Run by lastminute.com, Manchester Restaurant Week has some very tempting offers, ideal for trying out new venues across the city. A selection of set menus at really good prices are on offer at the Brasserie on Portland, Grado, Ithaca, London Road Restaurant in Alderley Edge, Olive Press, Shimla Pinks and Tempus Restaurant.
The Olive Press is a small cosy place tucked away on Lloyd Street, between Albert Square and Deansgate. It seemed very popular for business lunches and the odd shopper when I went in this week. It recently won a Pride of Manchester award for being child-friendly so if you want to bring the nippers, be assured they are quite welcome.
I tried the lunch offer, which was two courses for £15 at lunch, or you could go for three courses for £25 in the evening. Itâs a really good solid menu â no skimping of ingredients just because itâs a set menu.
The wine menu wasnât sampled as this was a working day, but I spotted they had a bottle of Prosecco Frizzante for £19.95 or £3.50 per glass which sounds rather tasty.
A starter of Button mushrooms in garlic sauce came in a stout black dish and could have easily been a main lunch course. Tiny chopped mushrooms were covered in cream sauce, dotted with parsley, a hint of garlic and chunky pieces of pancetta. Two pieces of ciabatta for dunking in the sauce and a large slice of pancetta balanced on top finished off the attractive appearance.
A main course of Pan fried sea bass was light and fresh, and came with delicious oily crispy skin. The tangy aniseed flavours of the crunchy grilled fennel salad gave a bit of bite to the dish, while the new potatoes brought a touch of rosemary.
If desserts are your thing then the Strawberry semi freddo sounded pretty good, as did the Chocolate brownie fudge sundae and Italian trifle with raspberries and marscapone.
The evening menu sounded fabulous, with starters of Smoked salmon pate, gherkins and croutes; Garden pea and mint risotto and Pan fried chicken livers, with pancetta, balsamic vinegar and toasted ciabatta.
Thereâs a good choice of four mains including Roast chump of lamb with blue cheese polenta and rosemary sauce and chargrilled swordfish, with roast baby plum tomatoes, basil and pappadelle pasta. Four more desserts satisfy the sweet tooth, and include Black cherry tart with vanilla ice cream or Chocolate marquis with orange sauce.
If you want to try out Manchester Restaurant Week and get a bargain feed, book now because itâs only on until Monday, March 30.
Olive Press, 4 Lloyd Street (off Deansgate), Manchester, M2 5AB.
T: 0161 832 9090
F: 0161 835 3534
E:
W: www.heathcotes.co.uk/olivepress/