FESTIVAL SEASON IS WELL AND TRULY ON ITS WAY AND USUALLY SENDS THE AGENT2 OFFICE INTO A SPIN AS WE ARRANGE OUR WARDROBE OF PERFECT FESTIVAL ATTIRE AND THE HOTTEST WELLIES WE CAN GET OUR HANDS ON.  THIS YEAR HOWEVER THE AMAZING PARKLIFE WEEKENDER ONCE AGAIN LANDS ON OUR DOORSTEP MEANING THE BIGGEST THING WE HAVE TO GET IN A TIZZ ABOUT IS BOOKING THE CAB TO TAKE US THE 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD TO PLATT FIELDS TO GET OUR FILL OF SUMMER FESTIVAL FRIVOLITIES’.

This year’s amazing line-up was revealed earlier in the year and has this week added more to its already massive line-up as Saturday’s headliner Two Door Cinema Club and Everything Everything join 90+ artists across two days. Despite only being on sale for six weeks 65% of tickets have now been sold for the summer’s best value for money festival, at only £58.50 per weekend pass. Live theatre, art installations, workshops and all manner of fringe attractions also on offer on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June in Platt Fields Park, Manchester.

Northern Irish indie trio Two Door Cinema Club will headline The Parklife Weekender’s main stage on day one of the festival, Saturday 11th June 2011. Having bagged the Choice Music Prize in Ireland for their debut release ‘Tourist History’ and a nomination in the BBC Sounds of 2010 poll the band are on a meteoric rise to success. Next to join the main stage are the Manchester based alt rock outfit Everything Everything, with outlandish lyrics and genre defying tracks their album ‘Man Alive’ has wowed critics. Both acts join a line up of over 90 bands, DJs and performers who between them represent the biggest and best in electronic, independent and cross over sounds.

There is little time to lose for festivalgoers wishing to bag tickets for Manchester’s only event worth attending this summer as 65% of tickets have now been sold. For only £58.50 fans receive true value for money with two days full of premier talent. For the second time in its two year history The Parklife Weekender is way on its way to another sell out.

Image: Sebastian Matthes

As well as the mind-blowing array of music on offer The Parklife Weekender will also play host to attractions including live theatre, art installations and sporting competitions. The festival has confirmed an all new Treehouse arena, a Tetris Light Box installation, circus performers and will be laying on both The Parklife Olympics and The Parklife Talent Show amongst many more weird and wonderful attractions.

The Parklife Weekender takes place Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June 2011 in Platt Fields Park, Manchester.

Parklife Weekender Tickets, priced at only £58.50 for a full weekend, are on sale now.

www.parklife.uk.com

Check out AGENT2′s great Parklife competition to win a pair of weekend tickets here.

OPULENCE IS THE KEY WORD AT VERMILION. ROYAL, REGAL AND DIVINE ARE THE OTHERS. MAKING AN ENTRANCE ON THE RED CARPET BETWEEN TWO HUGE STATUESQUE LIONS, A MOAT OF STILL LIT-UP WATER AND A THREE-STOREY RESTAURANT GLOWING WITH REDS AND GOLD, I COULD’VE THOUGHT I’D JUST STEPPED INTO THE SHANGRI-LA. BUT AS WE PASS THROUGH THE MAGNIFICENT ENTRANCE INTO A WORLD OF ASIAN CHARM, I AM GREETED WITH A SENTENCE THAT DRAWS ME STRAIGHT BACK TO MANCHESTER. “GOOD EVENING,” HE SAYS. “WELCOME TO VERMILION AND CINNABAR.”

Set outside of town, in Manchester’s Sport City, Vermilion and Cinnabar have made a name for themselves as the ultimate ‘destination restaurant’. If you come all this way, you most definitely do it for a treat. And at Vermilion, they have a few of those tucked up their sleeves. Ascending our way to the second-floor restaurant, my senses are imploding from the abundance of architectural and design features, the exotic scents that wisp delicately through the perfumed air and the charming ambiance of the low-lit room.

