Reviews James Martin Manchester

Have dined here several times and never been unhappy with the food or service

Tonight we came with two friends as a thank you for showing us the real Italy last month. It was their first time here.

We all had the taster menu with matching wines and the extra cheese course with port. We couldn't fault any of it. It was amazing. All courses and wines.

My friend's husband is Italian and knows his Italian wines. He was amazed at the choice and pairing of the wine from Sicily. He said it was perfect.

We were all so happy that we are coming back on Wednesday with two more friends for the Al a carte!

All the waiting staff were amazing , as usual but I will be sorry to see Lauren go. She is lovely. So professional and knowledgable.

Well done to every one associated with this wonderful place.

We all want to come back when James is there and my Italian friends want him to come over to the real Italy to sample real Italian food. How about an Italian Adventure?!! X

Being based within the 235 casino accessing the restaurant is always going to be a chore having to submit ID; at least it keeps the kids out and there is free parking for casino members.  Situated on a mezzanine floor at the far end of the upper floor the first thing you notice are the stairs leading to the restaurant and the bright James Martin signs.   Ascending up the stairs a grand piano and the glass fronted meat cold room come into view with all of the different cuts of meat available from the meat market menu hanging in all its glory. It’s a shame that the casino itself appears so lifeless and characterless with mismatched carpets and a dark moody atmosphere.  The dining room appeared silent as we were led to our table with six or seven other tables occupied.  Thank heavens the atmosphere picked up through the meal as the tables were quite close together. I used to religiously watch Saturday Morning Kitchen and have always been a fan of James Martin, but had my doubts whether th

We had a lovely evening at James Martin Manchester235, the food was good, although as I've mentioned after some amazing meals this year, it takes quite a lot to blow us away these days. On the whole, it's a decent solid performance rather than a 'wow' meal for us (apart from the risotto).
James Martin Manchester235 though I think is better for it, unlike some recent openings, it's not searching for stars and failing, it's after that middle market, and for me it's pitched absolutely perfectly. The food is honest, decent, modern British food, dependable and good quality for what it is. Nothing to scare the horses as it were. You could take your parents there - if they were paying that is.
Consequently, I think this restaurant will prove to be a huge success in Manchester.
So, I managed to go through the whole review without making a gambling pun. What were the odds on that?

Tucked away in the corner inside Manchester 235 casino, it can be easily missed if you're not a casino goer. However I did indeed have a negative perception of the place as it was in fact located in a casino and maybe not the right combination for a celebrity restaurant. The interior, not what I expected, I thought it was a bit out dated but the food was telling me a different story...

A sack of bread and butter (free!) - a lovely touch to start the evening and presented so uniquely. The bread was fresh and warm and we even had a combination of brown and white.

Starter
* Thai crab risotto (£7.95) - with a hint of lemon grass and kaffir lime kicking through, it was indeed my favourite dish of the night. It was cooked perfectly and had a tasty creamy texture which made you keep wanting for more but there was definitely no chilli kick. Not a great deal of crab but it was visibly shredded throughout the portion.
* Seared west coast hand dived scallops (£8.95) - accompanied with black pudding and a tamarind, palm sugar and ginger chutney. Just wow! The scallops were big in size and every bite was full of the tamarind flavour but maybe a fewer black pudding portions next time.

Main course
* T-bone steak (14oz) (£30) and Rib eye steak (10z) (£26) - both served with chunky chips, onion rings and flavoured butter. They were both cooked to our liking (medium) but I thought the rib eye was a bit dry but the sun blushed tomato made up for it. The chips were just your standard chunky chips which are my fav but the onion rings just didn't add much to the plate and the fact they look shop bought is not impressive!

Dessert
* Hot sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and condensed milk ice cream (£7) - well well could this be the best sticky toffee pudding I've ever had? Possibly yes! It was certainly hot, sticky and bubbling with toffee goodness. The ice cream didn't melt too quick surprisingly and it went well with the toffee.
* White chocolate and whisky croissant butter pudding with malt ice cream (£7) - the star dessert of the restaurant, I have certainly heard a lot about this and it did live up to my expectations. It's not your ordinary bread and butter pudding, it's your posh bread and butter pudding. The croissant was crisp, layers were visible and the whisky just finished it off.

Overall the desserts were the highlight of the evening followed by the risotto and the restaurant experience was casual so don't be hesitant to visit because of the location. I might sound a little picky but the steaks could of been presented on better plates or boards to pretty it up a little as the white plates made it look cheap. (Just my opinion)

For the full review and photos please visit our blog http://prettyandtasty-ly.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/james-martin-manchester.html

Upon my arrival at the establishment, we was promptly greeted with an exceptional display of warmth and hospitality. The welcome extended to us was truly impeccable. The service provided during our visit was truly exceptional. Our dedicated waiter for the evening, Fabio, demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring that our dining experience surpassed all expectations. In addition to Fabio, the attentive and knowledgeable staff members, including Pavel, Vicki, Josh, Gracie, and Hansika, exhibited an impressive level of professionalism throughout our meal. Their expertise was evident as they expertly guided us through the extensive menu, offering insightful recommendations that flawlessly complemented our individual culinary preferences. Now, let us delve into the culinary delights that awaited me. The menu boasted a diverse selection of dishes, each crafted with the utmost care and precision. The presentation of the food was a feast for the eyes, with vibrant colors and artistic plating techniques that showcased the chef's mastery. As for the taste, I can confidently say that it surpassed all expectations. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, expertly balanced and thoughtfully composed. The ingredients used were of the highest quality, resulting in dishes that were both indulgent and refined. In conclusion, my experience at the restaurant was nothing short of extraordinary. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an adventure that transcends the ordinary. The attention to detail, impeccable service, and exceptional cuisine make it a true gem in the culinary landscape.

Very good restaurant with nice à la carte and meat options. The meat was great, but a bit pricey. The main highlight for me was the service, warm and attentive, proper Northern hospitality.

It took us a while to find the place as its actually in the casino. Which is a bit of a mood killer. But, the staff are friendly and really helpful. And the food is huge portions, as you'd expect from James Martin, but also really good quality. It's pretty pricey, but given the quality fair.

To get to the restaurant you walk through a casino and then up a few steps. Loved the decor and atmosphere. I have always been a fan of James Martin and looked forward to visiting. Food was absolutely amazing, so many lovely options made it hard to decide. Really struggled to hear our waitress who spoke very quietly whilst looking downwards. We chose some wine from the list, she brought the wrong one and struggled to get it even after writing it down. She reached over the table rather than stand by the guest to put plates down. However, no fault with our food. A different waitress delivered our desserts who smiled & was friendly. I don't like 'complaining' about a staff member and I do think that perhaps she was new and hadn't built her confidence yet. With a little help & support I'm sure she will shine.

Loved the food. More expensive than your average restaurant (obviously!) but not extortionate. Average cost for 3 courses plus wine was £70 for 3 people. Great menu with mouth watering options - difficult to choose. Our only let down was service from waitress. Perhaps a new member of staff or trainee? Almost everything she said had to be repeated because she mumbled. She didn't really understand the menu. When ordering the Rioja, she responded "Oh, red" and brought back a bottle of Sangiovese. Her training needs improving. But otherwise a very enjoyable evening. Must go again to try other menu options!!