Got the Mrs 40th coming up so reckon I can swing a night away in Manc leaving the kids behind with gran...

Looking to get us a good room in the Hilton but can anyone recommend a decent restaurant followed by a few cool bars.

Food-wise, anything but spicy and bar wise lively with a bit of decent music. Last time I went I was at the Northern quarter or Central One but I know Manc changes quite a bit so out of touch now... Any suggestions welcome, price not a problem seeing as it's her 40th ?? Don't get the whole "Living room" up it's own arse scene either

Northern Quarter is always my favourite area for drinking. Bars like Trof, Common and Odd were always good nights. There's quite a new place called Port St Beer House that's more towards Piccadilly Station - supposed to be all right, though I've never been myself.

If you're into Greek food then I'd recommend Dimitri's just off Deansgate (very close to the Hilton too). I went after my graduation last year and it was spot on. Not too pricey either! They've got a great outdoor forecourt kind of area, that I can imagine is great at night - probably feel like you're on holiday.

San Carlo is decent, can get very busy though

Wouldn't take your wife to port st beer house for her 40th birthday unless you're after a divorce.

http://www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk/resta...p?id=manchester

I think the bar in the Hilton is closed, pity as it's an amazing view, although I suppose you'd get that from your room anyway.

Food-wise:
There's a Tapas place called Evuna on Deansgate which has some good stuff and is romantic, you're close to Australasia there which is probably the highest end restaurant in Mcr right now- big brownie points for taking her there.
Jamie's Italian gets mixed reviews, but I've had some great food there and the building is amazing.

Drinks:
You can stick around the Deansgate area and go to Room and that kind of nobby bullshit. Might see an actor from Hollyoakes as people nudge into you at the bar wearing far too much makeup / aftershave.
Personally I'm more of a Northern Quarter type and would go along Thomas Street and High Street.
Start off at Trof (Thomas Street / Soap St) for a quick beer- always good music, always full but good fun. A bit further up Thomas you've got Apothecary which has a good selection of drinks and is nice enough. Further up Thomas on the left is Socio Rehab (opposite Blu, on High Street) for fantastic cocktails, and staff who really, really know their stuff- if you don't know what you want, just tell them what you normally drink and ask for something similar. Next door to Socio is Almost Famous- the newest place in town, if they're still serving food (burgers and wings) there'll probably be a queue down the stairs and out the door, if it's later on you should definitely check it out for a drink- they do some cracking shooters at the bar, and serve drinks out of jam jars. Next door to that is a Tikki place called Keko Moku, good fun but packed- if you order a Zombie they'll set it on fire- whether that's your thing or not is up to you, but I've had some great times in there.
Further down High Street, past the junction with Thomas St is Tusk, opened recently, African theme, good place- if things are mobbed elsewhere you should get in here no bother.
Back on Thomas Street there's not really much that I'd recommend for a special night out until you go fucking run past the Millstone, and saunter past the junctions of Oldham and Spear Street to get to Lever- left on Lever and there's a great wine bar called Bakerie for a classy end to the night. (Or head to the other end of Stevenson Square to Hula if you want it to end in carnage)

If you are pushing the boat out then without doubt this is the place to eat in Manchester: http://www.aumbryrestaurant.co.uk/

The two head chefs trained at the fat duck under Heston Blumentall and the food here is nothing short out of outstanding. OK its 10 mins in a taxi, but you'll be talking about the food for weeks. Cant wait to go back.

San Carlo is good but cuntsoup. However its little offspring across the road http://www.sancarlocicchetti.co.uk/ is very, very good my missus tells me having been 3 times in the last 2 months.

As the previous poster said http://www.australasia.uk.com/restaurant/ is meant to be superb too, but someone told me last week that the waiting list for a table is 6 weeks. How true this is I dont know, but worth phoning to check.

This place is good as well http://www.tnq.co.uk/ although its only small and you'd need to book.

There's also a place in the NQ that has only been open 2-3 week called SoLita. I haven't been (yet) but havent heard anything else but excellent reports about it.

I'd give Jamies Italian a miss as there's one in most major cities, but instead Rio Ferdinhand's http://www.rossorestaurants.com/ is worth a visit and a good and slighter cheaper alternative to San Carlo.

As for drinks then you wont get a better review than James C's of the NQ. I'd head there and stay all night as it is currently the best part of town for a drink.

Enjoy it, Manc is a good night out if you stay well away from the Printworks and can avoid the ever growing Hen & Stag parties.

I like the look of Aumbry, will have to give that a go.

SoLiTa is pretty good, been a couple of times- it's big hearty US food, (pulled pork, "deep fried coke"), in a sort of bar atmoshpere.

Wungit- have you ever been to that Suppa and a Cupp at Teacup? Amazing food, but they deliberately undersell it to leave some surprises when it arrives, and as a result it seems to be quietly finishing. Very frustrating- I could walk there in 5 mins from my place.