To really appreciate this 200-seater restaurant and 400-standing cocktail bar, Vermilion and Cinnabar first needs explanation. Set in, what can only be described as an industrial site, opposite the Manchester City grounds, this palace most definitely stands out. Fusing ultra-modern chic design with traditional Asian antiquities, Miguel Cancio Martins, famous for designing Paris’ Buddha Bar, definitely left his mark on Manchester with this effort.

The £5.2million project includes a majestic display of huge Buddha heads, a plethora of statues and exquisite screens, a central Buddha tower that runs through each floor, a temperature-controlled wine-cellar, two huge kitchens, one for the Indian cuisines and one for the rest; and of course, the spectacular private top-floor bar complete with footballer-friendly VIP sections.

Painted with a Vermilion red stain, the entire building succumbs to the opulence of its mystical Asian theme. Together with dim lights and candle-lit tables, the restaurant glows with a magenta sheen, adding warmth and fire to this spicy establishment. Flat pewter-hammered plates on circular mosaic tables give Vermilion its Indian authenticity, whilst jet black screens laced with spotlights, hanging lanterns and giant bamboo sticks merge this with a truly Oriental mystery.

Black chairs painted with Chinese water coloured flowers lends itself to Asia’s misty green waters and the plink-plonk music gives Vermilion  a chilled-out ‘Beach’ vibe that Alex Garland would be proud of. Yet, the bright rich colours, amber tiles and wall of floating flowers transports you to praying on the Ganges River in India. These detailed references to Oriental and Indian images makes for quite a difficult combination, but its fusion in the food is where it works best.

Choosing the Christmas Party Menu (£20pp), we were able to taste a wide range of Vermilion’s dishes from its thick, spicy Indian curries to its Chinese starters and famous Thai cuisines created by Chatchai Jamjang – “Thailand’s answer to Gordon Ramsay,” so we were informed.

And we were here to taste the legend. Sweet nutty chicken Satay, sharp fresh salmon sushi and succulent strips of rich chicken tikka cooked in a separate clay oven, succeeded as the first remarkable attempt at combining these incredibly different Asian flavours. The strong spices and smoky chicken contrasted surprisingly well with the fresh and light sushi rolls.

The next selection of dishes proved to be the ultimate in culinary combinations. The thick tomato curry of Deshi Lamb, the sweet chill kick of Phad Thai Prawns, a Vietnamese-tasting selection of Seasonal Vegetables in soy sauce, and Chinese stir fried Turkey Kra-Praow provided a brilliant apprenticeship in the best of Asia’s fine food. Nutty crunchy textures contrasted with crispy dried spinach, slick Chinese sauces, delicious lentil-thick curries, and soft sticky Jasmine Rice; sugary sweet flavours sat next to the chilli kick of the Pad Thai; citrus and basil blended effortlessly with the warm spicy curry; and thick succulent lamb accompanied the juicy prawns deliciously.

Combinations that might be deemed a hotch-potch of flavours seemed, for some peculiar reason, to work. I guess combining the finest in Asia’s shared ingredients was bound to make a perfect blend

For an after-dinner sup, head to Cinnabar. At the top of the spiral staircase that encircles a column of illuminating ‘floating’ Buddha heads, you will find the intimate and stylish cocktail bar.

Contrasting with Vermilion’s rich traditional features, decadent scarlet and burnt oranges, Cinnabar welcomes a more contemporary design with a giant bubble-ball ceiling, bright coloured seats and six steel pods where guests can recline next to each other at a cool £500 minimum-spending bar tab.

Cinnabar most definitely lends itself to a totally different vibe than Vermilion, looking more London 1960s than Indian or Thailand. But then this is probably quite a welcome scenery change, for a visit to Vermilion and Cinnabar, on the very outskirts of town, means that after a drink, you won’t be going anywhere else.

Totally chilled out, complete with a separate open-plan VIP cushioned area, the restaurant and bar together, have created the perfect package for the complete night out. Good because it’s a more than a trek back to the City Centre.

Everything at Vermilion and Cinnabar is carefully crafted and superbly detailed. You welcome the breaks in between courses just so you can go for a bit of a wander through the labyrinthine building. Its huge luxurious furnishings give the building a decadent edge that still emanates distinctive Asian designs, without the garish presence of billowing waterfalls and giant fish tanks.

