Date of Visit: Sunday 13th November
Cost of Sunday Lunch: 3 courses for £14.95
Roast O Meter: 85%
"Delicious offerings, brilliant service and a tasteful experience at Manchester's Best Hotel 2011"
Expectations were high for the Mint Hotel after recently winning the fiercely competitive Manchester Hotel of Year Award. What better way to start off the 2011 Roast Review Season with visiting a local favourite. Invited by Jack Appleton, (who recently won Employee of the Year Award for Manchester Hoteliers Association) to experience this award winning establishment we felt compelled to start off the 2011 Roast Review Season with a promising contender of Roast of the Year.
Upon entering we were greeted by a smiling receptionist and were politely pointed in the direction of City Cafe. First impressions of the hotel presented an appropriate summary of the entire experience, fresh, sophisticated and beautifully stylish.
Arriving in to the restaurant, my trusty companion and I were greeted by Ricardo, who would prove to be the Star of the Show. A minute or two later and we are seated overlooking a little hotspot of activity in Picadilly. A great opportunity for some lazy Sunday people watching. Would we be enjoying a Sunday Lunch today? The answer was a big YES after seeing the Yorkshire puds on the table next to us.
The atmosphere of City Café was welcoming, a stylish, trendy modern take on the classic Hotel restaurant layout. I could quite easily see myself relaxing here with friends after a morning shopping in town, spilling down from my hotel room after a heavy night out or treating someone special to a fancy lunch out. A great achievement for a hotel restaurant.
Warm crusty bread was served as we chose a fruity Spanish Rose to enjoy on this crisp Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately our choice of wine had sold out. Not a problem we were told. Another wine would be served, a little more expensive but at no extra cost. Phew! A simple problem so simply resolved and without fuss.
The choice of starters ensured that there everyone would walk away happy. We both decided (going against the number 1 golden rule of reviewing, I know) on the Smoked Salmon and Eggs Benedict after hearing a friend describe it as the best he has ever tasted! The opening act did not disappoint. The egg was perfectly poached, the salmon, deliciously fresh and the accompanying, notoriously difficult Hollandaise sauce was delivered in a somewhat scientific manner of success; achieving that distinctive lemony flavour and achieving the near impossible… it was warm.
Now, down to business! The Roast dinner options were good with the regular meats popping up. What to choose this week? Let’s go for the Beef. The Mint prides itself on using local produce so fingers crossed – our local Northern cows wouldn’t disappoint. Ricardo suggested the beef served pink. Phew! He knows his stuff. The beef was succulent, well-cut and cooked to perfection. This is looking pretty good!
Roast potatoes were served in a separate dish which was a nice, perhaps unrequired touch! (Apologies to the pot washer). We quickly snatched up our two potatoes each … oh dear … I always feel three is a good number to start with. Before I could even consider finding my first fault, Ricardo had offered to bring more. Good Man! Perhaps he has studied The Roast Reviewers’ funny ways.
Hello Horseradish! Perhaps the leading lady in this show. Homemade we were promised and hands-down the best I have ever had. Resembling more a mousse than a sauce, this little beauty tingled the taste buds and gave our cow a good kick up the arse.
Roast Potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings were well cooked, tasty, maybe a little room for improvement on the Yorkshire Pud, it didn’t have that WOW appeal that takes years for any Grandmother to perfect. You know the ones! Vegetables were spot on. A great selection of seasonal favourites and a special mention for the carrots.
The main performance left us full (with a little room of course for dessert). The portion sizes were perfect, a hearty Sunday Lunch. For a greedy Roast Reviewer, there would be no complaints of interval walk outs today.
Back to the show …
A trio of desserts were served, Peanut Butter Cheesecake, Panna cotta with an Orange Coulis and a Chocolate Delice. My trusty companion described the desserts as, and I quote “the closest thing to an orgasm I am likely to experience this year.” Chef … you do good things to bad women! A big thumbs up to end a tasty three course meal.
A port was offered (nice touch) however coffee was chosen. Dress shopping would follow our Sunday Lunch and we did not want anyone getting home with a £500 credit card sting thank you very much Ricardo. As a whole, the service was outstanding. Ricardo was attentive, charming and somehow achieved that impossible balance of always being there but not feeling as if he were at the table. Silver Service – but toned down for a friendly and welcoming Sunday Lunch.
As for the food – beautifully presented, healthy yet hearty portions and simple yet perfectly executed flavours to excite any Roast lover.
Overall – for our first 2011 Roast Review, we were treated to a spectacular performance. It’s going to be tough one to follow but you know what, the bar has been set which is no bad thing.
Starter ★★★★★★★★★ (9)
Meat ★★★★★★★★ (8)
Potatoes ★★★★★★★★ (8)
Veg ★★★★★★★★ (8)
Yorkshire ★★★★★★ (6)
Gravy ★★★★★★★ (7)
Dessert ★★★★★★★★ (8)
Serving Size ★★★★★★★★ (9)
Menu Variety ★★★★★★★★★ (9)
Menu Variety ★★★★★★★★★ (9)
Environment ★★★★★★★★ (8)
Service ★★★★★★★★★★ (10)
Atmosphere ★★★★★★★★ (8)
Value for Money ★★★★★★★★ (9)
Value for Money ★★★★★★★★ (9)
Overall Score: A whopping 85%
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