The Gourmet City Break

We've just returned from 5 days in Manchester with our son and we had a busy time.  Guy had booked an 'art' walk looking at a diverse range of the art on display in the city centre, from Pre-Raphaelites to graffiti.  During our time in Manchester we also took in the Town Hall, the Art Gallery, the Library and Primark.  But we gradually realised that our stay there was becoming a tour of restaurants; a veritable Gourmet break.

Our first evening, we all went to a small Ethiopian restaurant sited in a room above a Kebab take-away.  It was a good sign to see that real Ethiopians were eating there!  Lovely food, lovely people ... good honest 'home cooked' food.
The next evening we went for a Vietnamese meal before going to a play.  Again it was a small family-run restaurant, freshly cooked food, and a waitress who had only worked there for 2 weeks and tried very hard to be helpful. Another success.
The next day we had Sunday lunch at James Martin's (the current 'in vogue' restaurant of Manchester).  Not to be recommended!  The restaurant is situated in a casino and so it's not for under 18's but even Guy had to show ID!  You then had to walk through the casino to get to your table.  The decor was naff; no style and no obvious theme.  I felt that the waiting staff needed more training, the portions not big enough and, all in all not a memorable occasion.
The next night we ate 'at home' with our friends from Macclesfield and we had a better meal there than at James's.
Lunchtime on Monday saw us at a National Trust property, Keddleston Hall.  They had a small restaurant serving very nice fresh, wholesome, middle-class fare.  So much so, that Sue succumbed to the Beetroot Frosted Spice Cake! (NB gluten free)

It was actually very nice and the place was swarming with waiters ... very fast, efficient service.

Our final meal experience truly was an experience.  Our friends took us to a restaurant which had been recommended to them.  This can often be dangerous.  However, it was one of the best meals we've ever experienced.  Sue chose a 6 course Vegetarian Tasting Menu but was initially disappointed when the waitress explained that the tasting menus were meant to be for the whole table.  But, having talked to the chef, they were happy to do it for Sue, if we didn't mind waiting for some of Sue's 'extra' courses.  Sue then felt duty bound to take up the option of having a 'recommended' glass of wine with each course!!!  (We had to help her out with some of the wine!)  The food was very well cooked and presented with some lovely food combinations; a memorable evening.  It certainly knocked James Martin's into a cocked hat!

http://www.damsonrestaurant.co.uk/heaton-moor