Restaurants

[pksrover]

Me and my girlfriend are considering which restaurant to go to for Valentines day, and one of the restaurants we've talked about is San Carlo in Manchester. Have heard that it is supposed to be good, but after reading reviews on the internet I'm not sure what to think. The reviews of the place are mixed, some says its amazing whilst other says its awful. Nothing in between. But a lot of celebs are going there aren't they, so it can't be that bad? Or are they just treating big paying customers better other people?

Anyone know anything how the prices are like?

Some restaurants I like in Manchester is:

- Kro2, Oxford Road: Nice food, nice place, decent prices.

- Cafe Rouge, Printworks: Really nice food, nice staff and decent prices.

- Moso Moso, Oxford Road: Thai/Chinese food. Amazing food, a bit pricey but worth it! Banquet B is recommended (btw do NOT try the spicy soup as a starter, unless you want to be thirsty of course )

- Bella Italia, Deansgate and Picadilly gardens: Nice food and decent prices.

Edited January 28, 2008 by pks1984

[Paul]

Livebait, Lloyd Street, in corner of Albert Square Only been once with some very old and dear friends who are very into their food. I wanted to be sure tbey had a meal to remember so had spent a lot of time looking at different fish restaurants. We went early evening, before theatre, and almost had the place to ourselves. Food was excellent, great choice but not so much as to turn it into a lottery, wine list is comprehensive with a bottle to suit most pockets. I can't remember what we paid but do recall that for four people, and we had everything we wanted, it was very reasonable. I didn't feel I'd paid over the top and had had good value.

I think there is a before 7.00pm offer of something around £13 per head for two courses. i would definetley go back.

PS - the online booking system is odd and may well tell you the place is fully booked. If it does call them because the online system only books a certain % of the restaurant.

You're right about Cafe Rouge, very reliable wherever you find them

Edited January 27, 2008 by Paul

[Ozz]

For something a little different in Manchester, try the Armenian Tavern just off the Town Hall front.

Link here

Can be quite expensive, but the food has always been great when I have eaten there. Saturday night can see live music too, not as bad as it sounds!

Or Heathcotes, which is in Jackson Row off Deansgate. Stunning food and service, stunning bills to match! Before the game at COMS last Jan, four of us spent £259 on lunch. Good job we won.

Edited January 27, 2008 by ozziejones

[Paul]

While we're on the subject. I have two nights in Worcester next week. Anyone got any recommendations in the area, I'm going to need at least two? I do love fish if you know of anywhere good.

[Tris]

We ate at Zinc in Manchester a while back www.zincbar.co.uk review here - however it has since changed ownership from Conran to Individual Restaurant Group. Certainly couldn't complain at the time and I doubt it's changed format too much - it's a bit poncy but hey it is Valentines Day!!

However I like the look of both Paul and Ozzie's suggestions, and I'm looking forward to trying both in the near future!!

[Tris]

While we're on the subject. I have two nights in Worcester next week. Anyone got any recommendations in the area, I'm going to need at least two? I do love fish if you know of anywhere good.

If you don't mind a 15 mile drive, then The Talbot Inn at Chaddesley Corbett is a fine public house. Drop me a pm if you do plan to go there.

[cletus]

Pity Dean`s Cafe isn`t still open

[LeChuck]

Oh I like this thread. I'm also after recommendations for the very same reasons as pks, but specifically Italian restaurants. I don't want anything that's TOO pricey, but I'd also like somewhere that will be a little more memorable than a standard run-of-the-mill place...so a nice compromise between the two would be ideal. An ample amount of vegetarian options is essential, but Italian restaurants generally cater quite well for this anyway.

Bella Italia, Deansgate and Picadilly gardens: Nice food and decent prices.

I heard awful things about the one in Picadilly Gardens, from the food and service to the grotty table covers. Annoying really because that's virtually the only Italian restaurant in Manchester that I know of...

My favourite restaurant in Manchester is Lal Haweli on the curry mile. I've been several times and the food is always great, by far the best I've tried in that area, and the service is always excellent. I suppose the decor could do with a face lift, but it's a minor complaint.

Edited January 28, 2008 by LeChuck

[pksrover]

Oh I like this thread. I'm also after recommendations for the very same reasons as pks, but specifically Italian restaurants. I don't want anything that's TOO pricey, but I'd also like somewhere that will be a little more memorable than a standard run-of-the-mill place...so a nice compromise between the two would be ideal. An ample amount of vegetarian options is essential, but Italian restaurants generally cater quite well for this anyway.

I heard awful things about the one in Picadilly Gardens, from the food and service to the grotty table covers. Annoying really because that's virtually the only Italian restaurant in Manchester that I know of...

My favourite restaurant in Manchester is Lal Haweli on the curry mile. I've been several times and the food is always great, by far the best I've tried in that area, and the service is always excellent. I suppose the decor could do with a face lift, but it's a minor complaint.

Have been at the one in piccadilly gardens a couple of times and the food, service and look of the place was good. There is another Bella Italia in the street Deansgate which also serves good food at decent prices.

Here's a link to Bella Italia Deansgate

San Carlo as I asked about in my first post is also a Italian (I love the italian food), and think from reading reviews online the prices on main courses might be around £16.

Heard about a thai restaurant called Chaophraya from a friend which is supposed to be good. Got some very good reviews as well, and the prices are not bad at all. Their menues and prices is on teir website here.

