Mr Cooper's House and Garden, Manchester (1)

Time of visit: 14 September 2013

“Until you try his creation, you would not know that Simon Rogan is a genius.”

To say the food is delicious is a great understatement. It is food with a touch of a genius added to it. The place is very nice. My husband and I went there tonight, it was the second night since it has opened to public. Everything, including the furniture, was still fresh and smelled nice. The service was excellent -I could not thank enough to all staff who were very attentive and nice.

I had a moment of "Oh darling, I don't want it to end" when I ate my main, the lamb rumps. 

Definitely we will return (by the time I wrote this blog I have returned to Mr Cooper's twice).

Love the ambiance.

Elegant.

Love the ambiance.

Non-alcoholic Pink Ivy: Pomegranate juice, lime, Japanese green tea, rose lemonade. Served with pomegranate seeds and an edible flower.

Starter: Nick’s meatballs with hyssop, baked apricots and tzatziki.

Starter: Nick’s meatballs with hyssop, baked apricots and tzatziki.

The icon.

Starter: Chicken wings in pomegranate molasses, chives and sepia noodles.

Main: Cumbrian rib steak, truffle pudding and purple potato latkes.

Main: Cumbrian rib steak, truffle pudding and purple potato latkes.

Main: Minted chargrilled courgettes, lamb rumps and spiced lentils.

Main: Minted chargrilled courgettes, lamb rumps and spiced lentils.

Dessert: Apple butterscotch pie with cinnamon crème anglaise.

Dessert: White chocolate cake with pineapple-cardamom compote.

So long ...

The Rose Garden, Didsbury

Time of visit: 25 May 2014

I had 'that' moment again, here.

Last year I had a very delicious lamb dish at Mr Cooper's House and Garden. I was so impressed with it, I had to stop eating and told my husband, "Oh darling, I don't want it to end". Tonight, I had that moment again here in The Rose Garden when I had my main, sea bream in broth. It was the broth that blew my mind away. To say it delicious is possibly understatement. As I wrote this, I got to the point of confusion, didn't know how to describe the taste of the broth. I think you better try it, and please tell me how you describe it :)

The following day I got the right words: subtle, delicate, delightful.

We nearly missed the restaurant because the name written on the glass window is not very obvious, but fortunately I spotted this orange colour.

Interior. The restaurant is small, only 9 tables (2-6 covers each). But I liked the clean and fresh feeling once we entered it. 

The shakers are dancing.

Micro brewery.

My starter: White crab meat, spring onions, cream cheese, capers, smoked salmon, melba toast, watercress, crispy capers, capers vinaigrette.

His starter: English watercress, leek & maris piper soup.

His starter: English watercress, leek & maris piper soup, goat curd, artisan bread.

My main: Pan-seared fillet of sea bream, carrot, leek, potato & mussel broth, watercress, lemon oil.

My main: Pan-seared fillet of sea bream, carrot, leek, potato & mussel broth, watercress, lemon oil.

His main: Rump of Cheshire beef, duck fat rosties, honey mustard roasted parsnips, carrot & nutmeg mash, green, Yorkshire pud, rich beef gravy.

His main: Rump of Cheshire beef, duck fat rosties, honey mustard roasted parsnips, carrot & nutmeg mash, green, Yorkshire pud, rich beef gravy.

Condiments for his main. Didn't photo of gravy.

His dessert: Rhubarb and lemon tart with root ginger ice cream and rhubarb jam.

                                      

            My dessert: Choccy poppy orange. Steamed orange pudding, grand marnier butter sauce, popping candy ganache.

                       

Afternoon Tea at Sculpture Hall, Town Hall Manchester

Time of visit: 5 February 2012

My first 3-tier afternoon tea.

I have had various sandwiches, various cakes and scones, but I had never had afternoon tea in the form of 3-tier serving, and I was so determined to try one. 

It was a snowy and cold afternoon when I arrived in the Town Hall. I was delighted to see how elegant the building was, inside and out. 

Upon arrival in the cafe, I asked the staff that I would like a 3-tier afternoon tea. He said no, I couldn't have one because 3-tier afternoon tea was served for 2 people. He suggested me going to Midland Hotel that served for one person. Then he left. OMG.. I was very upset. I was tired, hungry and it was cold outside. He returned then said that he would serve me the afternoon tea. Oh thank God.

The atmosphere was great. The place gave the impression as 'posh'. It was quiet, only two tables occupied. But the food failed to impress. The cakes were dry, the sandwiches and scone were nothing special. I enjoyed sitting there though. 

I told myself, this is my first afternoon tea, there will be more to come.. at different places.

It was snowing outside and very cold.

The tearoom.

Bottom tier: sandwich fingers

Middle tier: scone with butter, jam and cream 
Top tier: lemon cake and almond cake.

The Town Hall.

Istanbul Grill, Cheadle Hulme

Time of visit: 10 May 2014

I had an eye on Istanbul Grill last year when my husband and I passed this place on the way to its neighbouring place, an Italian restaurant. The Istanbul Grill was well packed at that time, on a Saturday evening. I thought it must be good. I passed the place 2 more times before finally we set foot there last Saturday.

We found everything was great. There are 3 things I usually focus on when I eat out: food, service, and atmosphere. I have read some reviewers would consider other things, such as, tables without table clothes, no car park (I wouldn't mind to walk if the available car park is a bit far), service fee included on the bill, etc. So far I have not consider those. As long as the food is delicious (oh, actually one very important thing I would be put off, i.e. if the food is too salty), the service is reasonable and the atmosphere is okay, then I am happy. How about price? Well, you consider price before you step in, don't you?! That is why I never complained about price because I know what range of price I would have to pay before I enter a restaurant. Istanbul Grill ticked all my criteria. So, we will return to sample other things.

Oh btw, the Eurovision Song Contest was on that evening. One of the staff was talking to us, he was a great fan of Conchita Wurst, the bearded "lady" from Austria who, later that night, won the competition. I put this on writing to remind me that my husband actually tried to avoid watching the program that night lol...

The colour is uplifting.

Clean and nice.

Open kitchen.

Istanbul Sunset.

Starter: Platter for two.

His main: lamb kofte.

My main: mix grill.

My main: mix grill.

My special request: Chilli.

Lime Tree, Didsbury

Time of visit: 17 May 2014

I had wanted to try this restaurant since long long time ago but one way or another we kept delaying it. FInally, tonight we went there. We were very satisfied. The food was all delicious, the staff were all so great, very much customer-oriented, and the atmosphere was nice -my Mr was delighted to hear the 60s music played in the background. It might become our new favourite.

Arrived at 6pm, the side room (not the main one) was still empty.

Bollington, micro brewery.

We picked the same starter: mint & pea soup.

Soup without bread is not perfect :)

His main: lamb loin, couscous, moussaka, yogurt & vegetable. I tried every bit of them, all was delish!!!

Whilst writing this review, I am still thinking about this dish. It wasn't mine, but I tried some, and I liked iyt very much!

My main. Actually it is from the starter menu, but I had it as my main: scallops with spinach and lemon butter. Yummy!!

Side order: fried courgette with bread crumbs and parmesan, crunchy and tasty.