With Mothers day coming up, we thought weâd offer up a few ideas where you can go as a family to dine, maybe have a couple of cheeky glasses and, not worry about the kids causing mayhem and upsetting your fellow diners.
My familiesâ favourite is always going to be the dim sum at the Yang Sing on Princess Street. On the edge of China town, this old established and world famous Chinese restaurant has been serving Harry Yeungs unique take on the Chinese snack since the late 1970s. I have been taking family parties there since not long after it opened. The expansive restaurant is on 3 floors these days, with plenty of room to stretch out around big tables seating 10 or more, or, in the cosy cushion seated alcoves. Kids love to sit here, and a party of 6 will enjoy the space. Tip - put the kids on the inside bench with the cushions and they then are immobilised until you leave the table! Theyâll enjoy the view of the pavement above too.
The dim sum is served only between midday and 4pm so time your visit well. A late lunch often means no tea to find later for the children.
I would recommend take the dim sum selection menu, select about one and half dishes each and a portion of noodles or rice between you and sit back. It will arrive quickly and as soon as it does tuck in.
Our personal bests include the special Yang Sing rice roll. A creamy rice roll (made with rice and potatoes, to add starch) stuffed with prawns, fish and scallops and with a tasty side of Chinese greens, dripping in a delicious mixed soya sauce. Even for the most faint hearted, this dish has always been a big success,filling and very tasty. We would add the succulent fresh paper wrapped prawns, some shui mai, perfect squid in light curry batter, duck in soft pancakes, crispy prawn envelopes with a divine sauce, and the piece dâ resistance- the amazing paper wrapped roast pork. This is a large piece of succulent pork steak with onions, cooked in grease proof paper and delivered to the table, then, cut up with scissors into chop stick manageable portions. There are another eighty or so choices to keep you happy, mostly unique to the Yang Sing. Some,such as the chickens feet may sounds unusual but, the vast majority will be loved by all. Finish off with a sweet dim sum. Our recommendation here would be the tiny custard tarts. Six to a portion and perfectly formed. Delicious.
All the family will love these tiny parcels of food. If youâve never had dim sum, now is the time to try it! Itâs great for sharing, with an average of 4 parcels per dish, which divide up nicely. You try a bit of each and, if you still want more when youâve finished the first order just shout and more will come! Often on special occasions such as New Years Day (UK and Chinese)and hopefully this Mothers day the chefs create festive specials, which are brought around on trolleys by the dim sum girls. Sometimes these are âunusualâ? and aimed more at the Chinese market, but most are just delightful. Try and be delighted. Take a risk and sample!
For drinking, a Chinese beer always goes down well with dim sum but, please make sure you have unlimited pots of refreshing Chinese tea on the table. Itâs the best hangover cure ever and cleanses the pallet thoroughly. The Yang Singsâ huge wine list is devised to match up with the unique tastes of the food. Try something adventurous for Mothers Day, and have the perfect meal accompaniment,in a nice crisp dry white or fruity red or both if thereâs a few of you! The champagne list is top drawer too!
The best thing about the dim sum is the bill! On average £10 per person for food and tea only, is a good measure. Booze will obviously tip the balance up and is not so cheap. So if youâre on a budget choose wisely and donât order kids drinks that wont get drunk.
So where are you heading this weekend you may ask? Well, Iâm going to be adventurous and not revisit old haunts.
The Sapporo Teppanyaki on Liverpool Road has recently got my attention. My daughter likes a bit of theatre and her mum likes Japanese too, so, weâre looking forward to sitting down at the teppan tables for some good food to be cooked in front of our own eyes. Itâs going to be an experience and I will let you all know how we do next week ,when Sapporo will be featured in detail on here.
Sunday for many means a roast dinner. Usually myself included. A couple of recommendations for you, but please BOOK EARLY, to avoid being stood in the rain.
Marmalade on Beech Road In Chorlton are laying on rare breed meats, such as Gloucester Red Spot pork and Welsh marsh lamb to go with your favourite veggies, for your mums and yours delight. These rare breeds are so tasty, and, daft as it sounds, the more you eat them the more the product will grow.
The Heathcotes empire used to consist of one cutting edge restaurant just off Albert Square. Your mum was always excited to go to there, these days there are three or is it four in Manchester? Grado have got a special Spanish menu including roast beef and pork, sea bass and a variety of tasty desserts. Funnily enough London Road in Alderley Edge has a British take on the same. The Olive Press menu at £25 looks the best value and, is a very child friendly venue. Serving up an Italian variant on the Sunday dinner. Expect roast beef, salmon and Goosnargh duck with all the necessary trimmings.
Wherever your going this weekend , itâs a day for mum. Look after her and make sure she is de-stressed. The key to a good Mothers day meal is taking the pressure off her! If the food, atmosphere and service are spot on, then all round it will be a good day. Enjoy yourselves and be safe on the way home.
Phil Jones