It has thought of everything – a grand palace to absorb the interest of passersby and send intrigue running through restaurant sites; a huge car park to invite guests, guests and more guests; a wallet-friendly menu; private banqueting suites and function rooms for the all-inclusive parties and staff dos; an expensive and elite bar where premiership footballers squander their money, but most importantly, delicious authentic cuisines that combine the rich spices of India and the fresh flavour of East Asia. To me, by far, its selling point.

But then again, leaving on the red carpet in between two impressive stone lions, symbols of not just royalty, but also of England, Vermilion and Cinnabar proves that it’s its metaphoric fusion of just about everything that makes it a destination restaurant worth making the trip for.

And I guess, at a push, I could get used to hobnobbing with millionaire footballers, if I had to.

VERMILIONCINNABAR.COM

Words Natasha Al-Atassi

OVERLOOKING MANCHESTER’S CITY CENTRE AS THE RAIN POURS DOWN, THERE’S A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PLEASURE INVOLVED IN BEING WARMLY TUCKED UP HERE. SKYHIGH, I CAN SEE FOR MILES AS PEOPLE SKIP OVER THE PUDDLES DESPERATE TO FIGHT THEIR WAY HOME FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT THE BEST WAY TO SPEND A FRIDAY NIGHT IS HERE: SEDUCTIVELY TOASTY, SUITABLY COMFORTED, WITH A LARGE GLASS OF WINE AND RICH, HONEST BRITISH FOOD. HERE, AT MANCHESTER’S THE MODERN RESTAURANT, THEY KNOW HOW TO DO FRIDAY NIGHTS BEST.

Scrambling in from the horrible wet weather, I didn’t much look like I was ready for a posh night out. Umbrella inside out, hair straggly and wet, high heels soggy, all I wanted was a towel and a cup of cocoa. Situated in the iconic Urbis building, I had preconceptions that this was going to be the Sex And The City venue of Manchester, with unpronounceable cocktails and the trendiest PR-reps this side of the Pennines. But after schwooping in the lift to the top floor, I discovered that The Modern’s focus was more on style and pleasure than the over-crowded, snobby Cristal laden bars you could find anywhere. They might not have had cocoa, but after stepping out into the dark, intimate bar, I was most certainly ready for that cocktail.

The contemporary stylish bar oozed class: dark wood tables, giant lampshades, electric candles, floor to ceiling windows all echoed a chic, minimalist feel. And yet it felt distinctly comfortable. Tables were spaced out and little booths lined its edges offering exquisite panoramic views of the city. A rare perspective, in one sweep you can see the Wheel all lit up, the colourful Printworks and late-night shoppers crawling through the Arndale.

Here in the serene quiet atmosphere of the spacious Urbis building, staring at the cocktail book, I couldn’t help but feel a guilty satisfaction, shaking the last drips of water from my hair, that we managed to escape the crowded storm outside.

The professionally made cocktails seemed effortlessly concocted, laced with a touch of class. The formal waiting service was charming and the drinks, deliciously subtle. The Jayne Mansfield (£9) strawberry, champagne and rum cocktail was a sweet, fresh and authentically fruity, aperitif to the rich food menu, whilst the New York Flip of whisky, port, egg, cream and sugar made a bold, strong statement to begin the evening.

Though the restaurant wasn’t bursting with character, it had an ambiance of peace and comfort that can’t often be found in a top-class restaurant on a Friday night. Rows of private tables and the calming mauve, grey and beige walls created an earthly feel, leaving the diners serenely chilled. The kitchen was kept hidden, opposing the trend of open-plan kitchens that has taken over modern-day restaurants, contributing to the welcomed peace.

Sipping from our giant glasses as we waited patiently for our traditional Lancastrian meals, it was a pleasant experience to enjoy each other’s company without shouting over loud chatter or having to share your conversation with your neighbouring diners, so close they might as well be sitting with you. The Modern certainly paid attention to its atmosphere and it, for one, works stylishly well.

Let’s not dismiss the food though. Recently awarded Restaurant of the Year 2009 at Manchester’s Food and Drink Festival, The Modern is known for its classic British meals created with locally quality sourced ingredients. And that’s exactly what we got.

