Bill’s Trafford Centre

When it comes to The Orient at the Trafford Centre, it’s more like the Gobi Desert as far as a decent meal is concerned. Just because you’ve shopped till you’ve dropped, it doesn’t mean your culinary standards have dropped too. That’s where Bill’s comes in.

The family business is now, like the other dining options available at the Trafford Centre, a sizeable chain but in Bill’s at least, you’ll still find a warm welcome and a crowd-pleasing selection of dishes that sometimes manage to deliver rather punchy flavours. You will be pleasantly surprised.

The menu isn’t particularly seasonal or ambitious but there’s something for everyone with healthy helpings of smashed avocado, feta and poached eggs with baby spinach, modern classics like macaroni cheese and steaks and burgers from the grill.

There is also a good kid’s menu which is more than just an afterthought, a brunch menu (although most of the dishes on the all-day menu have a slightly brunchy feel, a bit surreal at 8pm) and a good value set menu. The separate menus show that Bill’s is on top of gluten free dietary requirements and the vegetarian dishes are well signposted although there isn’t much choice for vegans.

There is an unlikely generosity in the fillets of fish crammed into the fish pie and there’s a real zingy oomph to the tuna tacos. Portion sizes in general are pretty hearty making Bill’s a reliable option that often exceeds expectations.