Manchester Food Trail 2023, Days 3 & 4

Manchester Food Trail 2023, Days 3 & 4

These were the places we visited and ate at, as regular paying customers, on the Manchester Food Trail 2023 in Manchester, England.

• Day 3
• Costa Coffee
• Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant
• Sam's Chop House
• Sangam Restaurant


• Day 4
• Marks & Spencer Café
• Wright's Fish & Chips
• The Bridgewater Exchange

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Day 3
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Costa Coffee
@ Unit 2, 1 Portland Street, Manchester M60 1HR, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Fri 6:30am – 6pm, Sat 8am – 7pm, Sun 9am – 6pm
https://www.costa.co.uk/


Founded in 1971, Costa Coffee is the largest British coffeehouse chain in the country, and the second largest in the world. Retailing sandwiches, pastries, confectioneries, and beverages, Costa Coffee is a popular place for morning takeaway.

Ambience at Costa Coffee is warm and relaxing. The plush lounge seats and high perch tables offer a variety of seating within the warmly lit place. Attractive displays draw the eye. Service at Costa Coffee is quick and polite, with staff working fast to fulfil orders. However, cleaning up is done leisurely, so most customers clean up after themselves. Food at Costa Coffee is modern British cuisine, focused on light bites, snacks, desserts, and hot and cold drinks. Quality is baseline standard, you're assured of consistency across all their outlets. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about GBP £7 per person.

Costa Coffee Facade

A tall Hot Chocolate (GBP £3.55) warms the body and soul on a chilly winter day. Here, their rendition is rich and thick, with velvety smooth texture and chocolatey bitter sweet milky flavour. Whipped cream is an additional charge. Good!

Hot Chocolate (GBP £3.55)

Hot Chocolate

Their Millionaire's Shortbread (GBP £2.80) is firm crunchy in texture, requiring some effort to bite into. With chocolatey floral sweet grainy buttery flavour, this dessert confectionery offers a good boost of energy. Worth ordering!

Millionaire's Shortbread (GBP £2.80)

Millionaire's Shortbread

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Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant
@ 3 Hardman Square, Manchester M3 3EB, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Wed 8am – 10pm, Thu - Sat 8am – 11pm, Sun 9am – 10pm
https://bills-website.co.uk//


Named after founder William 'Bill' Collison since June 2001, Bill's is a casual dining restaurant chain with over 40 outlets across England, 2 in Manchester alone. Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant is one of these, known for its fresh seasonal produce and comfortable ambience. Located in an upmarket area of town, Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant offers a memorable dining experience.

Ambience at Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant is opulent and comfortable. The place is packed with greenery and curious knick-knacks. Warm lights from large chandeliers illuminate the plush booth seats and marble tables, a luxurious atmosphere. I like that they have power outlets to charge devices. Service at Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant is attentive and polite, with staff carrying out requests quickly, and cleaning up efficiently when diners leave. They demonstrate good product knowledge on the menu, and accommodate a good range of dietary requirements. Food at Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant is Modern British English cuisine, featuring fresh seasonal ingredients. Dishes are well-executed, tasty and appealing. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are reflective of a cafe, budget around GBP £14 per person.

Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant Signage

Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant Exterior

Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant Interior

Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant Menu Food

Bill's Spinningfields Restaurant Menu Drinks

The Orange Juice (GBP £3.75) is freshly pressed, thin and refreshing with fruity zesty tangy sweet sour flavour. Has some orange pulp within. Good!

Orange Juice (GBP £3.75)

Orange Juice

The Eggs Benedict (GBP £9.95) was beautiful. Perfectly poached eggs, wobbly soft, sit on tender Wiltshire pork ham and crisp toasted English muffins, coated with creamy hollandaise sauce and paprika. Cut in and the golden yolk oozes out, coating everything with luscious goodness. Has bready toasty smoky meaty salty savoury eggy sweet spice flavour. Highly recommended!

Eggs Benedict (GBP £9.95)

Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict

Eggs Benedict

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Sam's Chop House
@ Back Pool Fold / Chapel Walks, Manchester M2 1HN, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Thu 12pm – 11pm, Fri - Sat 12pm – 12am, Sun 12pm – 10pm
https://www.samschophouse.com/


The renowned Sam's Chop House was established by Samuel Studd in 1868, just a year after his brother and sister-in-law Thomas and Sarah Studd had set up their own chop house (Mr Thomas's Chop House) nearby. Sam's Chop House remains family-run to this day, now operated by the owner of The Victorian Chop House Company, Roger Ward. The concept of Sam's Chop House is a sit-down restaurant, serving to facilitate business deals, or get-togethers with family and friends.

