http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19118 Walk or bike from Chorlton and cross the meadows.
Scrumptious.
Super for lunch.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19118 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18735 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18735 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18711 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18711 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18407 From clothes, accessories, sportswear, gaming, homeware, beauty and more - you are certain to come home with a car full of shopping bags.

There are also lots of great restaurants, bars and cafes to suit everyone's tastebuds after you've worked up an appetite from all that shopping - from Indian and Spanish cuisine restaurants to cosy coffee bars - you're bound to fine somewhere to satifsy the whole family.

As well as shops, bars and restaurants, the Trafford Centre is also the venue of many events such as fashion shows, dances and other competitions- it's also appeared on Channel 4's '10 Years Younger'.
So if you're looking for somewhere to shop, shop, shop - and then relax, the Trafford Centre could be right up your street!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18407 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17979 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17979 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17877 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17877 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17716
It was fairly quiet when we arrived and we were allocated (in my view) the best table which presented a 360 degree view of the wintry Manchester skyline, rotating big wheel and all. The decor was formal yet cosy, sophisticated but not intimidating - the dark solid wooden tables and chairs contrasting nicely with the floor-to-ceiling frosted windows, with a nice clear panel you could see out of to admire the view, thank you very much.

Being a huge soup fan, particularly in the winter months (and there's nothing I enjoy more than knocking my own up at home) for starter I opted for the Jerusalem artichoke and rosemary soup with chanterelles. It was delicious, smooth, creamy, satisfying and tasted surprisingly healthy too (although I'm sure it wasn't). My friend forwent the starter and straight on to the main course. Pollock, smoked haddock and Loch Duart salmon fish pie, with wilted spinach and of course a side order of fat chips. A suprisingly generous portion, (she struggled to finish) the pie was dominated to her delight by the salmon (all that omega 3) which was perfectly pink and a wonderful texture. I opted for grilled Goosnargh maize-fed chicken,
braised leeks and Cheshire smoked bacon & a grain mustard sauce.

The chicken was tender with a crunchy jacket, complemented wonderfully by the bacon and the mustard sauce gave it a bit of added va va voom. Resisted desert (but of course tried 'just a taste') of my friend's caramelised quince tart and vanilla ice cream, which outshone event the artichoke soup. A beautiful combination of sweet and sour, the caramel gave it an added twist that was very moreish. The ice cream tasted home-made - which I didn't expect - and had a creamy, custardy texture, which was perfect.

With two diet cokes each to wash it down (it was a 'working' lunch after all) it came to just over £30, astoundingly reasonable for something quite so thoroughly posh. Marks out of 10 - 8.9 and with the starter and desert both scoring a winning 9.9.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17425 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16810 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16810 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16290 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15838 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15838 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15722
I know people who travel miles to visit this place, as does Peter Crouch, apparently. I find it very difficult walking past on my way back from work, as the smells are to die for. Try the chicken makhanwala.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15722 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15492 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15492 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15457 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15457 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15453
I agree that curry mile isn't worth it unless you're very inebriated and after the experience of the location, rather than the taste of the curry.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15453 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15444 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15438 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15438 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13451 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13451 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13272
Decked out in leather sofas and dark wood tables it could fall into the trap of being yet another Bar 38 or Pitcher & Piano but it's all saved by well cooked food and service that just falls neatly into place.

Get in there and pretend you're in St Anne's Square. It's just as far, as owld Will Mossop would no doubt pipe up.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13272