Located in the lower level dining room of ABode in Manchester, with Michelin starred chef Michael Caines at the helm, ABode has long been a Manchester restaurant landmark. We stopped by to check out the tasting menu at the fine dining restaurant.
Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly in the hotel reception and showed to the hostess who offered us a drink in the bar while we waited for our table. ABode boasts the choice of two bars within the venue, the Lounge bar upstairs or the Champagne bar downstairs, next to the restaurant. We opted for an aperitif in the Lounge bar, where we were talked through the extensive cocktail list & craft beer selection. We opted for a Caramelised Pear Sling from the signature cocktail list, Bacardi Oakheart, mixed with apple, pear, cinnamon, caramel & ginger ale (£8).
After we finished our cocktails, we made our way downstairs to the lower level dining room which was already busy, early on a Thursday evening thanks to the variety of offers served by the bar. To get a real feel for the offering, we opted for the six course tasting menu (65), and we were promptly served the freshly baked onion seed sour dough, still warm from the oven and served with a hefty chunk of butter and rock salt.
The first course on the menu was a salad of spring vegetables, served elegantly and included delicate slices of radish, carrot and asparagus, with onion and garlic drizzled with horseradish.
As lovers of meat over seafood, we were a intrigued as to how much we’d enjoy the following two courses of crab followed by Pollock, but we were easily won over. The crab mousse was served with crisp asparagus rye bread, fresh shaved asparagus and radish, with cayenne pepper to give it a welcome kick. The Pollock was light, and just done, served in a cockle broth, with pearl barley wrapped in cabbage, and a tangy side of blood orange.
Next up was the meat dish, a juicy chicken breast served with wild mushrooms, truffle, pomme puree, and asparagus, served with a side of crispy chicken skin. The chicken was beautiful and tender, with the truffle & wild mushrooms adding a luxurious edge.
The first of the two sweet courses was the one we’d been most intrigued about – parsnip served with amaretto. The dish came, a sweet parsnip ice cream, served with date and pecan cake, served with amaretto jelly, crème chiboust and a parsnip crisp – a firm favourite!
Finally, we ended with white chocolate & celery. Another interesting combination, but one which worked extremely well. The sharp celery cut through the sweet white chocolate ice cream, which was served with crunchy honeycomb shards, and a rhubarb drizzle.
We were offered a seventh course of British cheese & chutneys, but at the risk of needing to be rolled home we gratefully declined. Overall, the tasting menu was hugely enjoyable and gave us the opportunity to sample dishes we’d perhaps not otherwise choose, we’ll definitely be back to sample the A La Carte menu (and another portion of parsnip ice cream!) very soon.
Tasting menu (six courses) £65pp or £100 for matched wines, also vegetarian options available. Cheese course optional at £10pp.
ABode Manchester, 107 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2DB
0161 247 7744
www.abodemanchester.co.uk/dining/restaurant
