Manchester Gay Village: Food Glorious Food

Hi there! My name is Darren Cooper and when they let me out of my box, (which does happen occasionally!) I like nothing better than the freedom of the open road, the wind in my hair and the smell of pleather in my nostrils.

Food Glorious Food

Like most people, dining out is something that I look forward to when visiting a new place. A city can arguably be judged by the food that it serves and one of the ways to this man's heart is most definitely through his stomach.

Hardly surprising then that my pulse is already racing having done some saliva inducing research on Manchester's 300 plus restaurants.

I've also taken some local advice on where to eat in Manchester too which is always a good idea from my experience. The first name to trip off the tongue of most of the people that I talk to seems to be ABode, Michael Caines award winning restaurant, (it was voted the best restaurant in Manchester by the Pride of Manchester Awards) situated in the centre of the city in Piccadilly.

The restaurant is the most anticipated eatery to have opened in recent years in Manchester and this stylish basement eatery doesn't disappoint. Both the food and service are impeccable, without being stuffy and the food here manages to be both hearty and refined (as well as delicious) in equal measures. If you are planning a trip to Manchester then this establishment comes highly recommended. A reservation will avoid disappointment, for convenience do it at the same time as booking your room at the excellent ABode hotel.

ABode Restaurant

If classic French is more your style than contemporary English cuisine then the The French is another Michelin standard establishment having won the first star to be awarded in the UK. The great and the good, from royalty to rockstars have all eaten here over the years. Another French dining establishment for those in the know is Moss Nook, a homely little place which is actually next to Manchester airport. You won't find the usual airport cuisine here though and this bistro has been listed in the Which Good Food Guide for the last 29 years, so worth mentioning here.

Another award winning eatery is Manchester favourite Thai restaurant, Chaophraya, which has also been awarded Manchester's best restaurant and was voted 'Members' Favourite Restaurant' too for 2009 and 2010. Once inside the plush interior it's easy to see why this is a firm favourite with locals, the well priced fantastic Thai food probably also has something to do with it!

Following on the Asian theme is newly opened Ocean Treasure Chinese restaurant. This restaurant is just off Peter Street and serves a healthy menu of food mainly from the Cantonese region. I'm also a big fan of Japanese cuisine and Sapporo Teppanyaki is the place to head for excellent teppanyaki, delicious sushi and where watching the flamboyant chefs at work is just part of the experience.

The international culinary jamboree doesn't end there though, in Chinatown the Yang Sing has been dishing out some of the best dim sum for over 30 years while just around the corner in the Northern Quarter, Malaysian and South East Asian dishes are served up in the beautifully decorated Ning.

Relatively new to the restaurant scene is Rosso, an grand Italian restaurant at the top of King Street, which is proving to be a firm favourite with Manchester's A-list. Don't be surprised if you see a some of Manchester's sporting gods or a table full of Wags next to you here. If its authentic Italian cuisine that tickles the tastebuds then San Carlo, just off Deansgate, has been a jewel in the culinary crown of Manchester and is always a popular choice so be sure to book ahead.

Back with familiar British cuisine, the second floor restaurant at Harvey Nichols is a fantastic fine dining option with superb views of Exchange Square and Manchester Cathedral. Linen also flies the British culinary flag in an impressive dining area inside Manchester235 casino, perfect for an after dinner flutter.

If it's stunning surroundings that you are looking for when you eat out then Vermillion, which is close to the City of Manchester stadium is a real show stopper. The interior of this Thai inspired Asian fusion restaurant has been refurbished to the tune of £4.5 million and is arguably the most spectacular restaurant in Manchester and just a 10 minute cab ride from Piccadilly.

Perhaps my favourite though, being a confirmed carnivore was Gaucho, an Argentinean grill located in a former church which still houses a resplendent organ. Meat lovers will be in their element in this beautifully restored chapel, I can highly recommend one of the killer margarita to get proceedings started off with.

Manchester is only 2 hours and 7 minutes from London.

Fly to Manchester in 60 minutes from London with British Airways and BMI

For even more information visit the official Visit Manchester LGBT website.