on Deansgate. Other options to consider would be East / Little Yang Sing / Yang Sing in China Town which is also in the centre of town. Other than that let me just say that I hope Porto win!

Just a quick note to echo the comments expressed so well by Thom. Unlike the vast majority of posters on this topic I have also eaten at Juniper and would pretty much agree with Thom's comments. I have had a number of great, and sometimes strange, evenings there and will continue to do so. Some of the posts seemed more interested in Paul's use of English than in his abilities as a chef or restaurateur. From recollection, an MA in English was never a pre-requisite to entering the restaurant business. And given the supposed culinary expertise possessed by many of the posters I would have thought it reasonable to expect them to judge a restaurant on the food [tasted] than on its web site.

All Small question if I may - can someone enlighten me as to what Page 6 and the Page 6 rule might be? Thanks Ignorant Brit

To confirm we dined at 33 St James St. The M'd is leaving as they transfer to 'take a break after 18 years' but most of the other, extremely friendly and relaxed staff appear to moving with the restaurant and looking forward to it. Have no idea if MW was about but according to the staff GR turned up at around 11:45 showing off his new [and disappointingly red] Ferrari!

My wife and I were treated by friends last weekend to a stay at the Berkley and dinner at Petrus. Unfortunately even as guests it wasn't possible to secure reservations at the Boxwood Cafe but frankly the experience at Petrus dissipated any disappointment. We arrived shortly before 9 and kicked things off with a gorgous bottle of Tattuinger [86 i think but I was kept from the wine list all evening] - complimenting the two we had previously at the hotel before we left! This was accompanied by humous [and something else based on olives I vaguely recall]. I should point out I've never particularly enjoyed humous - I should also point out I loved it and was rewarded with 'seconds'! To the main event: An amuse of Roasted Vine Tomato soup was splendid. For apps we had [and tasted] pressed terrine of confit Anjou rabbit / Quail breast with cepes, pan fried foie gras and reduced quail stock dressing / sea scallops with spring onion, artichokes, truffle dressing / ravioli of duck confit, foie gras port wine sauce and summer truffle. On completing our own and each others apps we proceeded to argue about who had the best - this was inconclusive as all got a vote! Wine here was a Nuit St Georges - more I cannot offer for the previous reasons it was spot on. Entrees were as follows: Sea Bass with lobster, Palourde clams, shellfish and basil broth / End of Welsh Lamb, sliced baked potato in lamb stock, sherry vinegar veloute [i understand this is important??] / Fillet of Aberdeen Angus, wild mushrooms, shallot puree, spinach, sauce bourguignonne. I should say again that all were marvellous. My somewhat safe selection of the fillet proved inspired when I tasted the sauce. it was perfect - seconds again here I'm afraid [didn't know anyone other than my mother offered this dinner option]. By now things got a little ragged [another bottle had surfaced which I'm 99% certain was a pommerol] Next was either a plum and rhubarb compote [never like rhubarb - loved it] - sorry but I had seconds here as well - or a perfectly executed Tarte Tatin shared with the only remaining dining companion [still eating I mean]. I'm fairly certain a Sauternne made an appearance about now. Coffee followed - there was no room for the P4s which were kindly boxed up for us. Bill paid, menus acquired and thanks proferred we departed four happy souls [not sufficiently sated as the additional champagne at the Atlantic and the hotel confirmed]. A final brief word about the service - charming and faultless. The M'd even sharing complexion management tips with my wife at one point! It is entirely possible that all four of us are easily pleased [not possible I assure you] but we all loved every minute and every mouthful. I hope when they relocate it retains its [to me] high standards - I will be returning.

