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/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/16774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16774 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/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/12903 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12903 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12690
The upper restaurant is the main one with a huge menu and very friendly and efficient service to your table. The food quality is superb and the place is extremely popular with a wide range of customers. The downstairs restaurant is my personal favourite. Ever since they established the all you can eat oriental buffet there, I have been going on a regular basis.

The choice is huge, especially in the evenings (Monday to Saturday) and all day Sunday. The price level varies depending on what time you go. But if you want a good value buffet-style meal anytime before 4.45pm Monday to Saturday, then this place is very hard to beat. Currently the cheapest price is £4.95.

The more expensive times (after 5pm Monday to Saturday and all day Sunday) are also good value because the food variety expands with a lot more seafood options, for example. I tend to go there before concerts or theatre evenings, because you know you can just walk in and be seated straight away and start helping yourself as soon as you are shown to your table.

Its location near the Palace Theatre and also the Bridgewater Hall is extremely convenient for pre-event dining.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12690 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12412
The parks are very enjoyable when hungover the morning after, before a bacon sandwich in one of the many coffee shops.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12197
You can just go in for a drink downstairs, try the cocktails - they’re lovely.

You can go early doors (5-7pm) and get a pizza for £6 and a bottle of wine for £10, bargain!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12197 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11183 Very impressed. My new favourite place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11183 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10678
Food was barely edible, service was slow and unfriendly. If you want great Asian food, go to London, New York, Paris or Hong Kong.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10678 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9864 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9864 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9003 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9003 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9002 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9002 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8977 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8977