The French - Manchester

This was our first visit for a few years, and it was a very enjoyable experience overall. Wonderful combinations of flavours, textures, and temperatures, served by knowledgeable young staff who responded with friendly enthusiasm when questioned about the food and drinks. Just one course out of twelve that we felt wasn't up to standard (and one paired wine) but that's not bad going. However, as a couple in our seventies, we REALLY struggled with the setting. The bafflingly low lighting level combined with the tiny font size for the menu meant we had to use our phone torches to read the menu; and the loud music combined with the quiet and rapid speech of the staff meant we missed much of the information they were sharing with us.

Beautiful experience at The French from start to finish. The menu is perfect, just the right amount of food and matched drinks. The food is cosy northern style and some drinks sourced locally also. The team are very professional but can have a laugh too, a truly great experience and would highly recommend!!!

We visited the French on a Saturday evening as a group of three. It’s our fifth visit over the course of about 15 years and it feels like Adam Reid’s team has got into a comfortable groove during his tenure as head chef. The decor has been updated in the last couple of years, with moody blues and greys dominating. It feels very opulent, and the Manchester indie playlist that follows the meal could feel jarring, but I think this is what Adam does well marrying a fine dining experience with “rougher” northern tradition. We opted for a standard wine pairing rather than the quirkier “tipsy” pairing which includes beer and sake. The food was excellent overall, and at times memorable. The bread served with whipped beef butter and a pot of fabulous onion broth are a great start. The snacks are tasty and well presented. The cold cuts have been refined over time and are now an engaging at table service and although simple this is a highlight of the experience. For the mains, the monkfish curry lacked a little punch but the fish was cooked beautifully. The venison however was exceptional, paired with cherry and beetroot. Overall, the menu flows well. There are many hints of the local origins and recipes that inspire the dishes’ names on the menu. This (and Adam’s passion for ultra local produce) is explained at the beginning, but not really mentioned again during the service. The wine pairings are good choices with just enough adventure. We did not have the sommelier on our service, and his deputy’s descriptions of the wine were comparatively brief, but he was pleasant and helpful. The service is personal and authentic. Dishes are served by the chefs. Far from making this experience disjointed, I think this is a lovely touch and one that is increasingly common, and it gives the chefs the opportunity to show off about what they’ve created. My only criticism really is the timings. There were erratic and sometimes long gaps between dishes, which made an experience that could have fit into a little over three hours take more like four. If Adam Reid is still seeking recognition by a star from Michelin there’ll be inevitable comparisons to Mana, where Simon Martin runs an exceptionally polished service that easily justifies a single star and, based on my experience, borders on warranting two for dishes that truly stick in the memory. I have eaten at 1 star restaurants in England (in particular London) that don’t do things as well as the French. The dinner we had was as good as others and better than some. I’m not sure what more the French needs to do to win that accolade that’s been out of their grasp for so long.

Wow just wow! From the moment we walked into the most beautiful restaurant my breath was taken away. We chose the taster menu with paired wine. Every course told a story , wine pairings excellent as were all staff, big thank you, not cheap, but wow what a treat

Rarely am I lost for words, but on this occasion I really was! Dined with my husband and can honestly say, without doubt, the best experience in fine dining we have had. The food was exquisite, elegantly presented and explained by the chefs who presented each individual delight. The sommelier was simply captivating with her description of paired drinks and rationale behind each concept. And it truly worked just ingenious. Staff were attentive, welcoming, humerous, utter professionals and polite without being intrusive. The ambience and decor was striking and thoughtful yet unimposing and the whole 'event ' was like a well oiled stage show. Not a particularly inexpensive evening but would we pay it again? Absolutely yes!!!