Ithaca

Went there in summer for a friend's graduation dinner, good job I wasn't paying. The food was not bad, we shared a sushi/shishimi for a starter and a prawn for my main course. The price was way over the range which I was prepared to pay for the quantity of food I got. My dish which cost around £25 consisted of 2 large prawns cut up and stir fired with a small quantity of vegetables. I finished it in less than 3 minutes. Some friends of mine had a Chilean Cod, they finished even before me. The restaurant is nicely decorated but the seats (sofas) were terrible with not much bad support. Service was good. But for the price, unless I win on the lottery, don't expect me back.
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Edmund T
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Sunday, December 20, 2009

We booked a table Ithaca and we were extremely well looked after and the food was simply spectacular. I had never been to a japanese restaurant so I was not really looking forward to it as I am not a massive fan of fish. Anyway the restaurant manager explained the menu to us and my group ordered a combination of sticky rice and veg and sea bass and i think the cod?

Any way at this point the manager starts talking to us and I make it crystal clear that I am just not a fish person. He suggests the duck and the lamb dishes to me and also suggests that we order a platter of mixed sushi to share. A few of my group had had sushi before and a few were willing to give it a go and i felt like I was under pressure not to be the odd one out ! So I think to myself in for a penny in for a grand! The Sushi arrives the sweet eastern european waitress brings it over and I am the last to try it but I am only going to try the salmon because its familiar ! Oh my gosh it was actually delicious nothing like the disgusting I m going to have to spit it out initial thought...

So the Manager comes over to see if we enjoyed the sushi?? I actually wanted more I had tried tuna, salmon and prawn sushi it was such a surprise I mean I actually liked sushi. I dont like humus and cous cous and I dont live in Chorlton but I do like the sushi at Ithaca.. Everyone else was equally impressed and we eagerly awaited the main courses...

My duck breast came sliced with some fancy looking carrots and had a sauce that had a lovely tangy orangey carroty taste... really nice. the duck itself was cooked to perfection and was not too dry and chewy, the opposit it was spot on. I actually tried some of the sea bass which was so light and tender that it melted in my mouth.

I am glad I gave it all a go and felt compelled to persuade people to give it a try..even if you dont like fish or japanese food, Ithaca is special the attention to detail, the flavors, the food, the service and the value for money are all unquestionable the finest in Manchester. I only gave it 8/10 for atmosphere but it was only 8pm on a Tuesday night and it did get busier as we were eating.
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anon boye
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

4 of us travelled from Leeds last friday to check ithaca out .. it was well worth it...not sure where the previous person adam who reviewed here ate because he clearly is talking rubbish... one prawn for £25 ?? dont think so ! we had a good selection of sushi platters and some black cod and they were really really good. 4 of us ate there and had a few drinks and the bill was under a £100... so we went to the bar upstairs food and had some cocktails that were on 2 4 1 which was great value and the music was really good and there was a good vibe all in all a great night and the food was fantastic. 9/10 from me.
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sue lee
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 03, 2009

Terrible. An absolute disgrace. We used a 50% off offer, and our bill was STILL £145 for two people (one bottle of modest wine) for food that was one step above microwave. Truly, amazing that anyone goes here.

Utterly tasteless courses such as Prawn (yep, ONE prawn for £25) and seafood dumplings, which set new low marks. I've had much better flavours at a Chinese buffet.

Even at 1/2 off this place is a total rip-off. I'm sorry I didn't praise the New Samsi more highly in my review. I really appreciate it now....their food is much better than Ithaca at one THIRD the price.
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Adam Roberts
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Over the top prices and decor. Food was ok, just ok. Service 1 out of 10. Does the owner realise his place is in Manchester not Monaco?

I have been to Japan and using frozen tuna is unacceptable, and why do they not make their own kimchee sauce?
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, December 13, 2008

I have visited ithaca twice now and I really was disappointed on both occasions On my first visit, the food was okay, but at £50 a head for 2 courses, coffee and one glass of wine, I expected far better.

The service was pleasant enough and the decor is fabulously over the top with a disco-meets-boudoir ambience.

My second visit was even worse. I booked in for a 7.30pm table mid-week, but they were 'overbooked' and my boyfrined and I were asked to wait at the bar. By 9pm we were still waiting, and left to go elsewhere.
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Stephanie - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Disappointing to be honest. I don't usually write reviews although I often read them on this website. The food here was overpriced and the portions were way too small. I had a starter and a main course and still felt hungry after i left! That never happens! The atmosphere was dead and I was in there on a friday night with my girlfriend. Pretentious decor, very square table setting. Basically I just really didn't enjoy it and had a feeling whilst I was in there that we weren't the only ones.
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, October 13, 2008

Went to Ithaca for our wedding anniversary, was impressed with the restaurant. It was a Monday night so was quite quiet but still felt like it had a good atmosphere. The cocktails were really good and the food was excellent. We would definitely go back again.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

If only all restaurants were like Ithaca! The food, although of a very high standard, came secondary to the superb service from the moment we stepped through the door. The black and silver theme makes for a glamorous dining experience. The food was great, and the imaginative cocktails served in the cosy top floor bar were well executed. Will definitely be returning in the future.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, August 09, 2008