Ingredients combined together to bring out each flavour, texture and taste. The seasonal menu means that the choices remain fresh and the meals suitably craved for. The warm duck salad with orange and croutons (£7.50) to start, is the perfect example. The salty duck cuts through the sharp oranges and is complimented by its rich berry sauce, honing in on the fresh ingredients of the season. The wild and rabbit terrine (£5.50) offered a unique alternative as a starter, that you don’t normally find gracing British menus.

The Roasted Yorkshire Venison (£18.50) was my personal favourite. The juicy succulent meat was presented on creamy potatoes, braised red cabbage and faggot, soaked in a rich blood red juniper sauce. The venison oozed just enough flavour to melt against the sweet berry sauce and pickled cabbage.

If you’re a meatie, then the Cheshire Rib Eye Steak (£22.50) should definitely be sampled. Unlike usual steaks that can often come chewy and unsatisfying, this chunky portion melted instantly in the mouth. Served medium rare, the thick steak was as succulent and juicy as meat can come. Its beef dripping chips offered just enough salty crunch and soft creamy middle to prove their home-made beginnings. Sharpness fell effortlessly against the untouched, delicious flavours of the beef, making this far more than your normal Steak and Chips.

Entirely contented with our rich, homely meals, we shouldn’t have had room for puddings, but seeing the desert menu, we suddenly did. Before we knew it, we were dipping into Dark Chocolate and Malt Whisky Tart (£5) and Apple and Blackberry Crumble (£5). Elegantly presented, the creamy deep dark chocolate tasted pure and luxuriously rich. The Cox, Pippin and Bramley apple and blackberry crumble was a fine example of the quality, unbeatable ingredients. Sweet chunky apples offered both texture and taste, a far cry from the sugary slop you might find in other restaurants.

With tummies full and taste buds pleased, The Modern certainly got our seal of approval. Its matchless city views and chilled-out ambiance are the perfect combination for a restaurant with elegant style, and that’s before the food comes out.

A narrow corridor of tables promises couples a private, cosy evening, but if you’re planning a party, it might not be lively enough for your liking. Shimmering candles, neutral colours and wine decanters clearly proves The Modern to be the place to eat if you’re on a date.

It doesn’t scream colour and it’s not elaborately detailed but then its focus is clearly on its food. And on this subject, there is no detail left untouched. Stylish and delicious as British recipes should be, The Modern well-deserved its award, celebrating our food, our tastes and our heritage.

Watching the rain slowly drip down the window panes circled around us, you can see all that our region has to offer. Except of course, one of the best.

THEMODERNMCR.CO.UK

Words Natasha Al-Atassi

Watch Manchester’s streets come alive this October as the city celebrates its fine food and delicious drinks during this year’s much-acclaimed Food and Drink Festival.

The weather may have taken on an unexpected chill but that won’t stop AGENT2’s readers come out in full force to taste exciting cuisines from the region’s best chefs. In the week long event, the festival takes place in various venues around the city centre allowing everyone to sample some of the country’s best food, made and produced in the Northwest.

MFDF’s Executive Director, Phil Jones said: “This year’s festival aims to highlight the best of Manchester, focusing more than ever on the great dining and drinking businesses we have here in Greater Manchester… [and] show the rest of the nation how much they have to offer.”

This gastronomic extravaganza, from October 1-12, has become one of the UK’s flagship food events, enticing foodies, experts and hungry passersby from all over the country. Last year, over 250,000 people nibbled their way through the 11-day festival, and this year expects to top that with new events and the return of popular classic fêtes.

Some of this year’s line-up includes the Fine Food Market, Oktoberfest, and the Whisky and Local Wine Festivals.

The carnival kicked off with the temporary establishment of the Fine Food Village in St. Anne’s Square, last Thursday October 1. Here the best chefs and producers from around the region congregate to show their masterpieces and take part in the Fine Food Market. Visitors can also enjoy the vibrant atmosphere by popping over at lunchtime and sampling some of Manchester’s highest quality food and drink.

