A return visit that didn’t disappoint
After I had enjoyed a glorious meal at Grafene with a friend back in March, Andrew was keen to see what he had missed out on. So I was chuffed (northern adjective: pleased with myself!) when he booked us in for the seven course taster menu.
It’s such a slick place, and the staff are great. Not being a drinker, the bar staff asked what I liked and made me a mocktail to my sour specification. We were sat in a big plush booth which was just perfect for the feast being served up.
Cep, consume, truffle. Small but mighty. I’d love a flask full of this on a cold day.
Crab, risotto, radish. I loved this on my first visit, and just as much this time.
Black pudding, beans and bacon. Yes that is a bacon ‘foam’. If you served me this for breakfast or brunch I would be so chuffed!
Not pictured: a surprise amuse bouche and bread and butter including a garlic loaf with wild garlic butter. Oh. Yeah.
Monk fish, baby turnip, linseed, urchin butter. The linseed cracker added great texture and urchin butter really is flavoursome!
Veal loin, olive, kohlrabi short rib. British veal. The loin and rib meat were so tender and I didn’t even complain about the massive olive hit on the plate- that my friends is progress!
Not pictured: a pre-dessert same as last time ie lots of coconut!
Pear, champagne, hay, fromage blanc. Possibly my favourite dish of the night. Sweet fragrant pear ran through all the elements on the plate and fromage blanc works really well to cut through the sweetness.
Passion fruit, white chocolate, ginger. So sweet, but I liked the meringued white choc.
Petit fours. A perfect way to round off the perfect meal. Am still in love with the florentines – can you box them up and sell them please?
These taster menus are such a great way of trying a broad range of what a restaurant has to offer, and given that we had seven courses, plus dreamy breads and a couple of surprise dishes, you are looking at some good value for money.
Grafene also have a couple of special events coming up with matched drinks….even better if gin or champagne are your thing. Damn if I could drink I would be all over theses!
Sipsmith Gin Dinner – 20 June 2018. £60
Each of the unique five-course fine-dining menu is paired with an exclusive gin flight.
Pommery Champagne Dinner – 18 July 2018 £70
An opportunity to sample Pommery Champagne, alongside a specially created five-course fine-dining menu.
Grafene. 55 King Street, Manchester. M2 4LG. info@grafene.co.uk
