Australasia is perfect for exploring Indonesian, Southeast Asian, Australian and Japanese flavours over an occasion supper. One of Living Venture’s flagship restaurants (they own Alchemist, Oast House, Blackhouse Grills and more), the bar boasts the kind of cocktail list you’d expect from these game changers, plus an impressive wine list served on an ipad tableside. Start with kumquat infused water before moving on to a smorgasbord of eastern flavours. Our favourites right now include soft shell crab California rolls, smoked eel and cucumber pressed sushi and sweet potato slices with Teriyaki dressing. Mains include crisp cubes of melting-soft pork belly, served with a remarkably companionable pineapple curry and pistachio-crusted lamb cannon with edamame and panchetta. Dessert has to be the famous mango soufflé which comes with a glass pouring jug of mango ‘soup’. Amid oyster tones and decoration inspired by the seaside, this newcomer has occasionally divided the critics but remains one of the city’s most chic and inspiring places to eat.

This venue is listed in our Taste of Manchester Taste Charts: