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Mrs Woman

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  1. Had the 12-course menu at L'Enclume last night, absolutely superb! Only one 'meh' dish, the rest delicious. Stands outs were Wervereux peas and crab sacks, some duck scratchings, and salt and vinegar 'crispy rice' with cod yolk and cream of egg and bacon, and a dish of hogget with cider sauce was a revelation. Compared to Sat Bains a couple of months ago we far enjoyed our meal at L'enclume more. No disservice to Sat as our meal was good there but last night at L'Enclume just hit more spots with us! Will write up a review of both SB and last night when I get chance.
  2. Will be enjoy first full night away from Master Woman in a week and half when we visit here for Sat's midweek room, dinner and breakfast deal - can't bloody wait.
  3. Fantastic news! Well done! Thanks 'Joe' Need to get some quality eating done before we become poorer and exhausted!
  4. Martin Caines? Is he Michael's brother? Will be trying Abode in couple of weeks for birthday hopefully. Oddfellows definitely worth a try but ask to sit in the more intimate-seeming main restaurant 'upstairs' (on same level as bar, sounds odd but trust me on this) rather than the fishbowl like 'Pantry', which is at ground level and looks out on the street. There ARE some issues with waiting staff (some useless, some good though) but food has generally been quite good on a upper mid-range level (it't not fine dining by any stretch of the imagination).
  5. We were at Plas Bodegroes a couple of weeks ago for two night - funnily enough the same week that Aled Williams was on GBM and deservedly (IMO) won the Welsh heat. I have to say we were pretty impressed with both the hotel and the restaurant - we had a fbulous couple of days. Their house-blend tea is great and the breakfasts are lovely. Stand out dishes from our two meals were a starter very much like offcentre's one below, except the black pudding scotch egg and lentils had a good wodge of exquisitely cooked crispy topped belly pork. I also had a delicious starter of sweet, sweet scallops with mini cauliflower pannacottas. I don't normally choose chicken but a main of crispy skinned breast with legmeat 'sausage' (mmm, buttery and so tasty) with butternut squash tortellini and a sage sauce made me glad I did. The canapes and desserts were good but nothing exceptional, expect for a bara brith and butter pudding with Welsh whisky ice cream and little blobs of mango sauce (sounds odd but worked quite well) The staff were so unfailingly helpful, relaxed (in a good way!) and friendly that it was a joy to stay and eat there. I couldn't do any damage to the wine list and we had to forgo a special Chateau Musar night there as I'm not drinking due to upduffedness (although I did unintentionally eat the chocolate mousse on one of the desserts - oops!). Mr Woman loved it all so much he was making plans to come back at some point this year!
  6. Tried out the Cloud Bar myself on night of afore-mentioned birthday, but I quite liked it, although it did help that we'd booked ahead, went straight to the front of the queue and had a table waiting for us. Both cocktails I tried were pretty decent but I'm not sure the bar has enough atmosphere for a full evening. Anhoo, we went to Harvey Nics in the end and had the tasting menu. pretty darn good I thought but then I don't get out much these days. Also had some surprisingly decent grub at Walrus (using a voucher off Manchester Confidential, 2 courses and beer/glass of wine for a tenner). Will write up all when I get chance. Thom, it really is a wonder that you're not the size of a house after that little lot!
  7. Thanks Bertie, your "it's loud, we're busy, so if you don't like, you can go elsewhere' attitude is refreshing in its honesty I never expected the Modern to be fine dining or be as quiet as a church but I didn't expect such short shrift on the timings, that was all. I really don't like having a time stamped on me before I even sit down, you're always conscious of it while eating. I'm sure I can't be the only person who doesn't like this? Never mind, I'll try somewhere else. Long may you stay busy Bertie!
  8. Hi Bertie, are you trying to say that we should be happy with this hour and 45 minute slot then? Would it be the same at Harvey Nics or elsewhere on a Friday? I'm not necessarily looking for somewhere quiet when I meant 'relaxing' - I just didn't expect such table turning at The Modern. Hey ho better try somewhere else then.
  9. right well Mr W has booked the Modern but has been told they want the table back for 9.15 for a 7.30 booking - that's not even two hours! Not really what I was after for a relaxed birthday meal He is calling back to see if any flexibility but it's not a good start.
  10. Thanks everyone. Right, it's probably between The Modern (congrats Bertie!) and Harvey Nics at the moment then. A colleague of Mr Woman is trying to get us to go to Obsidian - I get the impression this place is all fur coat and no knickers? Is this right? Whatever happened to Lounge Ten as somewhere special to go?
  11. ok so I am heading to Manchester again in a couple of weeks for my birthday. have two nights at the radisson, one night will be the Oasis gig at Heaton Park and the next night will be my slap up birthday meal. Mr W is trying to steer me towards Yang Sing or Gaucho, Chinese and steak being his favourites, but hell it's MY birthday *stamps feet*. Where's good to celebrate/commiserate turning 33? On the list are The Modern, Abode (although the a la carte looks strangely uninspiring - has anyone been for anything other than the lunch deal), Harvey Nics restaurant and the Market for retro appeal (anyone been of late) Any to add to the list? I've been to the River Room and wasn't overly impressed. Not fussed on curry or Thai. Will consider anywhere else as long as it's in the city centre, the food is darn tasty, the decor isn't too shabby and I can be made a fuss of for one night of the year before I'm dragged back to drudgery! Cheers!
  12. Don't know if you've done your walk yet but the Mardale Inn (http://www.mardaleinn.co.uk/food.htm) in Bampton just outside Shap does really nice food - really good pub grub (Tamworth pork belly rolls dish a standout) with local ingredients. We stayed in January a week before the owner bought Uncle Monty's cottage!
  13. David, I used to be a big fan of B&P mini-chain but I have seen quality slip in the past couple of years. Only two weeks ago we visited the Alford place and had three very overcooked ducks and a bone dry piece of pork. A visit to the Pant Yr Ochain last year has similar results with tough, chewy, overcooked steaks. Not happy, not at the prices they charge. Harkers is ok, far too busy for anything other than bar food though. The chain sold out to a huge pub co last year so it looks like the rot may be setting in unfortunately. Now if you want simply cooked but great tasting food at a pub near Chester, head to Stuarts Table at the Farmer's Arms in Huxley for one of the best Sunday dinners around! Stuart himself is a bit eccentric but the guy in the kitchen knows what he's doing.
  14. Actually, there's four. The abysmal What's Cooking recently changed its name to Watergate Grill. It's on the same street (Watergate) as UATG so may be hoping to garner some of its customers. Don't be fooled though, the Watergate Grill is all fajitas and chicken wing nonsense. I've hear mixed reports about both Blackhouse and Grille (at the Blossoms Hotel) but I've never heard anthing bad about UATG. The upstairs bar has a roulette table on one bar, which may be good fun for your refined stag do. I've only had Sunday dinner in the restaurant downstairs but the roast beef was superb (as it should be in a steak house!). Perhaps give UATG a call? They may let you eat upstairs if they want to keep the restaurant 'intimate' (although I doubt they would). Not a steak or curry house but 1539 on the racecourse is supposed to be excellent (and has lots of 'man food' ) http://www.restaurant1539.co.uk/index.php *waves at Ian*
  15. As reported here three weeks ago! Not like you to be off the pace Mrs Woman, what's happened since your heyday on the Restaurant magazine newsdesk?! ← oops, I knew I should have searched first. Sorry, no longer a newshound, I juz chick peeples speelings.
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