Throughout the week, the lively festival will keep burning with daily chef demonstrations at the Festival’s Chef Demonstration Theatre. Learn the latest techniques, pick up some unique culinary ideas and choose from the finest ingredients at the market, to recreate these succulent dishes at home.

Each weekday evening a series of dining events will take part in the city’s fanciest restaurants. The Dinner in the City Series in Association with Forever Manchester Festival sees chefs and MFDF create unique specific menus for each restaurant which will give the diner a scrumptious, if not surprising, evening.

The event that expects to see Manchester’s biggest turnout is the Albert Square’s Festival Finale Pavilion, from Friday October 9 – Sunday October 11. Thousands are anticipated to turn up at the outdoor celebration to witness a number of events take place in Manchester’s notorious square. Featuring Lancashire’s quality manufacturers and food brands, you can choose from a selection of market produce, hot snacks, restaurant samples, Germany’s legendary Oktoberfest to the extremely popular Real Ale Festival.

Oktoberfest, a traditional German festival, is an extravaganza of fabulous food, traditional beer and live brass brand entertainment. If you haven’t brought your lederhosen then why not try some delicious German sausages and wash them down with Paulaner? Clap traditional Stein ale glasses together and join in on the charismatic Bavarian song and dance.

Director of MFDF, Siobhan Hanley is looking forward to the four-day event, adding: “We think Bavarian beer will go down very well, providing a unique option for visitors to the pavilion, particularly as this will be the only Oktoberfest happening in Manchester.”

Official sponsors, Lufthansa are also offering two lucky festival-goers the chance to win flights to Germany, the homeland of an authentic Oktoberfest’s festival. Enter via the website or at the pavilion itself.

Last year, MFDF’s first Real Ale Festival blew visitors away. The unprecedented success of this bona fide British gala has led to the return of this fair. From October 9-11, around 30 local breweries and micro-breweries will take their place in the Taste Tent in Albert Square, with their best autumn beers for you to sample and sup. Guests have to buy a minimum of £5 beer tokens to enter the marquee.

Brewers will be vying for two awards for their smooth tipples: The People’s Pint, voted by you, Manchester’s ale devotees and The Manchester Ale of the Year, chosen by expert judges. Winners will be announced at the MFDF Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony on Monday October 12, the last event in this year’s MFDF calender. Fifteen awards in total will be given to the region’s best restaurants, producers and bars, chosen by both professionals and the public. Presented by the Hairy Bikers, this prestigious event will round the festival off in style with banquets and guaranteed delicious, succulent food. The public can buy tickets for £92 from www.mfdfgaladinnerandawards.eventbrite.com.

With a catalogue of appetising activities and events too long to list here, it’s really best if you check it out for yourself. Whether you’re passing by on your way back from work or you find yourself supping real ale on the weekend, MFDF is a sure way to enjoy yourself with quality food, excellent company and superb drinks.

Don’t let the October wind put you off; warm your cockles with Bavarian beer and wander through its maze of stalls, sampling some exquisite hot freshly cooked snacks. The MFDF is not only an opportunity to bask in the exceptionally high standard of our region’s food and cooking but, it’s also a fabulous way to spend the weekend.

Just remember to bring your coat.

Visit www.foodanddrinkfestival.com for more information, to vote or enter competitions, and the full schedule of events.

Words Natasha Al-Atassi

If you haven’t become part of Banana yet, then brace yourselves for penetration, because it’s about to take over Manchester.

Banana Management is the newest and hottest management label on the electronic music scene right now. Showcasing the hottest DJ’s Manchester and the North of England has to offer, Banana Management is set to explode with its diverse and innovative roster of artists. Brought together by their love of good music and passion for nightlife, Banana Management is a collective of unique minds that work like a well-oiled, sexy machine. Utilizing skills from all areas of the team including web and graphic design, entrepreneurial skills – heck – even the street team are ex-charity fundraisers.

The chemistry between the team is something they are visibly proud of. If they didn’t got on, there would be no Banana!  This is a unique band of brothers who know exactly what they want and how to get it. Banter makes the Banana go round, and there’s plenty of that. With DJ’s who have supported the likes of Justice, 2manyDjs, Zombie Nation, Riton, and even on the MixMag UK Tour next month, expect to be seeing a lot more of these folks… and not just in Manchester.

