This weekend me and my partner went to Michael Caines Restaurant and Champagne Bar at ABode Manchester, located in a lower level dining room. The restaurant specialises in European using both local and regional produce and ingredients from Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and surrounding areas.
It was a special occasion so we decided to try one of two taster menu, one was created by different chefs who have worked at the restaurant and the other fashioned by Michael Caine himself. Its worth pointing out that the Michael Caine who owns this restaurant is a chef originating from Exeter, Devon and not the award winning actor from films like The Dark Knight and Harry Brown.
Ready...steady...eat.
1. The meal started with roasted scallops with cauliflower, cumin, truffle and raisin vinaigrette.
2. Roasted Duck Liver with orange, chicory, walnuts and raisins.
3. Roasted Quail with herb puree, truffled egg yolk. Potato gnocchi, tarragon jus.
The pacing between each meal was spot on for me; we had about five-ten minutes after each meal to reflect on the delicious food we had just consumed.
4. It was almost impossible to choose a favourite dish, but this was it for me. Wild Sea Bass with parsnip puree and vanilla jus.
5. My partners favourite course was number five. Roasted Beef Sirloin cooked to perfection. Accompanied by glazed ox cheek, celeriac puree, roasted shallots and res wine sauce.
6. Millefeuille of crème brulee with caramelised pear, pear sorbet. This is the type of dessert that would catch my attention on any food menu. Light and delicate, creamy and heavenly.
7. Last but not least dark chocolate and confit orange mousse served with orange sorbet, dark chocolate ice cream. it was a little too rich and heavy for my palette but perfect for my partners.