As you can probably tell I eat out in Manchester all the time, too much in fact. I tend to visit the independent bars and restaurants as I find their food much more unique and the food is usually of a much higher standard. When I was invited to review Jamie’s Italian I was a little dubious. Jamie Oliver has become a household name and chain of restaurants by a celebrity chef has never much appealed to me. I was fully expecting to slate it, I mean really not like it, but the opposite is actually the case.
Housed within a beautiful grade II listed building at the top of King Street, Jamie’s Italian has the perfect atmosphere for a romantic meal or quick bite with friends. The grand windows and ambient lighting allows for the perfect ‘mood setter’ and we were lucky to be seated in the first floor dining area overlooking the main restaurant and bar area.
I have visited Jamie’s Italian a few times before but just for drinks with friends. It is a great chilled out bar area during the week and their ‘Jamie’s Evening Favourites’ is a great deal with three courses for £18.95 and you can add a glass of fizz for a fiver. I hadn’t seen this before else I am sure I would have been there to eat sooner! We chose this menu and put it through it’s paces.
I kept things simple with the Tomato and Ricotta Bruschetta after nearly drooling over one arriving to the next table. The bread had been crisped perfectly meaning it didn’t turn to mush under the topping. The buffalo ricotta is whipped so light and airy with almost fruity slow roasted cherry tomatoes topped with a drizzle of olive oil.
My friend chose the Cured Meat Plank which is quirkily served on top of two tins of chopped tomatoes. There is a great selection served with an impressive ‘slaw that is bound with a light yoghurt dressing rather than mayonnaise so as not to overpower the other elements of the plank. Fennel salami, pistachio mortadella, prosciutto and schiacciata picante are explained by the wait staff so you start off light and end on the rich spicy slice. The cheeses were my favourite with the wonderfully creamy buffalo mozzarella being a complete contrast to the pungent pecorino. A selection of olives and pickles finish it off perfectly and this is something I would definitely order for myself.
Being full of a cold and feeling very sorry for myself I chose the most comforting thing on the menu – Spicy Sausage Casarecce. A combination of pork, fennel sausage and nduja make a spicy and rich ragu with lashings of pasta topped with herby breadcrumbs and the obligatory parmesan. The spice is just enough to warm without overwhelm and the dish is a very generous size, so much so that I ate half and was nearly fit to burst.
My friend chose to upgrade his meal to the 35 Day Dry Aged Sirloin for an extra £5. I thought this was an excellent deal with the size and quality of the piece of meat that was delivered to our table. It was cooked exactly as requested with a slight heat from the fresh horseradish within the garlic butter. A simply dressed side salad is served as an accompaniment as well as some of the best chips I have had in Manchester. Stupidly named ‘Funky Chips’ have a fabulous herby seasoning that saw me constantly nicking them despite being stuffed from my own meal.
For dessert I chose the Baked White Chocolate Cheesecake which didn’t have that heaviness you would usually associate with a baked dessert. The rich white chocolate mascarpone is piled on top of a crunchy base with tart raspberries and some smashed amaretti biscuits. It was rich and decadent, I managed a couple of mouthfuls before admitting defeat but I do wish I could have taken it with me enjoy in my pyjamas later in the evening.
My friend also chose well with the Molten Chocolate Praline Pudding. A soft and moist chocolate pudding with an oozing chocolate and praline centre is served with a dollop of excellent vanilla ice cream. The praline is a lovely change to the traditional melting middle chocolate puddings and gives a rich nutty element to the dish.
For a chain I was pleasantly surprised with Jamie’s Italian, the food was excellent and the service impeccable with all questions answered straight away with superb knowledge of the menu and the dishes. I can’t wait to go back and at £18.95 for 3 courses I definitely won’t be a stranger, get my casarecce on standby!
I was invited to dine as a guest of Jamie’s Italian.
No Comments