As well as the management label, its club night offspring, Banana, is currently focused on showcasing the talent in the form of all out parties and events that are swamping the Manchester Scene. Already collaborating with some of the biggest nights in England, Banana shows no signs of slowing down. With 6 parties in 8 days throughout Freshers Week, Banana is going to be dominating the electronic scene as it showcases both established and up-and-coming talent whilst also collaborating with some of the best nights in the city.

Roster from left to right - Sticky Bandits, Patchwork, Henry (Manager), Average White Guy, Joseph Goulcher

Now, with plenty of legendary parties at Saki already under their belt, Banana will be taking over several clubs and bars throughout the city in the coming weeks.  With an atmosphere like no other night around, the crowd is key to making these nights the storming success that they are. Whether its dubstep, dark techno or ridiculous electro beats that get dropped , they absolutely promise to keep you dancing all night (literally in some cases) and going home a sweaty, sexy mess.

With some absolutely huge guest DJ’s and artists lined up for the coming months, Banana is definitely about to become one of your regular 5-a-day. You can find them at bananamanagement.co.uk and all over Facebook. Keep an eye out for new events popping up over the next weeks and get yourselves down to the freshest, most innovative and down right delicious parties that we’ve seen for a very long time.

There is only one word that springs to mind on entering the Victorian stone building. Glamour. Old school glamour. Set in the Venetian Gothic old Reform Club on one of Manchester’s most affluent shopping strips, I knew this would be a time-travelling treat but what a treat it was. Let’s just say, if the food was going to be as good as our first impressions then we were in for a very special night indeed.

Room is a restaurant like no other. Opened in 2005, it is set in a 19^th Century Liberal Party Reform Club and simply oozes historical and architectural charm through its carved wood ceilings, giant marble fireplaces and unbelievably tall windows. Transcending the rich red spiral staircase is like taking a step back in history, met at the top with a seven foot bronze statue of former Prime Minister William Gladstone. I suddenly wished I had put my glad rags on to match the glamour of this special dining experience. Vaulted ornate ceilings and Timerous Beasties statement print wallpaper against deep rich coloured walls radiated the drama you would expect from this gothic structure.

So theatrical is Room’s period features and Victorian design that it is strangely and effortlessly, en vogue.

Indeed, the clear attempts at making this centurion building contemporary with retro motifs and modern fixtures makes this bistro an archetype for vintage chic. The three gigantic lipstick-red lamp shades that must measure my height in diameter hanging boldly in the dining room, the centrepiece bar with Tom Cruise-esque cocktail staff whisking up exotic drinks for up to 70 guests, and the many club lights delicately draped from the ornate ceiling all made these pieces of history come alive in this paradoxical environment, relishing in fairytale glamour.

Black square dining tables are placed beside the twenty / thirty foot long narrow windows in orderly lines whilst in the bar, leather poofs and bar stools are scattered around giving an ambiance of frivolous pleasure and relaxed, yet sophisticated, jamborees, of which we saw many.

Room is refreshingly unpretentious, despite its refined design and upmarket location, situated on Manchester’s affluent King Street, next to the pricey Agent Provocateur and opposite designer store, Vivienne Westwood. It suits its young professional clientele tastefully, without the slightest hint of snobbery and though its menu may be pricey for a regular night off, for a classy do, it demands just the right amount of cash to splash. Everyone was here to have a good time with their partner or with their friends; albeit an urbane and chic one. And urbane and chic, Room most definitely pulled off.

Still, it’s not the decoration we came to enjoy: it was the food. Hard as it is to believe with its rich, exuberant and plush decor, it is the food which is Room’s pièce de resistance. The philosophy behind Room’s cuisine is simple yet effective: reinventing traditional British dishes into sparkling new Michelin-esque pieces of creative magnificence. It isn’t an easy feat but one that Room accomplishes brilliantly. Taking old (and often, mundane) cuisines such as ‘Lancashire Hot Pot’ and transforming the haggard dishes into plates of artistic and sensory pleasure, something quite unlike the original concept.

