Thomas Restaurant, Manchester: Review

Situated in the heart of Manchester's bustling Northern Quarter, Thomas Restaurant is in an ideal location less than ten minutes walk from Piccadilly Gardens, or the frantic Market Street and Arndale shopping centre. Surrounded by trendy bars, leading off to an array of boutique shops and cafes, establishments like this hammer home the fact the NQ is must-visit destination all year round for locals and visitors alike. Thomas Restaurant & Bar opened in March 2010, aiming offer a completely different environment to eat, drink and relax in. The venue has three floors designed for both drinkers and diners; with an architectural design combining interior and exterior spaces. 

We arrived around 7pm, immediately taking a table out front due to the rare but glorious balmy summer weather the city has been recently drenched in. The night is of course started with cocktails. Thomas offers a staple cocktail menu mixing much-loved classics such as Mojitos and Cosmopolitans, with new kids on the block such as the Porn Star Martini and Black Pepper Bramble. We opt for Bellinis; a light refreshing option to quench thirst and cleanse the pallet ahead of our meal.

The big news at Thomas Restaurant this summer is in the new guest menu, 'Morocco to Manchester', the work of Moroccan head chef Midi whose wish it was to introduce some of the delightful dishes he grew up with to an audience in Manchester. Not wanting to overlook some of the more resident dishes, we diplomatically opt to mix take separate journeys into the cuisine options.

I went East, choosing an Orange and Carrot Salad to start followed by Kafta Meat Balls with Fried Eggs. With the July sun burning as strong as ever, the light fruit based salad is a perfect cool, fresh dish to begin with. Set off with with tangy lemon juice and pine nuts for an added texture, this salad is ideal for warmer days, or those with eyes on one of the more fortified mains. My companion is served Gambas Pil Pil (below); king prawns in a tomato chilli and garlic sauce, accompanied by a soft fresh baguette.  

Our mains arrive swiftly, both beautifully presented, despite being poles apart in content. The Roast Halibut Fillet and Clams my friend has chosen lay nestled on a bed of softly creamed potato, drenched with a spinach and oyster butter sauce. Expertly seasoned and tenderly cooked, from the speed the meal disappears I think it's safe to say the taste matched the appearance! My main, Kafta Meat Balls with Fried Eggs served with saffron rice, is a sight to behold.

The spicy, herby meat balls are held in place by the eggs, themselves surrounded by a tomato chilli sauce. The salad is now seeming a very wise choice indeed, this is certainly a wholesome meal. The combination of meat balls, eggs, tomato and rice isn't something I would have imagined putting together, but I'm happy to report the flavours and textures really combined perfectly for a taste sensation. Naturally every morsel is consumed.  

It is also worth mentioning that whilst the weather enticed us to dine outside on this occasion, those seated inside on a Thursday night can enjoy a raft of live music to accompany the dining experience. From a lively guitar band to dulcet tones of an exceptional female vocalist, this was a different and unique touch to a modern yet intimate restaurant setup. 

Price wise Thomas is incredible value for money. Starters on the Moroccan guest menu start at £5 with mains from £12, whilst on the Thomas Favourites menu they offer a starter and main (select dishes) for £14.50. 

We leave extremely impressed with Thomas Restaurant; excellent service from the polite and efficient staff, an ideal central location, and a hugely diverse yet easy to navigate menu. The food really cannot be faulted, and if nothing else we implore you to head down and sample some of the really exciting Morocco to Manchester dishes on offer.

For more information head here.