Out for Breakfast in for Evening Meal!

I’d done my usual trick of checking laterooms.com and the hotel’s own web site before ringing up to negotiate a deal. As usual the hotel room rate was more than the web site but when challenged they agreed a price match and a room upgrade to a bigger apartment. The deal at £87 for a two room apartment together with breakfast seemed good to me and the advantage of a direct booking is that there’s no advance charge and the cancellation could be up to 12 noon on the day of arrival.

I arrived at The Place just after 18 hrs. It’s really conveniently sited an a quiet road close to Piccadilly Station and only a 15 minute walk up to China town and 10 minutes to the centre of town. It’s an old warehouse that been nicely converted to an apartment hotel. I’ve only stayed once before in an apartment hotel and of course the advantage is that you get much more room for your money with facilities to cook for yourself (if you’re that way inclined) and a pleasant seating area

Checking in was efficiently laid back and fairly painless. The usual swipe of the credit card for the hotel’s protection and I was swiftly moving to the fourth floor to my room.

The Place was originally known as "the London Warehouse" and when built, in the mid 1800’s, was one of four huge cloth warehouses. It’s the only one that has survived and is now a grade II listed building that, lying dormant after the Great Depression for over 30 years, was acquired by the current owners and converted into the Place Hotel. The seven storey building is dominated by massive cast iron columns supporting box riveted iron girders which in turn carry cast floor joints of huge dimensions. This design enabled large uninterrupted floor space crucial for the effective storage and movement of the cloth in, out and around the building. The cloth had arrived by canal to Manchester and the warehouse acted as a resting place for the goods until they were ordered and then efficiently dispatched via the railway system to anywhere in the UK. It’s great to see such an historical building being "re-cycled" – it is, after all part of our heritage.

All rooms face onto an internal courtyard with palm trees and water features and the huge supporting metal columns soar to the skylight, well above my floor. My upgraded room was huge with a large lounge looking onto the courtyard and equipped with a large TV, DVD and CD player a comfortable settee and easy chair and a dining table for four. Off the lounge diner was a small but well equipped kitchen with a dish washer fridge, microwave, and cooker. There was a plentiful supply of complimentary beverages and a small container of fresh milk – more than enough for a single night’s stay. The shortbread biscuits were also very tasty!

The two bedrooms were both en-suite with a good range of toiletries. Overall the Place Apartment was well presented and would pander to the needs of all but the most picky of travellers. Personally I liked the charm of the conversion that had left the original features intact. Iron girders ran along the bricked barrelled ceiling of the apartment and the lack of plaster work had left the original bricks on view. In places they’d obviously been relayed but sections appeared to be the original work of the 1800’s. You can’t beat raw history and I momentarily imagined the hustle and bustle that would have been in the heyday of this huge warehouse.
After a spot of relaxation I headed down to the ground floor bar and lounge. The dining room is only open for breakfast during the week and food can be ordered for your apartment or consumed in the bar area. There are half a dozen small dining tables and large comfortable chairs for "chilling out in". Certainly I didn’t intend to venture far as the Manchester weather was once again inclement (it was pouring with rain),

Having ordered my rib eyed steak I caught up on the day’s newspapers (there are plenty of free ones lying around) and the depressing breaking news of the US efforts to support the economy. It was certainly no fun watching the trading figured of the stock market as it spiralled down by over 6% in as many minutes. Thankfully my meal arrived to distract me before I could become too depressed but I was to be disappointed as the steak was tough and in my view unacceptable. I complained and without fuss it was returned to the kitchen and I opted for the safer option of beer battered fish with chunky chips and a "healthy salad". It should have been served with mushy peas but as I’d complained once already I didn’t feel up to yet another one, but the salad did look and indeed was very tasty. As a sign of goodwill I was also "treated to" another pint of Boddington’s Ale. It’s not the best draught ale around but it’s marginally better than lager and this one was free!

I have to say I did enjoy the fish and I took the residue of my beer up to the bedroom where I could settle down into the comfort of the comfy armchair and enjoy a bit of TV.