Ambience at Sam's Chop House has a dingy filmic feel, the cramped bar with bronze statue of artist Laurence Stephen Lowry opens into a warmly lit, spacious restaurant. Sturdy wooden furniture lined in neat rows, each neatly laid with cutlery. Service at Sam's Chop House is friendly and welcoming, with staff greeting guests and checking in regularly with diners. They demonstrate good product knowledge, no mean feat with the extensive drinks list. Staff fulfil orders quickly, and clean up efficiently when diners leave. Food at Sam's Chop House is gourmet British English cuisine, in restaurant style. Delicious dishes made by top chefs who care about taste, quality ingredients, and careful preparation; the menus vary seasonally and include imaginative modern touches. Portions are large for individuals. Prices are reflective of a typical restaurant, budget about GBP £45 per person.

Sam's Chop House Signage

Sam's Chop House Exterior

Sam's Chop House Interior

Seating

Bar

Sam's Chop House Menu

Sam's Chop House Menu

Glass Of Water

The Beer Chop House Lager (GBP £4.80) is a craft beer made specially for the chop house. Refreshing and smooth, this pairs well with most dishes.

Beer Chop House Lager (GBP £4.80)

Beer Chop House Lager

Loved their Scotch Egg (GBP £6.50) rendition. The exterior is coated with crisp breadcrumbs, wrapped with tender sausage meat, while the soft boiled egg within is bouncy soft. Has bready meaty savoury salty eggy sweet flavour. Served over a fresh salad of crisp rocket leaves / arugula, crunchy cucumber, juicy sun-dried cherry tomato, and crisp red onions, combining for vegetal earthy bitter herbal sweet flavour. Good!

Scotch Egg (GBP £6.50)

Scotch Egg

Scotch Egg

The 10-Ounce Grilled Sirloin With Chips (GBP £27) features a large succulent cut of beef sirloin steak, tender chewy juicy as a result of the marbling running through it and around it. Grilled till perfectly medium-rare, with robust smoky meaty savoury flavour. Accompanied with thick-cut English potato chips, these are crisp outside fluffy inside, carrying good starchy salty savoury flavour. I chose a gravy boat of peppercorn, thick with savoury salty peppery spice flavour, really punchy. Highly recommended!

10-Ounce Grilled Sirloin With Chips (GBP £27)

10-Ounce Grilled Sirloin With Chips

English Potato Chips

Peppercorn Gravy

Beef Sirloin Steak

10-Ounce Grilled Sirloin With Chips

Novel experience with the Black Treacle Sponge Pudding (GBP £7.50). The thick sticky black treacle carries smoky salty bitter sweet flavour, contrasting the sponge pudding with its spongy soft moist texture and grainy floral earthy sweet flavour. The creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream and its floral earthy sweet milky flavour served to alleviate the depth of taste in this dessert. Good!

Black Treacle Sponge Pudding (GBP £7.50)

Black Treacle Sponge Pudding

Black Treacle Sponge Pudding

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Sangam Restaurant
@ 98 Portland Street, Manchester M1 4GX, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 12pm – 11pm, Sun 1pm – 10pm
https://www.sangam.co.uk/restaurants/sangam-manchester-city-centre/


Established by Mohammed Salim in 1991 and named after a 1964 Bollywood romance movie, the Sangam Restaurant has grown from a popular curry house to several outlets across the city. Here at Sangam Restaurant, tradition meets contemporary, with the freshest ingredients and recipes handed down through the generations.

Ambience at Sangam Restaurant evokes wild nature. Most evident in the wall-to-ceiling mural of a tiger, while other walls feature exotic animals and faux greenery. Warm lights cast a yellow hue over the modern cushioned seats and marble tables. Service at Sangam Restaurant is attentive and discreet, with staff according each table personalised attention. They take and fulfil orders relatively fast, and offer to clear finished plates throughout the meal. Experience varies, with some of the junior staff in training. Food at Sangam Restaurant is exquisite Indian cuisine, rich in flavours from spices. The menu is extensive, catering to most dietary preferences. Portions are large, designed for sharing. Prices are relatively affordable, budget about GBP £28 per person.

Sangam Restaurant Signage

Sangam Restaurant Exterior

Sangam Restaurant Interior

Seating

Seating

Eye Of The Tiger

Sangam Restaurant Menu

Sangam Restaurant Menu

Sangam Restaurant Menu

The Serenello Prosecco Extra Dry (GBP £9.20) has a lively perlage, with an elegant freshness that's soft on the palate.

Serenello Prosecco Extra Dry (GBP £9.20)

The Papadum (GBP £2.10) here is wonderfully light and crispy, shattering nicely. Carries grainy earthy savoury spice flavour, quite addictive. Good!