We were warmly greeted by the very helpful and attentive staff, performing serving etiquette you only find at The Ritz; pouring wine as only wine should be poured, with style, grace and an inch of anticipation.  The wine list was meticulously crafted – well chosen tipples to match the traditional dishes flawlessly. Prices start from £25 a bottle but there’s always a choice to purchase a ‘cheeky’ wine for as much as £100, or if you’re really pushing the boat out there’s always Louis Roederer Cristal for £230.

Picking from the exciting menu wasn’t easy as dishes were accompanied by completely contrasting descriptions: ‘Paté on Toast’ became ‘Parfait, Mango, Gingerbread’ and Niçoise Salad, ‘Rare Tuna, Japanese Radish, Quail Egg’. It was quite clear from the get-go that this was no pub-grub but rather cuisines of the highest quality and culinary genius.

Their take on old meals compliments the long-standing English history of the building. With a retro touch, both the decor and the food make a marvel out of their kitsch origins, making this restaurant anything but ordinary.

Starting with ‘Carpaccio’ (Seared Lamb, Feta Cheese, Pine Nuts; £6.50) I was pleasantly surprised. Adorned on a giant white plate were three small pieces of rare lamb chunks and a feta cheese salad. Though the pieces were rather miniscule á la Michelin, they were just right as part of a three-course meal. Still, the meat was beautiful succulent, contrasting perfectly against the salty fried feta and sharp parmesan shavings. My boyfriend’s Pea Soup (Sweet shallots, Mint, Ricotta; £4.50) was deliciously sweet and delectably creamy complimented by the caramelised shallots.

My main, ‘Surf & Turf’ (£17.50) was an innovative take on the usual scampi and steak recipe. The ‘hand dived scallops and crisp pork belly’ was an exciting combination of tender, melt-in-the-mouth meat and slippery smooth scallops. This unique interpretation of Surf & Turf worked wonders as the salty sharp scallops and crackling bacon pork made a surprisingly excellent marriage of flavours. My boyfriend’s ‘8oz Sirloin Steak with Fries and Peppercorn Sauce’ was dutifully juicy and tender, the quality of Room’s aged local meat shining through.

Dining at Room is most exciting when ordering dessert and this is not an experience to skip. The puddings that ‘mum used to make’ were completely revamped, bringing them freshly into the 21^st Century. The difference between name and product was so distinct that choosing your dish is like playing Russian roulette; you never know what you’re going to get.

Choosing ‘Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwich’ (£5.50) for example, is nothing like the soggy white bread sandwich we remember eating as children. Instead, delicious moist bread and butter pudding is met with sharp raspberry sorbet that bursts with flavour. Full rich velvety cream panna cotta melts seductively in your mouth. A large peanut brittle is positioned delicately on top of the artistic arrangement of puddings adding crunchy texture to this creamy dessert, perfectly rounding off this ‘sandwich’. It exuded just the right balance between a warm winter pud and fresh summer fruits, the sharp sorbet cutting through the buttery moist dessert.

After being warned that the ‘Mango Lassi’ (Lemon and passion fruit tart; £5.50) wasn’t up to its usual standard due to a faulty oven, we were still blown away with the soft tart emboldened by the robust tangy zest of lemon.

Room’s thrilling and tantalising renovation of cuisines works successfully by confusing the palate so that it soaks in each aroma and flavour as though it had never experienced it before; reinvigorating the essence of these traditional flavours to create a virginal experience of tastes.

Every detail at Room has been carefully crafted to create vintage coolness. Though the food really serves its style delicately on a plate, it is also the overall ambiance that establishes its individuality. The extensive bar offering exclusive champagne cocktails, the mahogany rows of diners and the DJ spinning up-tempo jazz / soul tracks all befit its trendy clientele.

Room manages to combine antiquity with tasteful contemporary design, offering guests an exhilarating rush of dining innovation, amalgamating retro chic with Victorian class, etiquette and, evidently, ambition.

The overall ambiance of excellent service, exquisite food and legendary quarters made for a really special night; a good choice for a cocktail evening with work mates, or perfect for the complete wining and dining extravaganza .

That is, if you enjoy feeling spoiled as part of Manchester’s young, trendy and of course, glamorous, elite.

