Chez Mal Brasserie

Chez Mal Brasserie Manchester sells exactly the sort of European classics you might expect from a well-thought of boutique hotel chain. It’s not exactly full of surprises but everything is executed with a certain flair that doesn’t feel formulaic.

Steaks are the big thing, from rib-eye to a chateaubriand – a lovely touch for a date night – and there are wines aplenty to pair with them.

It’s not just about red meat and red wine. Expect dishes like scallops with chorizo and spinach, a salmon hash with a poached egg and pan-fried halibut as well as the signature Mal burger. OK, so it is largely about red meat and red wine.

There are lovely cocktails too – their Malchemy range get it spot on about the magic that can occur when spirits swirl together. Battles & Hearts is an example of an Aperol Spritz that’s totally re-invented with Lillet rouge and Pampelle – a grapefruit aperitif – but there are well-made classics too like a Martini, a Mojito and a Manhattan.

Chez Mal Brasserie is known for its Sunday lunch buffets – all you can eat from a huge spread of cold meats, olives, breads, artichokes and the like plus a choice of brunch dishes or roasts. The roasts have a very good reputation in the city; the standard of the meat at Malmaison is always high.

There is also a very good afternoon tea offering and, as you’d expect for a chain hotel close to Piccadilly Station, it is very well set up for business lunches and meetings too.

Want to be the first to receive all the latest news, tips, articles, guides and updates from Confidential Guides? Sign up here.