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Grado
Manchester Tapas Restaurant - reader comments
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| "I
have been to Grado several times and always been very happy.
Last Saturday we took my son and his girlfriend for a special
evening. The place was far too crowded. It looked like they
had overbooked Christmas parties. Hence it was very loud in
there. There were party hats on the floor, which the waiters
kept kicking around (eventually after over an hour someone
picked them up). We stood at the bar initially (I felt sorry
for the people eating at the bar as they couldn't move) and
then were shown to the table. The waitress came quite quick
and we asked for a couple of minutes more. 20 mins later I
stopped someone, as we didnt have a drink, let alone an order
taken. The original waitress came back about 35 mins later
and asked if she could take the order! Next they were trying
to lift tables above people heads - not a good idea for health
and safety and not what I expect in this type of restaurant.
The food was OK when it did arrive and, as always, the wine
was great (really nice choice). It would not put me off going
again - I just would not go at Christmas time as it felt like
they had extra (untrained) staff. Shame really as it was one
of my favourite places to go before."
- tony, manchester - member since may'08 (11/12/09 visited
on a Friday evening). |
|
| "Although
Grado is an attractive restaurant and the foods
tasted good, I felt ripped off and embarrassed by the
portion sizes of the Trato menu. The main is billed as a main
but there is no way it could be considered one. I had 2 clams,
a 2 inch square piece of pork belly and some garnish. I had
to apologise to my guests. For this reason I would not recommend
Grado. The tapas was cute but 3 tiny pieces between a couple
is thoughtless. The menu was a laminated sheet of plain white
paper. The Trato menu had a distinctly cheap feel to it, which
is a real shame."
- stacey, manchester - NEW MEMBER (2/10/09 visited on a
Thursday evening). |
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| "This
is the second time that I have eaten at Grado within about
eighteen months. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal - the
food isnt cheap but I felt both times that I got a good
quality meal which was nicely presented and really,
really tasty! If I had one tiny criticism it would be
that the portions should either be a tiny bit larger...or
the prices a tiny bit less. But having said that, I happily
paid the bill and felt I'd had a good meal. The staff were
polite, and very apologetic that one of the side orders
was not available. Even though the restaurant was clearly
very busy, I did not feel that we were forgotten about at
any point. I will definitely return, and I will definitely
recommend Grado."
- R Nelson, Manchester - NEW MEMBER (14/9/09 visited on
a Friday evening). |
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| "My
wife and I were tempted by the special offer Especial Trato
menu to share with 2 glasses of wine for £29 per couple,
advertised at all times except Saturday evening. I asked about
the menu as it was our first visit. This was explained and
we were shown to a table. The food was very good, but
the portions small. When I received the bill it was twice
as much as advertised! I questioned this and was told that
we had had an offer that didn't apply at 17:30. I would still
go back because the food was good and I don't mind paying
when the price is up front. I just feel like I've been had
when £29 turned out to be £54."
- John Lyon, Stockport - NEW MEMBER (10/9/09 visited on
a Thursday evening). Grado have since offered
the customer a refund as it was a mistake from a member of
staff. The offer is available at all times Monday-Friday &
Saturday lunch. |
|
| "Having
visited Grado for a celebration lunch for my daughter's birthday,
they were very accomodating as we had two babies with
us (one 6 months old and the other 6 weeks). There was no
nonsense about the pram, the food was really good and
the waiter and waitress were both very attentive, explaining
a few of the things on the menu which we were not to sure
about. We took a few photos, as it was a celebration, and
both waiting staff (Max and Kirsty) wished my daughter a happy
birthday. She also got a lovely sorbet with 'Happy Bithday'
piped in chocolate around the edge of the dish, which she
was really chuffed with. Overall a lovely experience
and we will definitely go back."
- susan wardley, manchester - member since mar'09 (8/8/09
visited on a saturday lunch) |
|
| "We
had an excellent meal at Grado's. This was the second
time I've been - I deliberately went back - but it was a first
for my friend, who is now also keen to return. Our waitress
was attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes and service
was good. Our only disappointment was that we were too
full for a dessert."
- Colette Pennington, Guernsey - NEW MEMBER (26/7/09 visited
on a saturday evening) |
|
| "Four
of us visited Grado and we were all very impressed
with the whole evening. Our food was superb and well
portioned. The waitress (Victoria) was excellent with
a good knowledge of the dishes. We eat out on a regular
basis and would say that the standard offered at Grado is
one of the best we've experienced for a long time and probably
the best meal we've had in Manchester, safe to say we'll
be going back again."
- simon nicholls, heywood - NEW MEMBER (19/7/09 visited
on a saturday evening) |
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"Grado
is a great venue for a business lunch. The set lunch
was good value at £13.50 and suited all of our
party of 5. The tapas starter was good, if not inspirational,
and the main course of chicken, with belly pork and black
pudding was excellent. One of my invited guests
was Spanish and she gave the restaurant a big thumbs up.
Good quality, authentic Spanish cuisine."
- ian, stockton heath - TRUSTED REVIEWER (8/6/09 visited
on a monday lunch) |
|
| "Great
food, really friendly helpful staff but maybe a little
overpriced."
- donna, manchester - member since may'09 (18/5/09 visited
on a friday evening) |
|
| "We
took friends who were visiting from out of town to Grado.