81 King Street, Manchester

ROOMRESTAURANTS.COM

Words Natasha Al-Atassi

“You must love me, you must love me!”  The words sung by one of Argentina’s most famous exports, Eva Peron could not have rung more true when it comes to another iconic export, the Gaucho restaurants famed for their first-rate steaks.

As we stepped into the cavernous space occupied by Manchester’s Gaucho restaurant (an old Methodist church by all accounts), our carnivorous cravings were put aside for a brief moment as we took in the splendor of our surroundings.  If AGENT2 was to take our style and taste and open a restaurant, this is pretty close to how we would expect it to look. From the inviting reception area, bar and sexy black leather padded walls which open up into a seating area with modern leather white couches and sleek low sofas, the entire restaurant epitomized great, contemporary style.

Gaucho has managed to retain the grandeur that you would expect when entering a former ‘home of god’ and its central area is accented with just enough cow skin to pay homage to its Argentinean roots without leaving you feeling like you are being overcome with an acute case of ‘Mad Cow’s Disease’. The organ creates a sense of theatre within the dining space and reminds you to watch your ‘p’s and q’s’ as you ponder the building’s former uses while the flashes of fiery red throughout the venue are enough of a nod to the hot, South American temperament.

As day wound its way into the evening and we took our seats for an early dinner, a calm hum was audible over the beats of the modern, Latin American music. The mix of diners in every corner of the 180 seated restaurant was as diverse as the different cuts of meat that were winging their way to diners’ tables to select their meaty treat beforehand.  Vegetarians beware!

Last comment aside, there are vegetarian options (and pretty good ones at that) available on the menu at Gaucho but the cornerstone of their menu are the fantastic, organic, Argentinean steaks. Gaucho Restaurants serve only Argentine Aberdeen Angus beef. These cattle are reputed to be top-class thanks to the mild climate, rich soil and vast terrain on which they graze. More recently, the addition of  ‘cerviches’, somewhat reminiscent of sushi but with a spin specific to the region has added a more diverse flavor to the menu for those who crave more than meat.

Cuts of meat come in a variety of weights from 225g to 400g – larger sizes can be ordered on request should you have a Tyrannosaurus Rex in your dining party. All steaks are cooked to your taste and the highly trained and helpful staff can recommend the optimum cooking choice for each cut of meat.

At Gaucho restaurants the steaks are all cooked in the traditional Argentine way. By only turning the steak once, there is a greater caremelisation of the crust sealing the meat and enhancing the flavour, as the juices cannot escape.   We would highly recommend he Churrasco cut, a spiral cut piece of meat marinated for 24 hours in a mixture of garlic, herbs and corn oil. Served with arguably the tastiest chips we’ve eaten and a side order of sweet peas and bacon we were left with only one option, loosen one belt notch before we tackled our dessert of pancakes and cheesecake with a topping of heavenly dulce de leche.

Gaucho’s vast wine list includes the Terruno, their own label which represents the Latin grape varieties. Many other Argentinian wines are also available, in particular the Vida Chenin, a delicate and clean cut wine. Its subtle tinges of honey make it an ideal accompianment to the tender meat. There’s also an impressive array of fine and rare wines but prices are steep with a bottle of 2000 Malbec setting you back over £110. The cocktail focus shifts to the Americas which provides Latin spirit if you’re in the mood for a party.

Gaucho successfully provides a clear indication of Argentina’s mixed heritage, with its Spanish chorizo dishes, its Italian risotto, French oysters and Latin American passion. This unique mix of culture is both exemplified and complimented in Gaucho’s design, menu and atmosphere. The variety of food and wine is unbeatable whilst still creating top class local dishes with rich exported ingredients making your culinary trip from Patagonia through to Buenos Aires a rather inexpensive affair. Its contemporary clean cut finish does not detract from its authenticity and it succeeds in remaining genuine to Argentina with its excellent food and quality ingredients.

Gaucho is a reputable showcase of fine Argentinian produce but more importantly, with its Latin American spirit it is most definitely a memorable night out.

gauchorestaurants.co.uk

Words Graham Gartside-Bernier