Michael Caines' restaurant at ABobe Manchester features in food critic Jay Rayner's top 10 'value' restaurants in the UK. In the Observer Food Monthly article, which also includes Michel Roux Jr's Le Gavroche and The Magpie fish and chip shop in Whitby (which, incidentally, took first place), Rayner praises ABobe's French-influenced restaurant, describing the food as 'an absolute steal'. In particular, he likes the restaurant's lunch deal of three courses with wine for £32.50 or two for £14.50 without. We like it too, the only drawback being the cellar location of the restaurant. For more airy surrounds - yet equally, if not higher, quality fare - we like the lunch offering at The French. Presided over by another multi-Michelin star chef, Simon Rogan, diners who book in advance can enjoy six courses for £59 at lunchtimes. And if that's still a bit of a squeeze, there IS a cheaper three course menu, but it's only available 'on request'. Watch this space for a new Top 10 showcasing some of the other excellent value restaurants in Manchester.
Simon Rogan at the French, The Midland Hotel, Peter Street, M60 2DS. Tel: 0161 236 3333, www.the-french.co.uk. Michael Caines at ABobe, 107 Piccadilly, M1 2DB. Tel: 0161-247 7744, www.abodemanchester.co.uk