The bedroom was very quiet and I was asleep almost as soon as "my head hit the pillow". It was probably the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a hotel and I was awakened promptly at 7.15 with my early morning call. Suitably refreshed, showered and dressed I headed down to the restaurant to have my breakfast. I wasn’t sure what to expect but the breakfast was excellent. The restaurant is "urban" in appearance and as I was greeted at the door the waitress took my order for tea and toast (coffee if I preferred it) and asked if I wanted a cooked breakfast or just the buffet. It makes no difference to the price (Breakfast is £10 a head) and I opted for a small cooked breakfast (egg, bacon, sausage and beans) preceded by orange juice and cereal. There’s plenty to choose from with probably half-a-dozen cereal, 4 juices, fresh meat, cheese, fruit, croissants, fresh bread to name but a few of the options. A great breakfast to set me up for the rest of the day!

My stay at the Place was generally good (despite the disappointing evening meal) and before I left I booked myself in for the following week at the same price as this one (a bargain I reckon as I have seen rooms here at over £100 for room only).

KRO Piccadilly id one of those large open spaced bar and restaurants that frequent busy town centres. I’ve meandered my way round it on many occasions and it’s never seemed that busy or rushed. There’s a central bar, back lit day and night in a vibrant orange with an almost obsessively neat display of spirits lining the shelf. There are large floor to ceiling windows that give an open view on all four sides of this square restaurant but the best view is, of course over Piccadilly Gardens (not so aptly named as there is more concrete than gardens but the green of the grass does show off this public area very well.

At 7.30 am there’s a steady flow of commuters striding out to work, but I’m sat alone in this cavernous restaurant listening to the national radio that intrudes whether I like it or not. At night people are sat at theses stylish but uncomfortable chairs and tables tapping away on their computers making use of the free wi-fi that is available. I’d popped in the previous evening to check on opening hours and was told that they were open for business at 7.30 am. Not so I’m afraid as although the doors were open I apparently startled the staff who apologetically advised me that they were not open for business. However, they were happy to let me sit down at a table and provide me with a frothy cappuccino whilst I waited for the chef to sort out his preparation. Once the coffee was delivered - that was a five minute job so I wondered how they managed if ever they got busy – I asked if they could take my order for a vegetarian breakfast so that the chef could start on it as soon as he was ready. Not a problem the waitress smiled.

So how to pass the time whilst I waited? Yes you’ve guessed I’ll draft out a journal entry! Looking around this modern restaurant I reckon I detect a Scandinavian feel to the place with sections of wooden cladded walls, cube shaped tables and stools. But the large square pillars sit alongside cylindrical ones give it an industrial feel and the flag stoned floors bring the outside indoors.
Just after 8.00 the waitress delivers my serviette and "eating irons" so I now begin to anticipate my plateful of cooked breakfast - vegetarian sausages, fried free range eggs, baked beans, grilled tomato, hash browns, button mushrooms and toast. I can hear clattering in the kitchen so assume that it’s on the way.

There’s a hive of activity at the front with the waitress tidying the bar and placing condiments on the tables whilst a waiter seemingly nindulges in the mindless task of dragging chairs across the tiled floor from one table to another. Making noise for minimum effect! There are numerous deliveries made and the kitchen is still clattering.

Checking out the menu (what else can a lone diner do) it’s clear that Kro does posh fast food. Steaks, Gammon, basic fried fish and pasta dishes alongside a whole range of salads and open Danish sandwiches. A place to grab a quick meal rather that to spend a quiet evening out. However, judging from the speed it took to prepare breakfast they’ll be nothing quick about a meal out at KRO.

At 8.20 I checked with the waitress on the progress of my meal – she smiled apologetically as it was her who’d promised that it would only take 5 minutes to prepare. Perhaps she meant 5 minutes to eat!!

When it finally arrived I’d finished my coffee and decided that I’d just tuck in. I didn’t reckon I could handle another delay whilst I waited for my drink. The meal was real substantial and with four slices of toast I reckon this was a great start for my day.
Breakfast at KRO was an experience that I won’t rush back to repeat but it does open up an opportunity to write my new IGOUGO journal "Out for Breakfast"

The Café Bar is only a stones throw away from Piccadilly Station and next door (indeed part of) the Abode Hotel. It’s open and serving customers from 7.00am right up to 11.30 pm and although not particularly cheap it offers good quality food.
I’d decided to try out their continental breakfast and at £10.50 a head it is clearly at the top end of the breakfast charges. However, it was convenient and the restaurant itself looked a bit on the smart side.

