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Tempus Bar and Restaurant

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MichaelJM
MichaelJM
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
7
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Editor Pick

Tempus Bar and Restaurant

  • June 1, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by MichaelJM from Nottingham, England
Tempus Bar and Restaurant

This fantastic Grade 2 listed building is real close to the Palace Theatre and offers pre-theatre meals at greatly reduced prices if you get your order in before seven o’clock. I made it with only a few minutes to spare and I was surprised that they were still willing to do the deal (two courses for £12.95 and three courses for an additional four pounds). I kid myself that I’m careful about what I eat (although I don’t count the calorific value of what I drink!) and so I went for the two-course meal of a starter and main course.

It’s still possible to get a reasonably priced meal at the Tempus if you miss the pre-theatre special and they have a range of main courses, which make up their Plat du jour. Of course you’re limited to the dish, which is available on the day but I heard numerous people opting for the “Tuesday special” – a chunky steak and ale pie with chips for £12.95. Mind you my meal deal was just a great deal as I noticed that the main course normally sold for £18.95 and the starter for £6.95. That’s some saving on a quality meal.

All dishes that were subject to the “meal deal” were marked with a small asterix and whilst I studied the menu I opted for a pint of Guinness. I all truthfulness there was an abysmal selection of beers although any lager drinkers would be spoilt for choice with three on draught and others in bottles. Still I was happy with my Guinness – nicely chilled and tasting only as a good pint should taste. I experience no dilemmas about what I was going to eat and by the time my beer arrived I was ready to order.

On arriving in the restaurant I’d been surprised that the headwaiter wanted to take my name, but it soon became evident why this was a critical step. You see whenever a waitress approached me they referred by my name – that, to me was quite impressive, and was a clear symbol that this place puts the diner in very high regard. “I understand that you’re ready to order” beamed my waitress. She congratulated me on my choice of starter and having taken my order for Lamb checked that I would be happy for it to be served pink. “We always prepare it this way” she explained, “but if you want it cooked more I can sort that for you.” I reassured her that “pink” was the way I preferred my lamb and she beamed almost appreciatively.

I didn’t have to wait that long for my starter, goat’s cheese and sun-dried tomatoes with a herb salad and olive tapenade. I was a bit taken back with the colour of the cheese (but on reflection as the tomatoes had been mixed into the cheese it was hardly surprising that it had a pinkish glow to it) but the dish was beautifully presented although the small spoonful of tapenade on top of the cheese was not that influential in the overall flavouring.

There was plenty of time to check out the fantastic architecture with its beautifully finished and highly polished pillars leading to an amazing skylight throwing natural light onto the numerous mirrors that abound in the main dining room. It truly is a spectacle and I wasn’t too surprised that the Palace Hotel, to which this Tempus Bar is attached, was once one of Manchester’s most prestigious hotels. Of course it now must compete with numerous others but it has a price tag that I’m not prepared to buy in at. Mind you it won’t stop me checking it out for any late deals!

The Main course or, as it’s described on the menu, “tempus continues” arrived hot and tastefully presented. It might be minimalist in presentation but there was plenty of it and the mint and crusted rump of lamb was excellently prepared - pink, tender and tasty. It was served with fondant potatoes and glazed vegetables and although the menu was a wee bit pretentious there was nothing wrong with the taste of the dishes.

I was struck by the ultra politeness of the waiting-on staff and although it was somewhat contrived and verging on the sycophantic I didn’t feel that it was out of place in this grand setting. A great meal in a fairly special building! It must be worth a visitor to Manchester checking this one out.

From journal O 2 Eat Out in 08

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