I’m fortunate enough to have traveled far and wide to sample great restaurants around the world, from a true taste of Italian cuisine in some of Rome and Venice’s finest, to American Gastro at its best in San Fransisco, this week after a simple 15 minute tram journey I went to Prestwich and had one of, if not the, best British Festive Meal I’ve ever had.
Nestled down the quiet and unassuming ‘Church Street’ Aumbry instantly grabs your curiosity by its pure subtle presence. Any one with an interest in food in the North West should take note. The restaurant has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of years and being Manchester Food & Drink Festival “Restaurant of The year 2012” should give you an indication of just how good it is.
This week I had the chance to sample Aumbry’s new Festive menu, it was simply exquisite. I’ll start though by apologising for my photography, it in no way does justice to the dishes or the venue (I forgot the camera in my anticipation to just get there!)
We arrived and were greeted like old friends, a couple of glasses of Deutz Champagne and table in the upstairs staging area. Aumbry is by its very nature an intimate and cosy venue with the staging area effectively playing the role of the ‘sitting room’ before entering the ‘dining hall’ – perfect for this festive setting.
The meal itself I could talk all evening about and on the night I did, at length, with both the serving staff and chef alike. The Bury Black Pudding Scotch Egg was fantastic, the Three Bird Roast perfect, the Venison taste and texture a joy. We opted for the accompanying wines and each came with a highly knowledgeable background and rationale. Each course worked off the previous and the timing was as considered as I’ve seen.
Amuse Bouche (Below)
Home Smoked Mackerel with Roast celeriac, pickled beets & mustard cream
Bury Black Pudding Scotch Egg, Tomato ketchup & mushroom relish
A Royal Roast: Three bird roast, stuffing, bread sauce, roast potatoes & gravy
Wild Scottish Venison Slow cooked loin, braised haunch, parsley root & sprout tops
Chamomile & Apricot Trifle, Colosia Moscatel Sherry
Christmas pudding with Brandy Sauce
Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh
There are 2 variations on Aumbry’s Festive Menu and the option to add accompanying wines;
Aumbry’s festive five course menu includes Amuse Bouche, followed by a choice of Bury Black Pudding Scotch Egg or Home Smoked Mackerel, a main course of Wild Scottish Venison or a Three Bird Roast, finished off with either traditional Christmas Pudding or Chamomile and Apricot Trifle. The five course menu is available from December 1st – December 24th for lunch Tuesday -Sunday and on Tuesday evenings, priced at £35 per person.
Aumbry’s festive seven course menu consists of Amuse Bouche, followed by Home Smoked Mackerel, Celeriac Soup, a Three Bird Roast main course, completed with Christmas Pudding, a Mrs Beeton’s Mincemeat Pie and Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh. The seven course menu is available from December 1st – December 24th on Tuesday – Saturday, both at lunchtime and evenings at £45 per head. A selection of wines to accompany each course is available at an additional £30 per head.
After speaking with Head chef Mary-Ellen it is clear that the heart and soul of the staff goes into every dish, every serving and every occasion, the team work tirelessly and effortlessly to ensure your evening is of the highest standard and I would like to extend my personal thanks to all of them for not only a fantastic meal, but an experience I thoroughly enjoyed.
Aumbry, 2 Church Lane, Prestwich, M25 1AJ
T: 0161 798 5841
www.aumbryrestaurant.co.uk