As I made my way to a table the waitress approached me to advise me that if I wanted a cooked breakfast I should let her know to make the arrangements, but if the continental was my preferred choice I should just help myself to the food on the buffet bar. She took my order for tea or coffee (tea was my choice this morning) and offered me a choice of toast – white, brown or mixed. "Too many choices early in the morning" I commented and although she must have heard that line several time over she made out that it was indeed difficult. I went for the safe option of "mixed".

Having got myself settled at the table with one of the complimentary newspapers that was on the coffee table, I went to the buffet bar. First stop the cereals. There was a good range and having picked one of the less healthy ones (Crunchy nut cornflakes doused in honey) I added a few segment of mandarin oranges. There was a banana and honey smoothie on ice and that looked to be a good alternative to my normal orange juice. I tried a sample - mmm delicious – before topping up my glass and returning to the table, where my tea and toast was awaiting me.

Service was straightforward and unobtrusive and dirty bowls and plates were removed from the table without fuss – usually whilst I made my long walk back to the buffet bar and back. Indeed I couldn’t have sat myself any further away from the source of food!

There was a nice selection of cold meats and cheeses, but as each serving had already been prepared I almost felt greedy in taking more than one portion of each. Not that it stopped me, as three portions of ham didn’t even make up the equivalent of a slice! The cheeses were equally sparingly apportioned, but perhaps that’s what you get when you pay posh prices for a continental breakfast.

I expressed some surprise to the manageress that there were no fresh breads available and although she didn’t disagree she said the decision had been made based upon the health and safety issue relating to easy access to sharp knives. Not that that could be a reason for not having a variety of fresh bread rolls on the counter. Mind you they almost made up for this lapse with a great range of fresh croissants on display. Many reminding me of our extended summer holidays in rural France.

Back at the table I tucked into a variety of confitures (posh name for jams!) before I reached the conclusion that I had already eaten a fair amount.

There was a full selection of fresh fruit, an interesting range of yoghurts and more than enough to choose from in respect of fruit juices. I do think the breakfast was a bit pricey but the quality of the food was superb and the whole ambiance of this City centre restaurant was on the mark. I couldn’t fault the attitude and the attention of the staff group and who knows, for a special treat I might even try their cooked breakfast if I return.

I’d returned to one of my favourite Manchester hotels, The Abode, and as the weather was somewhat unpredictable (it kept threatening rain!) I decided to eat close to the hotel. Indeed I couldn’t get much closer as immediately next door was the Brunswick. This is a traditional City Centre pub that offers "pub grub with a twist" and traditional cask ales brewed by the Thwaites brewery. The great thing about the Brunswick is that it is independently owned and has none of the usual corporate trappings that are associated with a large chain. It does have a sister pub, the Bridge on Deansgate and I must try and check that out some time soon.

What it has is a kind of "homely clutter" that reflects an individual personality on the place although I wasn’t quite sure what one of the proudly emblazoned quotes (next to the fireplace) said of the designer – "A gourmet who thinks of calories is like a tart who looks at her watch." (attributed to James Beard). A less controversial one from the pen of Oscar Wilde claimed that there were "no strangers here only friends you have to meet," and this is certainly a friendly pub.

The broad weathered original floorboards confirm the traditional feel to this establishment and a traditional fireplace and granddaughter clock contrast with some fairly modern sculptured art-work (three dimensional paintings on metal).

There was a good choice of hand pulled beers, alongside the ever-popular lagers, and I started off with a pint of Thwaites "Bomber". I was a wee bit disappointed as this clear ale lacked a bit of body and although it was eminently drinkable it had no real character or depth of taste. I vowed that I’d move onto the more reliable "Old Peculiar" and I have to say that this proved to be a sound decision as this second pint was well-kept and full of flavour and body. It was a perfect accompanying drink for my chosen main course.

There was plenty of choice on the menu and after some "careful consideration" I decided to have a starter of humous served with peppers, and a salad. I was pleasantly surprised when it arrived. There was loads of warm pitta and a "stylish" twist of tomato on the salad and more than enough humous to keep me going. To accompany the humous a finger bowl was delivered to the table – not really necessary but a nice touch and not something you’d expect to get in a pub diner.

