Harden's survey result
Summary
This “lovely space in the Midland Hotel” is part of the city’s heritage in many ways: a famous Grade II listed chamber that was already sufficiently well-known that Charles Rolls first met Henry Royce here in 1904 on the path to establishing Rolls Royce. Later in the 20th century it held Manchester’s first Michelin star, only to lose it in 1957. Great British Menu winner Adam Reid is currently the head chef, having arrived at the stoves in 2013 when the dining room was run by Simon Rogan, and then staying on in his own right as chef-patron in 2016. Under Adam, it has won an impressive four AA stars… but not one from the tyre man as yet. Choose between the ‘Signature’ menu for £160 per person, or the ‘Signature Experience’ at £230 per person. Fans say it’s “absolutely stunning and brilliant!”.
Summary
“Such a wonderful experience” – this famous Grade II listed chamber has been at the heart of the City’s dining culture for over a century (Charles Rolls first met Henry Royce here in 1904 before going on to found Rolls Royce). Under chef Adam Reid’s ten-year stint, it has yet to recapture the Michelin star (the city’s first) that it lost in 1975, but his twelve-course tasting menu (for £130 per person, £145 per person on Saturday night) is consistently rated as “good” to “outstanding” in our annual diners’ poll. Top Menu Tip – “wonderful afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly; a massive choice of tea and coffee (bottomless) and really good selection of savory and sweet treats” served in the nearby ‘Tea Room’, overlooking St Peter’s Square.
Summary
“Located in a grande dame of a Manchester hotel” – don’t let the fact that this bastion of the city (where Mr Rolls first met Mr Royce) is situated in the heart of a classic traditional hotel gull you into thinking that its glory days (it held the city’s first Michelin star until losing it in 1975) are behind it. “Once you walk through the doors of the restaurant, you do feel removed from the hotel” – a “delightful” setting – and ‘The French’ is “worthy of a visit for Adam Reid’s tasting menu food that fully delivers on the hit to the tastebuds”. “It’s not all serious plates, with some playful dishes offering something a little different and intriguing” and – though not as commented-on as Mana nowadays – some diners still hail it as “the best culinary experience in Manchester”.
Summary
“Adam Reid’s food is consistently top-notch – modern, but with lots of classic technique, and there’s often a witty note to the dishes” in this updated version of the classic, grand-hotel dining room where Mr Rolls first met Mr Royce many years ago. For several years now Mancunians have complained that it has been “unfairly overlooked” for the restoration of the Michelin star it lost in 1975. There’s also the bonus of a “brilliant sound track – not least for the way it is so at odds with the grandeur of the dining room!”
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Adam Reid at The French?
16 Peter St, Manchester, M60 2DS
Restaurant details
Adam Reid at The French Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Fantastic lunch. Food courses presented by the chef. Lovely space in the Midland Hotel. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £160.00 |  |
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| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £23.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
16 Peter St, Manchester, M60 2DS
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6 am‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 5 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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