THE Internet does a brisk trade in Freemasons’ gavels. I’m spoilt for choice, whether I want a skull’s head curiosity concealing an arcane seal (eBay) or a solider number crafted from kiln-dried Minnesota walnut and ...
Reviews
Review: The Anthologist, St Peter’s Square
EVERY child’s party dream is a chocolate fountain with marshmallows; so why does this grown-up cocktail aficionado’s heart not sing when confronted by a ‘Negroni Fountain’? Maybe I don’t like my favourite tipple ‘on draught’, ...
Out of town review: Moorcock, Norland
A FAR from pretty moorland pub lauded to the skies for its innovative cuisine by the Observer’s Jay Rayner and fellow food critic Marina O’Loughlin of the Sunday Times. It lured ToM to take the ...
Review: Sugo, Sawmill Court, Ancoats
WORK never ceases at the dark end of Blossom Street, Ancoats. One day the Sawmill Court residential development will be finished, but for now beyond Elnecot you negotiate a narrow building site passage and step ...
Review: WOOD five course tasting menu
ENGLAND are heading for the dreaded penalty shoot-out and we are preparing to tackle the final course of a tasting menu. Will it be a winner? These parades of dishes with paired wines can be ...
Review: Grafene, city centre
TIMES food critic Giles Coren lamented the other week how his role meant he never went back to any restaurant he loved. Novelty is all in the review game. More so for a national scribe ...
Review: ‘Evening Tea’ at the Midland Hotel
JUST as Breakfast begat Brunch it was inevitable that Afternoon Tea might one day morph into Evening Tea. Not so very different from that traditional hearty Northern High Tea, maybe, only posher. Certainly at The ...
Review: Elnecot Summer Menu
SMALL plates are not going to go away any time soon. Grazing seems to match the attention span of a millennial media surfer. Download six dishes between us – we’re no longer attached to the ...
Review: Umezushi, Mirabel Street
IT is the most expensive single prawn I’ve ever eaten – and the most delicious. A deep-sea Carabinero, so called because the striking colour of the shells matches that of a Spanish policeman’s uniform. In ...
Review: The Creameries, Chorlton
IDEALISM is a precious commodity. One to be treasured in a world where food can be as fake as the news. The Creameries has set itself a standard as outlined by co-owner Soo Wilkinson prior ...