Papadum (GBP £2.10)

Papadum

The version of Raita (GBP £Complimentary) served is akin to a cucumber raita, cooling and creamy with rich vegetal milky sour sweet herbal flavour. A nice palate cleanser to pair with curries. Good!

Raita (GBP £Complimentary)

Raita

The signature Chicken Tikka Masala (GBP £14.90) has chunky tender pieces of boneless marinated and roasted chicken thigh, in a creamy thick curry gravy of fresh tomato and spices. This has lovely smoky meaty savoury salty vegetal sweet spice flavour, yum. Great with bread or rice. Highly recommended!

Chicken Tikka Masala (GBP £14.90)

Chicken Tikka Masala

Chicken Tikka Masala

Loved the Biryani Samundri (GBP £19.90), with its fragrant aroma and fluffy spiced basmati rice, together with a generous portion of springy deshelled king prawns. Garnished with strips of ginger, this carries grainy earthy sweet savoury spice flavour. Highly recommended!

Biryani Samundri (GBP £19.90)

Biryani Samundri

Biryani Samundri

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Day 4
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Marks & Spencer Café
@ 7 Market Street, Manchester M1 1WT, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 8am – 6pm, Sun 11am – 5pm
https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/food-to-order/not-just-any-food/mands-brands/cafe


Founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer, this international British retailer operates over 300 Marks & Spencer Café outlets, selling "British Quality" dishes, pastries, confectioneries, and beverages. Suitable for both quick casual dining as well as lingering sit-down meals, Marks & Spencer Café allows shoppers to take a break and grab a convenient bite.

Ambience at Marks & Spencer Café is modern and functional. The brightly lit spacious area is neatly lined with simple furniture, with some seats offering power outlets for device charging. Service at Marks & Spencer Café is largely self-service, with ordering, payment, and collection over the counter. Diners also clean up after themselves. Staff accord each customer good attention and patiently answer queries, but this causes a longer wait for those in queue. Food at Marks & Spencer Café is focused on simple and easy British English meals, including light bites and popular favourites. Ingredients are fresh, dishes are healthy and tasty. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about GBP £10 per person.

Marks & Spencer Café Facade

Seating

Marks & Spencer Café Menu

Marks & Spencer Café Menu

The refreshing Sparkling Water (GBP £1.75) works as a great palate cleanser. I also like that the taste is neutral.

Sparkling Water (GBP £1.75)

A warm Tea Earl Grey (GBP £2.50) makes for a great calming beverage on cold rainy days... which are common here in Manchester, England. Love the elegant notes this carries. Good!

Tea Earl Grey (GBP £2.50)

Tea Earl Grey

The giant Fruit Scone (GBP £2.50) is warm and tasty, with the juicy chewy sultana raisins lending a burst of fruity sweet flavour to the buttery bready flavour of the scone. With its firm crumbly texture, this was delightful. Good!

Fruit Scone (GBP £2.50)

Fruit Scone

Fruit Scone

The Assorted Sandwich Selection (GBP £5) features 4 quarter sandwiches, each with a different filling. This allows for those who wish to try a range of sandwiches, or those who prefer variety.

Assorted Sandwich Selection (GBP £5)

Assorted Sandwich Selection

Assorted Sandwich Selection (GBP £5)

Assorted Sandwich Selection

The Sandwich Egg Mayonnaise & Cress has a nice lovely freshness, and is less creamy, so it feels slightly more healthy. Good!

Sandwich Egg Mayonnaise & Cress

Sandwich Egg Mayonnaise & Cress

The Sandwich Ham & Cheese has a dollop of mustard mayonnaise within, which lends a refreshing zingy sharp contrast of taste. Good!

Sandwich Ham & Cheese

Sandwich Ham & Cheese

The Sandwich Salt & Pepper Chicken has a chunky tender chew with clean slices of healthy chicken breast. Good!

Sandwich Salt & Pepper Chicken

Sandwich Salt & Pepper Chicken

The Sandwich Ploughman's Lunch is inspired by the mid-day meal of the common people and labourers. A quick and simple cold meal that was inexpensive and easy to prepare as no cooking is required, yet full of fibre, protein, vitamins and energy. Good!

Sandwich Ploughman's Lunch

Sandwich Ploughman's Lunch

The Sandwich Tuna Mayonnaise & Corn is a beautiful combination, with the ingredients combining for a rich balance of flavour. Good!

Sandwich Tuna Mayonnaise & Corn

Sandwich Tuna Mayonnaise & Corn

The Sandwich Poached Salmon & Spinach carries an appetizing freshness in its ingredients, with a mellow taste that feels healthy. Good!