Thanks for the recommandations so far, keep 'em coming!

[LDRover]

Mughli on curry mile is bang on, great food and service.

Also like La Tasca on Deansgate.

Best Italian restaurant I've been to has to be Carlo's in Colne, if you can put up with the area and gobshited nature of the natives it's well worth a visit.

Good shout for Dean's Cafe though - always good to get a shoe shine off the rats in the toilets.

Edited January 28, 2008 by LDRover

[Manchester Blue]

Not got loads of time at present but my favourite Italian in town is Piccolino which I think is outstanding. Just near Albert Square and although not as cheap as some it's certainly worth the money. Opposite that is Croma which is decent and not particularly pricey.

If you want decent Italian and don't mind the place being a chain then one of the many Pizza Express in Manchester i'd recommend. I think there are at least 3 of them and they all do decent enough Italian food at good prices.

[Ricky]

While we're on the subject. I have two nights in Worcester next week. Anyone got any recommendations in the area, I'm going to need at least two? I do love fish if you know of anywhere good.

Paul, If you are into your Chinese Food there is an excellent restaurent in the middle of town called the Angel Chef. It's one of the buffet types where you help yourself, tere is a huge huge selection of starters mains and sweets.

I'll quickly ask in the office about fish places as I have a couple of mates who live over there, been spending quite a bit of time over there myself recently

[LeChuck]

Mughli on curry mile is bang on, great food and service.

I'll give that a try next time I decide to go. I've been to Punjab and what was Monsoon Nights (now Pink Garlic I believe). Apart from the water fountain in Monsoon Nights, neither impressed so I've always played safe since then.

Not got loads of time at present but my favourite Italian in town is Piccolino which I think is outstanding. Just near Albert Square and although not as cheap as some it's certainly worth the money. Opposite that is Croma which is decent and not particularly pricey.

Piccolino looks a bit too expensive, but I really like the look of Croma from what I've Googled so far.

Edited January 28, 2008 by LeChuck

[Claytons Left Boot]

El Rincon (Spanish) is very good tucked away behind Deansgate and Quay Street. Its address is Deansgate but it is approached from behind via Artillery Street. Authentic, good atmosphere and excellent food. Hmmm, can feel a booking coming on......

[Paul]

been spending quite a bit of time over there myself recently

I suspect I know what yoing Ricky has been up to

[pksrover]

I suspect I know what yoing Ricky has been up to

maybe his car is stationed in a garage there, I've heard rumours about a few car breakdowns. Still 'the purple penetrator'?

[JC4LAB]

If you fancy Preston..Bistrofrench with tribute bands(depends who's on of course so check) and dancing on tables after.....if you like Manchester & Indian then Nawaab Levenshulme or Karims Middleton.are a bit different...For Greek Plate Smashing & Greek dancing..Bazooki by Night might still be a goodnight..Casinos in Manchester are good for food if you fancy a flutter.

[Ricky]

You know me too well Paul.

Well, I had a word with a couple of people who said the Glasshouse on Friar street is very good. Basically Friar street in Worcester is where the majority of the better places to eat are located. Have a wander down there and I'm sure you'll find somewhere. The Glasshouse have an early deal which is 2 courses and a glass of wine for £15 per person which seems reasonable.

Still stand by the Chinese recommendation if you are into that sort of thing. One of the best Chinese's I've been to that's for sure.

[Paul]

Basically Friar street in Worcester is where the majority of the better places to eat are located.

I was at college in the area, so I know of Friar Street - at least where it is. we will take a wander down it one evening. Thanks

[LeChuck]

If you fancy Preston..Bistrofrench with tribute bands(depends who's on of course so check) and dancing on tables after.....if you like Manchester & Indian then Nawaab Levenshulme....Casinos in Manchester are good for food

Thanks, but I think I'll pass...

Edited January 29, 2008 by LeChuck

[colin]

I know this is a request for where to take the girlfriend for a Valentine's day meal so this probably doesn't hit the mark.

The Grand Buffet at the corner of Whitworth Street & Sackville Street in Manchester is a decent Indian with an all you can eat for £5.50 or £6.50 depending in when you eat.

Not that I'm promogulating gluttony, but you can have a bit of each of about 20 dishes for the money.

The Nawaab in Levenshulme as recommended by JC4LAB is the same, a bit more expensive & a bit more upmarket, and has a lot more recipes to choose from.

[Mike Graham]

San Carlo is great. Good food, decent service and almost resonable prices. Th down side is that Alex Ferguson frequents the place. Even has kosher kitchen!

[cletus]

is the kyber cafe still open?

[blue phil]

Yes .......it's still open after 42 years .

(The naan bread was still at its supreme best the last time I had a takeaway ......)

[Cheshireblue]

Livebait is OK, better food at Simply Heathcotes around the corner. Sams chop house is still the best place to eat in Manchester with it's charm and good honest English food. Piccolino's is good for italian as is Croma opposite it.

Armenian Tavern is a good shout, not necessarily romantic though. Juniper in Altrincham is good, but very expensive (Michelin star). The yang sing is till just about the best chinese although anywhere in China town is pretty good. Stock is very good, and probably a bit more along the line sof what you are looking for. It's the old stock exchange building between king street and market street. Very good wine list.