Sandra I can't speak for nor replace the undoubted expertise of Thom but I do live in Manchester and therefore offer below my humble opinion. First Juniper is definitely an 'experience' [i would recommed]. It is possible to get a tram there or a taxi [£20 ish]. It would be a shame not to have a drink or two. Driving is relatively straightforward even for an out of towner. Le Mont is a lot nearer and does have the novelty factor of its views. I haven't been for a while and current reports are variable. Lounge 10 is always an intestesting place to visit and is right in the middle of town [no more than a couple of minutes away from your hotel]. The original team [as described earlier in this thread] are no longer there [to various projects including Sam's Chop House] but it still provides a welcome break from the norm. As I mentioned below the 'ex-Rhodes' place received a favourable mention in today's edition of Metro but I personally know of no-one that has visited of late. Almost as important, there is a fantastic Jazz Club [mine I must confess] that would welcome you with open arms. is open until the early hours and is a short stagger from your hotel. We do serve outstanding pizza but I suspect you aspire to something more substantial and, I dare say, interesting. Perhaps dine first, booze late!! Regards Dean

Hi Thom There was a review of the very same ex-Rhodes place in Metro today and in the main was generally complimentary. On another topic were you in the Circle Club on Friday night - if not it would appear someone has taken your name?? Since I brought it up, have you managed to eat there yet? We ate there when it first opened and weren't overly impressed. Finally, the restaurant plan is progressing slowly but I have located one venue [large at a total of 7500 sq ft] and have rejected a couple of unsuitable locations. Any ideas on how to track down something in the Northern Quarter [my preferred location] - the agents etc I have spoken with have a somewhat limited scope / portfolio. At this rate I''ll just have to put a new kitchen and frontage onto Matt & Phred's and devise a spiffing new menu!! Regards Dean

While no expert in the ways of restaurant and food review I thought it might be appreciated if I passed on some of my experience at Juniper from Saturday evening. First, a lovely room and a warm welcome from a series of staff. Not at all imposing or intimidating and really rather relaxing [as indeed it should be]. Lashings of free champagne to start with [we were with the owner of another regarded local restaurant] and then on to our well appointed table. As well as the menu which is listed below we were 'treated' to some 'interesting' offerings which included powdered & dried corned beef, shredded and dried onions to name only a couple of the maybe 15 we were offered [including shooters]. Some were amazing, some were strange and some I simply didn't enjoy but the novelty, the sense of experimentation [almost exploring] and sheer frivolity of the situation were wonderful. I should, at this point, salute the attention and authoritative staff. I maybe feeling old [i'm actually 32] but they made me feel absolutely prehistoric. However, their age in no way limited their abilities and knowledge of everything that passed our lips. The wine was superb, the cheese outstanding with a pair of assiette between the four that each had 22 different cheeses [and there was only one I personally didn't enjoy]. However, I think we over extended ourselves [with a total of five not including champagne] so names escape me [for both the wine and the cheese] save for the fact that Burgundys of both persuasions were well represented [and under £50 a bottle]. Was the menu worth £75 a head. Possibly/probably but I'm convinced that the regular menu is excellent value for money [confirmation to follow in a fortnight]. We did get caught in the tail end of the Valentine's Day nightmare and did book only a day in advance so perhaps can only expect such a level of pricing. However, we certainly didn't feel in any way short-changed [and with in the region of 20 courses nor should we!]. In summary, Paul and his team were fantastic - we're going back and everyone should try it at least once! Kind Regards DeanValentines Dinner [Menu] Caviar, Vegetable Dots Pea Soup, Artichoke Bottoms, Tarragon and Horlicks Grilled Scallops, Fruitcake Sauce, Prune Puree Roasted Whole Beef Fillet, cooked and rested pink. Onion Puree, Dried Basil leaves, Pineapple, Capers, Truffled Potato Puree Assiette of Cheese Mango Lasse Battenburg Souffle Passion Fruit Ice Cream Coffee and Petit Fours [oh and two G&Ts]

Lxt What a wonderful piece of writing. I have a feeling that my anniversary dinner will result in a significant haul of 'brownie points'!! In all seriousness I feel as if I've already been - I just can't wait to do it for real. One questions if I may - how did you get copies of the tasting menus? They're not available on the otherwise excellent web site and my requests via email have been met thus far only with silence? Your help would be appreciated. Regards Dean

