Our Kelly, heads down to Worsley to sample fine bistro food at George’s Dining Room and Bar.
Rating:
In a Word:
Indulgent
Cuisine:
British bistro
Appeals To:
Families, friends and couples looking for a restaurant with a certain je ne sais quoi.
Atmosphere
Take the scenic route North out of Manchester and you’ll soon find yourself in the little town of Worsley. Making waves in the local dining scene is Ryan Giggs’ up-and-coming bistro – George’s Dining Room and Bar.
Putting a luxury twist on rustic farmhouse décor, it strikes the balance perfectly between a hearty local eatery and the kind of trend-setting bar where you’d expect a famous ex-footballer to feel at home.
Visiting on a cold December night, the restaurant was alive with diners pulling crackers, telling jokes and clinking glasses; it’s clearly a hotspot for family meals and drinks with friends, and we instantly felt relaxed.
The Food
Escorted to our table, we were left to browse the menu for only a moment before a rather moreish amuse bouche was brought over. An elegantly presented miniature plate of duck foie gras wrapped in buttery pastry, served with raisin chutney and nutty foam, it set the tone for the delicious feast that followed.
The Starters
Cornfed Chicken and Mushroom Pie – £7.95
Curious to see if a pie could possibly be a starter-sized portion, we were impressed by the dainty little ramekin that emerged from the kitchen, filled to the brim with steamy, creamy chicken, mushroom and veg. Topped with a flaky round of puff pastry and served with a still-warm bread bun on the side, the latter was ideal for mopping up every last drop of goeey sauce.
Tempura Avocado and Pomegranate Dragon Roll – £8.75
Delicate, colourful and fresh, this fun sushi starter was quite a contrast to the pie, with fruity pops of pomegranate offsetting the sharp notes of wasabi and soy sauce. The neat dragon rolls were presented with military precision, and tasted every bit as good as they looked.
The Mains
Red Wine Poached Baby Monkfish Tail – £15.50
George’s menu had a generous selection of seafood dishes, but the monkfish tail jumped out as something a little different to the standard bistro fare. Sure enough, it was quite unlike any fish dish I’ve had before.
This meaty cut of monkfish was infused with subtle wine flavours, and sat on a generous bed of creamy, cheesy risotto; a garlicky cluster of pan-fried leeks nestled on top. If you like fish but want a good feed, this ticked the boxes on all fronts.
Suckling Pig – £15.50
However, for a real indulgent treat, the suckling pig was hard to beat. This streaky slice of pork was oozing with flavour, with caramelised edges and a festive raisin chutney on the side. Served with carrots, jus and a copper bowl piled high with duck fat roast potatoes, it’s safe to say that we were well and truly stuffed by the end.
The Desserts
Salted Caramel and Vanilla Shortbread – £6.50
The crème de la crème of our meal was undoubtedly the dessert, simply due to the show-stopping flourish with which it was presented. The name really doesn’t do it justice; this platter included caramel ice cream, salted caramel and chocolate ganache, chocolate frangipane, vanilla shortbread and striped shards of chocolate. Needless, to say we could have shared it – but we’d already ordered ice cream!
A Trio of Ice Creams – £6.50
At risk of being a bore, my partner is a sucker for a bowl of ice cream. However, this Cheshire farm ice cream was irresistibly creamy, with generous scoopfuls of rum and raisin, vanilla and caramel to cool down after the indulgent dishes above.
The Drinks
Espresso Martini – £7.00
As my partner was designated driver, I was given the opportunity to get stuck in to the drinks menu. Their comprehensive cocktail menu featured an impressive range of classics, signature cocktails and even festive concoctions, but I was instantly sold on the espresso martini.
Ice cold and silky smooth with a thin layer of coffee foam, the cocoa dusting and coffee beans on top gave this cocktail just the right level of bittersweet brilliance.
French Sauvignon – £6.00 (large)
The wine menu was just as extensive, grouping wines by their level of sweetness, quirkiness, or full-bodied character. For an admittedly not-quite-wine connoisseur like myself, this made pairing your drink with your meal a much easier task. I opted for the French sauvignon, the name of which, after a large glassful, never made pen to paper. However, the light zesty flavours paired deliciously with the pork and fish.
The Verdict
From the faultless presentation of the food to the indulgent flavours that made every dish memorable, we found it hard to resist the charms of this bar and bistro. With its focus on top notch food in a relaxed but upmarket setting, George’s Dining Room and Bar has found a recipe for success. We’re hardly surprised that the restaurant was recently awarded its first AA Rosette. Keep up the good work guys.
The Details
17 – 21 Barton Road
Worsley
Manchester
M28 2PD
T:0161 794 5444
E:info@georgesworsley.co.uk
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