Sandwich Poached Salmon & Spinach

Sandwich Poached Salmon & Spinach

The Sandwich Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese feels apt for pairing with a beer, the bold and robust taste here would certainly make the drink more refreshing. Worth ordering!

Sandwich Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese

Sandwich Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese

Loved the brightness of the Sandwich Prawn Mayonnaise, so refreshing and cool. The taste of fresh shrimp is yummy. Good!

Sandwich Prawn Mayonnaise

Sandwich Prawn Mayonnaise

I enjoyed the Lemon Drizzle Cake (GBP £3.25), which was rich with buttery zesty sour tangy sweet flavour. Slightly dense yet soft to cut, this dessert cake is nicely appealing. Highly recommended!

Lemon Drizzle Cake (GBP £3.25)

Lemon Drizzle Cake

Lemon Drizzle Cake

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Wright's Fish & Chips
@ 86 Cross Street, Greater, Manchester M2 4LA, England
Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 11am – 7pm, Closed Sun
https://www.instagram.com/wrightsfishandchips/?hl=en


Established by wife-husband duo Trisha and Marcus Wright in February 2014, Wright's Fish & Chips is a popular takeaway joint that is mostly crowded throughout the day. During my visit, I overhead compliments from customers such as "Best fish and chips I've had in Manchester" and "This place does really good food". Having dined at Wright's Fish & Chips, I'm glad I did.

Ambience at Wright's Fish & Chips is bare. As a mostly takeaway joint, the warmly-lit space is dominated by a large open kitchen with ample floor space for queues. Around the white-tiled walls are some simple wooden seats for perching and quick meals, not meant for sit-down lingering. Service at Wright's Fish & Chips is quick but brusque. With long lines of customers to serve, staff tend to take and fulfil orders fast. If you chose to dine in, you'll have to clean up after yourself, in consideration for others. Food at Wright's Fish & Chips is focused on Fish And Chips, along with traditional sides like mushy peas or baked beans. They offer a choice of fish, and most people get it packed for takeaway. Quality is consistently good. Portions are medium large for individuals. Prices are affordable, budget about GBP £9 per person.

Wright's Fish & Chips Signage

Wright's Fish & Chips Exterior

Wright's Fish & Chips Interior

Wright's Fish & Chips Menu

Wright's Fish & Chips Menu

Loved the Fish And Chips With Mushy Peas (GBP £8.20). I chose the haddock fish, which has a lovely light golden batter with tender flaky fish meat within. The chips were nice and thick and fluffy, while the mushy marrowfat peas were creamy and bright. Added some salt and malt vinegar for enhanced flavour. Highly recommended!

Fish And Chips With Mushy Peas (GBP £8.20)

Fish And Chips With Mushy Peas

Mushy Peas

Fish And Chips

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The Bridgewater Exchange
@ Manchester Airport Terminal 2, Manchester M90 1QX, England
Opening Hours: Daily 24 Hours
https://www.joseph-holt.com/pubs/bridgewater-exchange-manchester-airport


Opened airside within Manchester Airport Terminal 2 in July 2021 and thus only accessible for travellers, The Bridgewater Exchange is a microbrewery and kitchen operated in partnership between The Restaurant Group (TRG) Concessions and the Joseph Holt brewery. Offering an all-day menu, The Bridgewater Exchange has its on-site brewery built behind bomb-proof glass, secure yet offering a view of its steel brewing barrels for patrons.

Ambience at The Bridgewater Exchange is rustic with a modern touch. Warm lights cast a dim illumination over the parquet flooring and sturdy wooden furniture. Cushioned green booth seats are neatly spread within the spacious area, while a barrel wall showcases their range of craft beers. Service at The Bridgewater Exchange is polite but transactional, with diners either self-ordering online via the digital platform, or over the bar counter. Staff have little opportunity to demonstrate product knowledge, and cleaning up is done leisurely, only when the next set of guests arrive. Food at The Bridgewater Exchange is modern British English cuisine, with familiar flavours presented in appealing fashion. The wide range of craft beers is a highlight. Portions are large and hearty; you'll certainly be satisfied, and most dishes are best shared. Prices are reasonable, budget about GBP £13 per person.

The Bridgewater Exchange Exterior

The Bridgewater Exchange Interior

Seating

The Beer Joseph Holt Bitter (GBP £5.80) is iconic for being the foundational brew of their brand, with a bracing malty bitterness that's refreshing.

Beer Joseph Holt Bitter (GBP £5.80)

Beer Joseph Holt Bitter

The lovely Bread & Butter Pudding (GBP £7) here was a strong finish for our visit. The chunks of soft bread pudding laced with rich caramel, topped with vanilla ice cream, so yum. Highly recommended!

Bread & Butter Pudding (GBP £7)

Bread & Butter Pudding

Bread & Butter Pudding

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