Restaurant Review: The Shampan, Preston

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The Shampan – Didn’t Curry Favour

In the most fantastic piece of PR hyperbole ever witnessed, The Shampan Preston promised a ‘zen like atmosphere’. Last time I sat under gaudy neon, watching giant TVs playing hypnotic music I waited for lap dances, not a Chicken Tikka Masalas. I have visited on various occasions, and more than once the staff were comically rude and void of rapport. My all time favourite example was a Shampan Preston’s server abruptly

I’ve visited The Shampan Preston many times, usually, the staff were comically rude and void of rapport. My personal favourite demonstration was a server abruptly stopping in his tracks, cartoonishly double taking, and with a broad smile, zealously proclaimed my partner looked like ‘Ugly Betty’ – the ensuing awkward silence was suffocating.

I have thick skin and a nose for a bargain, so keep crawling back. The Shampan Preston’s Early Bird Menu offers fantastic value, guaranteeing a decent meal for cheaper than I can cook myself, minus the hassle.

The poppadums, sundries and starters were uninspiring but perfectly edible. If used in conjunction with The Shampan Preston’s Early Bird offer, they’re basically free. If you like food that is so hot it makes you cry, go for Chicken Naga Naga. It’s the highlight of The Shampan Preston’s menu, saturated with flavour and full of married together oomph. There is something to be said for eating a meal that doesn’t leave you painfully leaking from every orifice; if you don’t enjoy the exhilaration of inflamed stomach lining and trachea, the Nepali Chicken is a tasty, sensible choice. The Classic Favourites are fine but forgettable, the Madras being particularly flavourless. The side portions and bread were generously portioned, moreish and fabulously unhealthy. The Shampan Preston’s drinks were pricey, but with the Early Bird Menu being so inexpensive, this was no cause for alarm.

The Shampan Preston is not designed for romance but is a great value midweek eatery for chilli-heads looking for speedy service and lots of choices.

The Shampan Preston
Review Summary

Atmosphere 2   Cost 10    Quality 6    Service 2

*Since this review was first published, The Shampan Preston is unfortunately no longer with us –   hence the lack of link*

Restaurant Review: Mr Cooper’s House & Garden, Manchester

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Mr Cooper’s – A Barrel Of Fun

I was greatly looking forward to Mr Cooper’s Home & Garden restaurant, being a long-time fan boy of Simon Rogan. In the unlikely event, my bank balance reaches even just three figures, I will visit one of his Michelin starred establishments In the meantime, thankfully Mr Cooper’s provided an affordable approach to fine dining.

Mr Cooper’s is housed on the ground floor of the imposing Midland Hotel, a grand Edwardian building, with distinctive Baroque architecture. The restaurant has a quirky heritage, with the eccentric interior design being both impressive and unpretentious. As a side note, the eponymous Mr Cooper was a something of a Manchester local legend back in the day, owning a house & garden back on the site in 1819. He was a passionate horticulturist and intrigued by the science and art of cultivating flowers, fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants.

The starters were reasonably priced for food of this quality, ranging from £4 to £8.50. Unusual touches on classic flavour combinations were the pleasing hallmark of the menu. The deep-fried prawns, mango and chorizo marmalade, were succulent and delicious. The corned bread, chicken livers with mango chutney and watercress, were simple but scrumptious.

Mr Cooper’s is an excellent choice for pescatarians, with lovely fish and vegetation options. The mussel, monkfish and potato romesco let the quality of the ingredients shine through, as did the halibut baked in a cabbage leaf, with broad beans and Vin Blanc. Both were presented beautifully, pairing perfectly with the not outrageously priced Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. The side order of deep fried pickles was staggeringly moreish – so good they can’t have been legal.

Desserts at Mr Cooper’s restaurant sounded interesting but were not the highlight. White chocolate cake with pineapple cardamom compote had all my favourite flavours together in one place. It should have been memorable, but was a little dry. The peanut parfait with marinated strawberries and sweet cucumber syrup didn’t inspire, but credit for providing such quirky options. I doubt even Nigella Lawson won’t be bothered to whip up cucumber and peanut deserts after work.

All the staff were conversational, smart and down-to-earth. Service at Mr Coopers’s was perfectly pleasant although sluggish in delivery. A final and important point should be given to the bar. As they correctly proclaim: “Manchester needed a proper, grown-up bar” – and this is it. Mr Cooper’s cocktail list is as fine as anywhere, with a sophisticated and exciting broader drinks menu. Unique options such as the East Amber Dram Sour, consisting of sesame seed infused scotch whisky, pear, lemon, lemongrass, egg white, served with lemongrass and pear slices, will make the synapses sparkle of any proper drinker.

Mr Cooper’s Review Summary

Atmosphere 10  Cost 8  Quality 8  Service 9

Mr Cooper's Restaurant Review Manchester
Mr Cooper’s – I just want to leave here
Mr Cooper's Restaurant Review Manchester
Always a great shout

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House & Garden

Restaurant Review: Evuna NQ, Manchester

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Evuna NQ – Slices of Spanish Sunshine

Evuna NQ’s a corner of non-descript scruffy buildings, not doing justice to the hidden charms inside. The NQ hipster enclave of Manchester has far more than its fair share of exciting places to eat and drink; despite stiff competition, this charming tapas restaurant is worth seeking out.

Evuna NQ’s lunch-time menu of three tapas for £9.90 with slightly reduced wine prices offered decent value. In short, all six tapas dishes were wolfed down. The menu was limited and ultimately predictable; but, as everything served was tasty, nobody cared. Unless against your religion, it is a sin to not eat the spicy chorizo in red wine. Even if it is, take one for the team and get it down you – I was on my hands and knees praying in gratitude. Even the house red provided an excellent match, making me glad I was alive. The calamari was perfectly reasonable but lacked colour, while his best buddy aioli did him proud. The meatballs were meanly portioned but nicely spiced, and served in a purposeful tomato sauce. Some further meat on a stick managed to be both juicy and well caramelised. Everything was generally as it should be; Evuna NQ left me feeling alright with the world.

Evuna NQ created a relaxed yet very tasteful atmosphere, provided by the solid wooden furniture, exposed brickwork, and soft lighting. While the staff were all warm, welcoming and happy to help. The danger of Evuna NQ lunch visits is the wine is too tempting to leave. I’m less inclined to go for dinner – this was food to nibble at – not feast on. Still, Evuna NQ was a touch of sunshine, in a permanently drizzly spot.

Evuna NQ
Review Summary

Atmosphere 8    Cost 7    Quality 7    Service 8

Evuna NQ Manchester Restaurant Review
The usual suspects…

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