JANUARY’S here and it’s payback time after the excesses of the festive season. Welcome to weightwatching, ‘Dryanuary’, ‘Veganuary’ or just plain being careful with the cash – it’s not an easy time to be running a restaurant or a bar. Hence the number of special offers all month (check out our definitive list).
It’s also a time to take stock of all those five-star places you meant to eat at in 2018 and never got round to. We’d suggest you play catch-up and support such quality establishments. Here are our Top Ten from a year’s reviewing where there was so much to savour. Plus a few further places we loved but have still to review formally.
Dishoom Manchester Hall, 32 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BT. 0161 537 3737.
Mana 42 Blossom St, Manchester M4 6BF. 0161 392 7294.
Tre Ciccio 4a Moss Lane, Altrincham, WA14 1BA. 0161 414 0196. Also at 26 Bramhall Lane South, Stockport, SK7 1AF (0161 439 8080) and coming soon to Ramsbottom.
Moorcock, Norland Moor Bottom Lane, Norland, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorks, HX6 3RP. 01422 832103.
Sugo Pasta Kitchen 46 Blossom St, Manchester M4 6AJ. Also Altrincham.
Grafene 55 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ. 0161 696 9700.
Elnecot 41 Blossom Street, Cutting Room Square, Manchester, M4 6AJ. 07496 152373.
Umezushi 4 Mirabel St, Manchester M3 1PJ. 0161 832 1852.
Bundobust 61 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AQ. 0161 359 6757.
Australasia 1 The Avenue, Spinningfields, M3 3AE. 0161 831 0288.
Two other five stars failed to survive a turbulent year – Rabbit In The Moon and Nat Tofan at Manchester House (though original chef Aiden Byrne has returned to rescue the former Living Ventures flagship).
Honourable mentions too for Oystercatcher and The Creameries in Chorlton, WOOD, Porta, Mancumium, Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun. Ramsbottom’s Baratxuri, Rudy’s and Hip Hop Chip Shop in Ancoats… with high hopes for the upcoming Kala from Gary ‘Hispi’ Usher on King Street.