All reader reviews by Anonymous

The Restaurant Bar & Grill

One of, in fact perhaps my favourite place in Manchester. Truly great cooking, in a wonderful atmosphere. Simply a great place. Very highly recommended.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7

The River Restaurant at the Lowry Hotel

I had a great lunch here. Probably my favourite ever fish and chips. But the prices are full-on hotel prices, which makes it a bit hard to take. Still, based on one meal I had there, I can only say nice things about the food.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2

Michael Caines at ABode

I thought the food would be better. Some dishes were some quite good...some just made me scratch my head. Not bad, but I'd eat the food at The French (Midland Hotel), or Restaurant Bar and Grill any day before eating at this place again.

Again, it's not bad, but I think they are so caught up in being "cutting edge" that sometimes things come out that look better than they taste. Service reminded me of what you'd get if you took some young kids and sent them to hotel school, and this was their first job. Awkward, but well-intentioned.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5

Wagamama

The starters are pretty decent. The mains are bland and hopeless. Why eat at a Wagamama when there are REAL Japanese restaurants in town?

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4

New Samsi

I am happy to add my recommendation to this place. Very solid food. Not spectacular, perhaps, but very good. We eat here on a regular basis, and the place deserves to be supported!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6

Malmaison Brasserie

Decent but not great food at fairly steep prices. Unless you're staying at the hotel I can't really think of a good reason to eat at the Mal. In fact, even if you ARE staying there, it's not that much of a walk to places that are a bit better.

Still, not a bad experience, and they do try hard. The bar is quite a nice spot.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4

New Hong Kong Restaurant

A very good restaurant. VERY much aimed at Chinese clientele. You won't see many "Round Eyes" (that's us....White people :-) there, and the service is not particularly friendly. But put all that aside. The food is fab!

They have a menu for Round Eyes, and a menu for Chinese people. Some of the stuff on the Chinese menu you may not like, but some is terrific. I like to mix and match from both....and both are written in English. Well worth a try.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5

Pacific Chinese & Thai Restaurant

Wow, I must disagree. I am not particularly easy to please, but I REALLY like Pacific (the Chinese section at least, I haven't tried their Thai option).

For lunch you get a nice bowl of soup and a great main, along with rice for only £5.50, which must be the bargain of all time. The food is well above average, and I have never failed to get good service there. I am mystified at some of the reviews below, to be honest. Along with Wings and Fu's, one of my favourite Chinese places in town.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9

Little Yang Sing

Every bit as bad as "big" Yang Sing, which is all you need to know.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0