AFTER all the plaudits for Simon Rogan at The French now for something completely different. Well thats the vibe about Mr Coopers House and Garden, which opens in the Midland Hotels old Colony space on Thursday, September 12.
The name of this more casual dining space comes from a market garden run by a man called Cooper on the site, supplying produce to the city in the early 1800s and is meant to reflect this culinary heritage. In truth, the menu roams the world for influences and is priced more reasonably than the top-end French, even offering a children's menu.
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The place is certainly going to be big at 150 covers three times the size of The French with an additional walk-in bar seating 50, but the menu is still under wraps. When the project was announced Midland general manager Mike Magrane was quoted as saying: The restaurant is going to be much more informal than the French and will appeal to a wider audience. It will bring a completely new concept to the market and represent a break away from Simons current British repertoire by offering a more international flavour .
Simon Rogan confirmed: "Mr Cooper's is going to be an exciting new challenge for us it's a bigger site than we have done before and we will be spreading our culinary reach beyond our usual UK-only ingredients, taking influences from all over the world."
Mr Coopers House & Garden will include a garden room, made with natural materials, offering an all-year-round summer feel with cascading wall of plants, 30ft tree and gazebo.
The 50-cover destination bar, comprises an opulent library with curved seating and booth areas and a luxurious semi-private study with leather booths and low level lighting. Expect special herbal cocktails, too.
Great British Menu chef Aiden Byrnes fine dining establishment at Manchester House opens the following week. Heady days for Manchesters diners.