On her quest to find the best places to wine and dine in Manchester, our Kelly heads to 47 King Street West for fine British and French cuisine.
Rating:
In a Word:
Upmarket
Cuisine:
Contemporary British & French
Appeals to:
Those seeking an intimate dining experience where the focus is entirely on good food, drink and service – not outlandish décor and plates.
Atmosphere:
Tucked away from the busy streets of Deansgate, 47 King Street West lures you in with its sparkling fairy lights, crisp white linen and classic chill-out music – a welcome escape from the crowds.
47 King Street has an ambience that’s both moody and alluring; striking monochrome décor, subdued lighting and immaculate place settings give this fine dining restaurant a modern but timeless feel.
Owned by Mike Hymanson, who embarked on the venture with his two sons, Barry and Howard, after losing heart with his role as a high powered lawyer, this family-run restaurant offers an independent dining experience that is surprisingly rare in Manchester city centre.
The Food:
Head chef Rod Francis is well known throughout the region, having headed up some of the city’s finest kitchens for decades. Classically French trained, he has an eye for detail that’s apparent from the carefully crafted menu through to the elegant presentation of every dish.
The Starters:
Pan Seared Shetland Scallops – £13.95
Scallops are impressive whichever way you serve them, but paired with pork belly, chorizo and pea puree, this seemed too good to resist. Stylishly presented and perfectly seasoned, these scallops pulled apart and practically melted on the tongue. A balanced dish lifted by a light balsamic dressing, it certainly made a good first impression.
Chicken Liver Parfait – £8.95
This much-loved classic had a modern twist, presented in geometric form with a chilled butter surround and a row of cracked black pepper on top. Spread onto lightly toasted and slightly sweet brioche, with a dash of plum and thyme marmalade, it was an original take on a starter that rarely gets star treatment.
The Mains
Spicy Seafood Linguine – £15.95
This is one for the chilli lovers; I always take ‘spicy’ with a pinch of salt on a menu, but this pasta dish didn’t disappoint. Stirred through with lashings of bird’s eye chilli, every mouthful awakened the taste buds and brought the thick, creamy sauce to life.
The generous serving of linguine included plenty of prawns, cod and salmon, making it as filling as it was fiery.
Fillet Medallions of Lake District Beef – £25.95
Pleased to see the origins of the meat proudly displayed on the menu, we couldn’t resist sampling this premium cut of Cumbrian beef. The chef did it justice; tender, juicy, and lightly browned around the edges.
Served on a bed of impressively elegant potato puree, the jus and medallions soaked through to ensure every inch of the dish was packed with flavour. Paired with mushrooms, spinach and lightly roasted vine tomatoes, with a huge side portion of mixed greens to boot, this was British fare at its very finest…
The Dessert
Asiette of Sweet Treats to Share – £12.95
Having just about left room for pudding, we were overwhelmed by the tempting selection of desserts. Thankfully, the asiette of sweet treats made our decision rather easy, and gave us an opportunity to discover Rod’s sweeter side…
Keeping the monochrome theme alive, this black slate was beautifully presented with berries, chocolate and mini desserts, dusted lightly with icing sugar to finish.
We sampled boozy kirsch cherries, champagne jelly, decadent chocolate mousse and shortbread, and a crème brûlée that had the most deliciously crisp, caramelised top you could dream of. It really was a show-stopping end to what had been a spectacular meal.
The Drinks
The drinks menu didn’t let the side down. A diverse range of world wines featured on the concise but balanced wine list, as well as bubbles to suit every budget. Meanwhile, the cocktail menu included old classics alongside modern favourites, with plenty of choice for gin, vodka and rum lovers alike.
We stuck to wine on this occasion, and enjoyed a beautiful bottle of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc from the esteemed Montes winemakers. Delicate but quenching, this versatile bottle of plonk complemented every dish with ease, without overpowering any of the flavours.
The Verdict:
With its family values and sophisticated setting, 47 King Street West strikes the balance between fine dining and a more casual restaurant experience that ensures the atmosphere is calm, relaxed and upbeat.
An intimate spot for a date or special occasion, the passion that Mike, Rod and the team share made us fall in love with this upmarket eatery – an instant favourite in a city where there’s no shortage of restaurants.
The Details
47 King Street West
Manchester
M3 2PW
Tel: 0161 839 1929
Email: info@47kingstreetwest.com