I'm not sure whether to be alarmed about the 'Boulud heavy' selection or not. A comfort, I suppose, is that the 'name' was not the reason for the selection and his prominence is fortuitous rather than deliberate. db was selected over a year ago when I first read about the now superseded $27 burger. The other two based on an element of research, a read of the menus and the many recommendations on sites such as these. Given the consistently high 'ratings' his various restaurants have received I can take some comfort in knowing that for five or so days I am going to be eating well and consistently so. On the Les Halles topic - Mr Bourdain seems to rate Scott Bryan significantly higher than himself as a chef and I'm to take his advice in this instance! Anyway, Jeffrey Steingarten once ate at Alain Passard's Paris restaurant for several days in a row and he should know better than me!! Incidentally, having noted the continued debate about Kobe beef etc I can recommend his article 'Where's the Wagyu' in the book 'The Man Who Ate Everything' - it would appear it answers at least some of the questions and corrects some of the inaccuracies I have read.

Wow - thanks everybody. Clearly I have no option but to extend my trip by about a month!! Unfortunately this is not possible so I have [i think] arrived at the final list. Which ever way one looks at it I will be returning to the UK a couple of sizes larger than when I left! I really am grateful for all you help and hope I'll find some supporters out there in my final choice. It's the concierge at the hotel I feel sorry for but at least from the 13th he can make the reservations and forget about it. Here they are then: Lunch db Bistro Montrachet River Cafe Bouley Cafe Boulud Dinner Balthazar Veritas Daniel 66 I've left one of the evenings free to add a small element of excitement! Many, many thanks for your help [and apologies to those of you whose recommendations I haven't taken yet - they'll have to wait until August]. If I survive [the Meaning of Life sketch springs to mind] I'll be sure to pass on my comments. Regards Dean

Cabrales [you did ask] - here 'were' my initial thoughts on lunch: db Bistro [as mentioned already] Cafe Botannica [we actually got married at the Essex House last year] Montrachet River Cafe [as already mentioned] Scalini Fedeli/Waters Edge Waiting in aniticpation to be 'shot down'! Regards Dean

Apologies to Big Bear - clearly I have sensitivity issues - I took his welcome as an abridged 'You're welcome' in response to my advance thanks!! That aside - many thanks to everyone who has contributed - I've more 'food for thought' which will almost certainly have the concierge at the hotel cusing my name!

Cabrales Accept the point on Nobu. I've been to the one in London [and Canary Wharf] but had heard they didn't compare particularly well. In terms of lunches I had made an additional list but as a 'new poster' didn't want to deluge the forum with my ignorance in one go!! We have a fairly flexible approach to lunch although I suppose should be conscious of not over-eating bearing in mind our evening destinations. The only definite is the River Cafe [for sentimental reasons more than anything else] on the Sunday. I personally have wanted to try the [in]famous burgers of db Bistro for some time - even more so since reviewing the threads here! Other than that your guidance would be greatly appreciated Regards Dean

Jordyn Thanks for your questions and apologies for the ambiguity. We don't have any particular preferences [although I do love French] and will eat just about anything [once]. As far as budget is concerned no problem either. For a wedding last year we ate at Picholine the night before, 11 Madison Park on our wedding day and had brunch at the River Cafe the following day. We thoroughly enjoyed all of them [for varying reasons] but if I had to pick the 'stand out' it would be Picholine. As far as Veritas is concerned the wine is precisely the reason I am going - I have even picked the wine I hope to have from the on-line wine list! Balthazar and Da Silvano were recommended by the hotel concierge based on our request for somewhere a little lively and less formal than the others. Big Bear Allow me to commend you on your remarkable wit - any relation to Oscar Wilde - and withdraw my gratitude! Regards to one and all Dean

I am visiting NYC [from the UK] in March with my wife to celebrate our anniversary [we married in NYC last year]. The north of england is scarce [to say the least] in terms of fine dining and I plan to over indulge during my visit. I wonder if the members might venture their opinions for the perfect five night dining sequence. I have [with the help of my hotel concierge] come up with a draft list and would welcome some opinions before making the reservations. 1. Balthazar 2. Veritas 3. Daniel [non negotiable!] 4. Da Silvano 5. Nobu We are returing for the US Open Tennis in Aug/Sep where we plan to try some of the 'less obvious' destinations so please forgive the [possibly] predictable thinking. Many thanks in advance Dean