Mark Addy for a romantic meal?

Quote: JamesC wrote in post #9

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I like the look of Aumbry, will have to give that a go.

SoLiTa is pretty good, been a couple of times- it's big hearty US food, (pulled pork, "deep fried coke"), in a sort of bar atmoshpere.

Wungit- have you ever been to that Suppa and a Cupp at Teacup? Amazing food, but they deliberately undersell it to leave some surprises when it arrives, and as a result it seems to be quietly finishing. Very frustrating- I could walk there in 5 mins from my place.

Mark Addy for a romantic meal?

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Teacup is full of fools taking instagram photos of their cake, so make sure it's the proper Supper and a Cuppa menu if you do go. The other, daytime, food in there is OK if you enjoy paying 7.50 for boiled eggs.

Not checked out Southern 11 yet, but I like that style of food.

Out of town I've been to Ramsons- great food but we were so horrified by the guy who ran the place that it put me right off. Anywhere a short walk from a tram or train is good though, recommendations very welcome.

Some great advice off you boys here - ta for that - always the first forum I'll ask for help on !!!
Thinking Australasia as I've heard that elsewhere too but James and Wungit have got my head spinning with ideas :-)

We haven't mentioned http://samsmanchester.thevictorianchopho...asonal-1865.htm . An old one but a good one. The corn beef hash is something else. Probably not the place to go for a 40th, but worth a visit some other time. I doubt the menu has altered over the last 20 years but its good food done properly.

If you like Korean food then http://www.alexkim.dsl.pipex.com/menu/menu.html is a little gem. The decor is dated and you may be the only Western people in there but the food really is lovely. 2 out of the last 3 times we've been Ji Sung Park has been in there, which is a good sign. And it's cheap as cheaps.

There was another Korean on Suedehill which was another nice place to eat (more expensive than Koreana though), but I think it may have gone recently.

JamesC: I take it you live in or around the NQ? Have you tried http://www.vnam.co.uk/ on Oldham Road? Cracking place. Basic but great food.

Quote: JamesC wrote in post #11

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Anywhere a short walk from a tram or train is good though, recommendations very welcome.

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Go to teacup which is next to oi polloi for your breakfast

I'm a fan of The Market restaurant (n1/4) for English food and El Rincon (deansgate-ish) for tapas.

Quote: Ed68 wrote in post #17

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I'm a fan of The Market restaurant (n1/4) for English food and El Rincon (deansgate-ish) for tapas.

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Wungit- yep I live on Newton Street in the N4.
Market Restaurant is still good, went a few weeks ago. VNam- yep, lovely place. Koreana I've not been back there since Baek Du opened in Shudehill- spent 3 years in Seoul, and can guarantee that Baek Du is as close as you'll get to the real thing without going to New Malden (or err Korea). Love that place, and pretty sure it's still open. Seoul Kimchi on Upper Brook Street is good too, full of Chinese students most of the time.

El Gato Negro- never heard of that place, looks great though and I go over the M62 a lot to see my folks. That ones definitely on the list!

Sam's / Mr Tom's Chop House are smashing, the Back Pool Fold one (always mix up which is which) is pretty romantic too in the restaurant bit.

I'm starving now!

Beware the NQ does turn into the Wanker Quarter as soon as it turns 7 on a Friday. Decent in the week, but too many I've heard its trendy round here now knocking about , you know the sort work in recruitment spiky hair etc..

anyway my recommendations as the Mrs fancy's herself as a bit of a foodie so get dragged along to a different restaurant every week.

The market Restaurant as said , never fails and the staff are all really clued up , smack bang middle in the NQ but was their before it came the place to be etc.

The Ambruy , Very much a dining experience took the Mrs for her birthday last year, cant remember what I had cant say ive craved it again but was certainly a very good and special experience. Tasting menu sort of gaff out of town but worth the trip.

Lounge Ten : Never had a bad meal , again a bit of an alternative dining experience, they have a Magician or singer doing the rounds a Fortune teller in the toilet.. sounds gimmicky but it works.

West Didsbury has some great places to eat, try Bistro 156 and Rhubarb, also some great bars on the same road (burton road).

Bar wise, common and Soup Kitchen are always decent.

Quote: AlexOtterwell wrote in post #20

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Bar wise, common and Soup Kitchen are always decent.

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Quote: JamesC wrote in post #19

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Koreana I've not been back there since Baek Du opened in Shudehill- spent 3 years in Seoul, and can guarantee that Baek Du is as close as you'll get to the real thing without going to New Malden (or err Korea). Love that place, and pretty sure it's still open. Seoul Kimchi on Upper Brook Street is good too, full of Chinese students most of the time.

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Just to say thanks for these suggestions lads.

Taking the wife and my Mum out for food tonight after football and wanted some ideas. So many new places in the N1/4 since I moved out it's untrue - shame the vibe seems to be changing though.