The bar staff turned waitresses to both take my order (I was expecting, as is usual with pubs, to have to place my order at the bar) and this made the meal a bit more special. Having said that the first waitress was a little hard to understand due to her limited English but the meal was delivered without any hitches by the more senior of the bar staff and I have an inkling that she was probably the owner of the establishment. She had that air of confidence about her.

I’d opted for a traditional main course of Cumberland sausage on a bed of mashed potatoes with onion gravy. I was a bit concerned that my main course had been deposited "at service" for some time before it was delivered to my table. I needn’t have bothered as it was piping hot when the cheerful waitress brought it too me. Served in a bowl (it seems to be the modern way) the nicely spiced sausages sat on a substantial mound of potato and there was no shortage of gravy. If I’d have flirted with the idea of ordering a dessert those thoughts soon evaporated as I "attacked" this an-sized portion of a main course. My appetite was fully sated as I finished off the last of my ale enjoying the hint of spice that shines through a decent pint of Old Peculiar.

A great meal in "a proper" pub! Well worth trying if you’re in Manchester.

Label Restaurant is at the bottom of Deansgate (nearest to the town centre) in a block of several eateries. During the summer months they have a pavement section for outside dining but tonight was not really warm enough to enjoy al fresco dining. The restaurant was fairly quiet on this Monday night but I assume it comes to life much later on – I was after all dining well before 8.00pm.

Label has all the feel of being a trendy boutique style restaurant and if my suspicions are correct I reckon that I would have been a little out of place when the Manchester socialites hit town. However, for early dining I wouldn’t complain too much. The seating is comfortable and I’d sat on a "raised dais" to the side of the restaurant and partially screened off from the main body of the main dining area and bar.

The bar was amazingly tidy with not a single bottle out of line and frequent and subtle changes of lighting behind the bar created an interesting focal point. After a time, however, it became quite a distraction and I began to wonder if other lights were changing in intensity. Certainly the large and impressive modern chandeliers with its moon-like globes seemed to be intermittently shining brighter.

I hardly got myself settled before the waiter asked me what drink I would like – the choice wasn’t too inspiring for me as they only served lagers and one eastern European beer. I opted for the latter although in real terms this is a lager by any other name! I was promptly delivered to my table in one of those "flower vase" glasses – a total anathema for a real ale fan. I dug deep past my prejudices and supped. Yes, it was indeed a lager with nothing other than a cool thirst quenching quality to commend it. I’d have been better with tap water! But that’s the downside of trendy bars and restaurants!

The menu wasn’t huge, nor was it particularly inspiring and so in the end I opted for the good old fail-safe of rib eye steak. I’ve never gone too far wrong with that I hoped that tonight wasn’t going to be an exception. The menu stated that the steak was "grilled to your liking and served with chunky chips, onion rings, mushrooms and grilled vine tomatoes" and I was fairly sure that this meant that it would be a fairly "posey" meal. I was not proved wrong as the chunky chips were piled high like bricks in a game of jenko and to underline that the tomatoes came complete with the vine. The rib eye had been removed and the steak served as two separate pieces of meat. Overall it was tasty but whereas one steak was medium rare "to perfection" the other one was almost rare. I did think of complaining but the absence of a waiter mitigated against that, so I carried on regardless

I’d earlier decided that I would also have a pudding – it was after all one of my favourites, Rhubarb Crumble. The waiter indicated that this was "delicious" and swaggered off to place the order, returning only a few moments later to tell me that the chef had been unable to purchase rhubarb at the market earlier that day. Sensing my obvious disappointment he reassured me that the apple and caramel crumble was also very tasty. I was in a "crumble frame of mind" so I had no real hesitation in confirming my agreement to this change to the menu.

I sat back to enjoy (I really mean finish my beer) and then awaited my dessert. It was a good bowl full of pud with perhaps an under-serving of custard in a tiny jug, but it was real hot. Despite my intention to request some more custard I once again noted the absence of the front of house staff at the critical time so had to make do.

Overall, despite its promise Label will not be marked down as the high spot for dining out in Manchester. Yes, it was adequate, freshly cooked and piping hot, but it really lacked that added zest. I won’t be returning, nor could I offer it as a recommended eatery. If you stumble across it perhaps I’d suggest you walk a bit further and try somewhere else. There are, after all, plenty of places around!