Why no mitchelin starred restaurants in Manchester?

[Soir]

Used to be one in Altrincham (juniper & wasn't great)

Some really nice places in m/cr such as Michael caines, lounge 10 and recent Australisia but none with a star?

My brother lives in herts and there are 3 places with 8 stars (yes 8!) between them within a 6 mile radius

[Soir]

Despite I can't spell Michelin

[sal 965]

I live in the area but it is as simple as, Manchester restaurants just aren't good enough. Plenty of good ones but they don't go the extra mile in service, ingredients or consistency.

We head out to the Devonshire at Bolton Abbey if we want a "star" meal.

[sal 965]

Oh, and I guess your brother isn't far from Bray

[Calculator]

The people of Manchester don't want fine dining. They want visibility and the opportunity to bump into Mario Balotelli.

That said, Pilling's new place (Courthouse?) should be decent, Australasia is solid and if Harvey Nics had the consistency then it may be worthy of a star.

There are also a few very good places outside of the city - Aumbry, Damsons, Rose Garden etc.

[LooneyTunes]

Calculator said:

if Harvey Nics had the consistency then it may be worthy of a star.

Really? I've never once had a meal there that came even close to those standards.

I must admit though, I too find the lack of decent restaurants absolutely baffling.

The only thing I can think of is that those in the restaurant trade just don't see any opportunities and do sometimes wonder if the physical geography of Manchester makes it harder than in London - i.e. whether there's much appetite amongst the city centre crew to head out to say AE or vice versa to dine (especially if you don't want to drive yourself)?

[tontoro]

Soir said:

My brother lives in herts and there are 3 places with 8 stars (yes 8!) between them within a 6 mile radius

wheres that then? He must live near two 3* and one 2* restaurant, so either london or bray, not herts?

[LooneyTunes]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Not sure I necessarily agree with that. I know a good few foodies who could afford to eat at starred places regularly BUT wouldn't want to go to the same one over and over again - but you're right it would impact the revenue potential of any given restaurant.

I suppose the other big factor is the lack of corporate expense accounts and differing client entertainment expectations in the North.

[dazco]

There is plenty of fine dining in and around Manchester. Is it worth getting hung up on the Michelin star?

Edited by dazco on Sunday 9th October 11:08

[Calculator]

LooneyTunes said:

Calculator said:

if Harvey Nics had the consistency then it may be worthy of a star.

Really? I've never once had a meal there that came even close to those standards.

The problem is they are awash with promotions (weekdays esp) and the quality suffers. If you eat from the full 'a la carte' on a Saturday night, its the best in the city.

[NorthDave]

Calculator said:

The people of Manchester don't want fine dining. They want visibility and the opportunity to bump into Mario Balotelli.

That said, Pilling's new place (Courthouse?) should be decent, Australasia is solid and if Harvey Nics had the consistency then it may be worthy of a star.

There are also a few very good places outside of the city - Aumbry, Damsons, Rose Garden etc.

Actually I think the people of Cheshire are the ones who want to be seen. There are plenty of good restaurants but all the ones which are suitable for star status spend more time trying to get footballers on to the VIP tables than cooking a good meal. If you go in half the restaurants on a Saturday or Friday night then they are awash with bright orange people trying to outdo each other on who is the flashest.

[jbaddeley]

The tasting menu at Aumbry is a good as several Michelin 1 star restaurants I've tried. Try it!

[New POD]

Maybe the people of Manchester are not as Pretentious as we in Merseyside like to think they are.

[51mes]

prefer Nigel Haworths - Northcote Manor to the Devonshire @ bolton abbey...

http://www.northcote.com

But both good...

Simes.

[WCZ]

Caines is very good as is the Lowry, both are borderline worthy of a star imo, San Carlo too.

Wings is also very very tasty and one of the best Chinese Restaurants i've ever been to.

[Zod]

WCZ said:

Caines is very good.

He has two stars at Gidleigh Park.

Anyway, the reason Manchester restaurants have no stars is that they are on the wrong side of the Pennines. There are plenty of stars in Yorkshire.

[YRRunner]

51mes said:

prefer Nigel Haworths - Northcote Manor to the Devonshire @ bolton abbey...

http://www.northcote.com

But both good...

Simes.

The Devonshire isn't turning out shte like Haworth is at his other venues though!!! The Highwayman, Bull at Broughton etc, etc, make a mockery of who he his and what he's supposed to be about. Unfortunately his ethos does not extend as far as his ego and bank balance. Sad, but it seems these Lancashire boys (Paul Heathcote would be another example) just can't help themselves. I'm a lucky Yorkshireman, I have The Burlington at The Devonshire, The Box Tree in Ilkley and The Yorke Arms in Ramsgill all within a half hours drive and none of which also churn out mediocre pub grub.

[Soir]

tontoro said:

Soir said:

My brother lives in herts and there are 3 places with 8 stars (yes 8!) between them within a 6 mile radius

wheres that then? He must live near two 3* and one 2* restaurant, so either london or bray, not herts?

Sorry Bucks not Herts. He lives in Marlow (pub in Marlow has 2 stars. And 2 restaurants in Bray have 3 each) lucky devil

[Dirty Frank]

Mancunians tend to want quantity rather than quality, its a shame

That said, michelin star places are very pretentious and waste a lot of food in search of their idea of perfection.

[Zod]

Dirty Frank said:

That said, michelin star places are very pretentious and waste a lot of food in search of their idea of perfection.

Some are. Many are not, especially not the Yorke Arms.