IT’S a year exactly since Taste of Manchester gave West Didsbury’s Rose Garden a five star review. We were not alone in cherishing William Mills’ aspirational independent neighbourhood restaurant, alone on the Burton Road strip in not trying to be a bar as well.
Such a shame that the Garden has wilted. After six years of championing Modern British dishes in a sleek, minimalist environment (designed by architect dad Geroge) William and wife Emma are off to Cornwall to start a new life. The last service will be on Wednesday, May 10.
In a statement posted on social media over the weekend, thanking customers and staff, the owners cited family reasons for their decision to close; “following the birth of our second child we have found the demands of running a restaurant whilst trying to enjoy some semblance of family life, has become too much and have taken the decision to move down to Cornwall as it has always been our dream to live by the sea.”
This sea change is is Burton Road’s loss. The Rose Garden was awarded an AA Rosette in 2015, appeared in the Good Food Guide from 2014 to 2016 and was also listed in the 2016 Michelin Guide. It was shortlisted for best neighbourhood restaurant in last year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards.
It’s the latest in a suburban casualty list this year that includes Damson Heaton Moor (‘downsizing’ to a rotisserie) and De Nada in Chorlton.
