Can You Bank On The Embankment Kitchen In Manchester?

It was a typical wet night in Manchester when we visited the new Embankment Kitchen in Manchester. I say new, it only opened last November but the CitySuites apartments that sit above the restaurant have been open for nearly 18 months now.

As you walk past the restaurant you see a huge TV screen showing Sky Sports. "It looks like lads drinking place with that showing to passers by" comments my partner, "It would not encourage me to go in if I wanted to dine" she continued.

When you do enter though you find that this is more of a smart dining experience than any other impressions you may have had. Thankfully the TV is on mute with subtitles on the screen.

A huge fake cherry tree is at one end of the restaurant, there are plenty of seat configurations including cosy booths, a bar seating area along with other traditional tables and chairs. A wooden floor gives a stylish touch along with clean contemporary lines adding to the warm atmosphere, unlike the TV which gives out a conflicting message.

If you dine Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm the Early Bird Menu offers 2 courses for £15.00 or 3 courses for £19.50. There is also a Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 5pm to 7pm.

The main drinks menu is extensive with draught beers, bottled beers, Signature Cocktails, Fevertree mixes and even Homemade Lemonade.

My partner chose from the Early Bird Menu with the Parma Ham wrapped melon. If you like your melon hard rather than it being juicy you will be in luck. We noticed another couple on the table opposite also voicing opinion about the melon being too hard.

Her main of Grilled Seabass fillet, rosemary potatoes, green beans and salsa verde seemed to be a game of two halves: the seabass was said to be excellent and cooked to perfection but the potatoes were far too greasy for her liking and it would have been hard to taste any rosemary.

The dessert she chose from the Early Bird Menu was the Baked New York Cheesecake with mixed berry compote on the side. With a nice firm base and tasty top it lived up to the Big Apple's reputation for doing things right.

I chose from the main menu with a starter of Edamame Beans served with sweet chilli. A plentiful serving with a very fresh taste.

The main menu has pizzas, burgers, pasta, fish, steaks and chicken dishes to choose from including some classic vegetarian dishes.

My grilled Aberdeen Angus Cheeseburger with bacon as an extra comes in at £13.95, served with fries and relish it was a filling, meaty and tasty burger, though a little salty.

My dessert of Sticky Toffee Pudding served with butterscotch sauce and ice cream was soft, scrumptious and satisfying.

The service throughout was attentive and first class from the very knowledgeable staff.

I did notice that the majority of our fellow diners were residents at the CitySuites. Apparently the Sunday Roast is one of the best in Manchester it is said.

If you are still wondering why the TV screen is showing Sports well, according to our server, it seems it is there for some of the professional football players who dine at the restaurant.

Given time and experience I'm sure The Embankment Kitchen will become top of its league.

The Embankment Kitchen, 16, Chapel Street, Manchester M3 7NH

https://www.citysuites.com/en/embankment-kitchen/