We all ordered a starter which we thought we could share,
the plates that the serving appeared on were enormous so there
was no room on the table to share, could have been smaller
plates. The paella arrived and there was enough for everyone
four times over. It needs to define on the menu what size
each dish is."
- sue chapman, manchester 21/1/09 (visited on a saturday evening) |
|
| "Terribly
overpriced for the size of portions."
- anthony billington, stoke on trent 5/1/09 (visited on a
saturday evening) |
|
| "Over
priced for what you ordered. Small portion sizes."
- adam, cairo 24/12/08 (visited on a monday evening) |
|
| "Food
was tasty but extremely small portions for the money."
- anne williams, manchester 23/12/08 (visited on a saturday
evening) |
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| "The
choice of dishes for tapas was limited. Also we purchased
nine tapas dishes for three of us and we were left feeling
quite hungry afterwards. The portions were far too meagre.
The tortilla was more of an omelette (no potatoes), the asparagus
consisted of three stalks, there were dishes with fried eggs
and the quail was a little dry. Possibly the non-tapas menu
may be more successful but we chose tapas because the restaurant
markets itself as a tapas restaurant."
- rachel warner, liverpool 14/12/08 (visited on a saturday
evening) |
|
| "Very
expensive for the tiny portions we got. We ordered
meatballs from the tapas and got 3 tiny ones, an average portion
of chips, and garlic toast, which never arrived, despite reminding
them twice. I ordered lamb, of which two pieces were nice
but the other was raw and had to be sent back. The lamb was
served with a miniscule portion of mash. Not at all impressed."
- jane, preston 26/11/08 (visited on a saturday evening) |
|
| "Pink
calves liver ordered but not received. Medium steak ordered,
medium rare received, and very fatty - and we were not asked
for our comments."
- sue jay, lichfield, staffordshire 12/11/08 (visited on a
tues evening) |
|
| "The
service was great, the staff were friendly,
everything was clean and very smart decor. The big
letdown, after going here on a recommendation, was the food.
Yes, it was fresh and, yes, the steak was cooked medium as
I like, but it all just lacked flavour and presentation,
there was just no flavour to the sauce and the chips were
served in a cone!?! The starter of clams was the same, no
flavour and the smallest clams I have ever seen. You would
expect the food to reflect the price, nobody minds paying
for quality, however my particular dish was five times as
expensive as it was flavoursome."
- phil powell, manchester 11/11/08 (visited on a tuesday evening) |
|
| "Fantastic,
have eaten in most of Paul Heathcotes restaurants and this
is by far the best, excellent cooking and service."
- steve, preston 2/11/08 (visited on a sat evening) |
|
| "Surprised
by the previous comments left, as we found the experience
second to none & would recommend to anybody. We
started with a few tapas at the bar & the wife tried a
few cocktails recommended expertly & created by the engaging
barman. The main meal couldnt be faulted & although
the main meals are on the expensive side, you can't
complain about the quality of the food. I sampled some
of the antique sherries available before we polished of the
meal in style with the delicious Crema Catalania. This
is something very different and well worth a visit."
- stephen harrison, ashton-under-lyne 2/10/08 (visited on
a sat evening) |
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"My
second visit to this restaurant reinforced my view that this
is one of the best restaurants in Manchester, as the
Restaurants Of Manchester Top 10 states. Apart from having
a great design, it's also one of the best run. Marco,
the manager, is really on top of his game and he's got a friendly
team supporting him. Our waiter, Thomas, was clearly learning
the trade but was charming and efficient. The rustic
Spanish cuisine may not suit everybody but for me it works
well. My starter of Baked Duck Egg with Truffle Sauce and
Chorizo was excellent - great presentation and full of
flavour. My main course: Bomba Baked Rice with chicken
and ham was very tasty but a full paella dish full was a bit
of a challenge! I passed on the desserts but the Chocolate
Bombe just has to be seen - this is a real showstopper. I
won't give the game away but all I'll say is try it. You won't
be disappointed. So, all in all, a very nice meal, accompanied
by good wines, beers and sherries. We were there on a
Sunday night but even though the place was fairly quiet it
was really lively because one of the off duty waitresses
along with a guitarist gave us a very pleasant session of
Spanish songs."
- ian, stockton heath 14/7/08 (visited on a sunday evening) |
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"An
enjoyable restaurant - stylish without being pretentious.
Not a great fan of tapas - small portions, big cost normally
- however the set up at Grado is good as you can sit around
the bar. On my second visit I tried the a la carte menu in
the restaurant, opting for the Steak. Was impressed with
decor, service and quality of the food. Would certainly
return."
- rob, manchester 28/3/08 (visited on a friday evening) |
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"What
can I say? After 4 visits, Grado has to be one of my favourite
restaurant and bars. The staff are always amazing, friendly
and really know their stuff! The food is really spot
on, I had a number of lovely tapas including Morcilla
with Fried Duck Egg and Ximines vinegar, Clams with Sherry,
Jamon Serano ham, and Mushroom Croquetas in Romanesco sauce.
The tapas is cooked in front of you (if you sit at the bar)
where you can relax and watch the masters at work with a special
Grado Sangria or the brilliant sherries, which we got 5 for
£15 with our voucher. Superb!"
- nick, stockport 10/3/08 (visited on a sunday evening) |
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"I
tried the Tapas menu at Grado at lunchtime, choosing to sit
at the open bar rather than the stunning restaurant.
Very impressed - the Platter of Jamon Serrano (£7.50),
cured pork cut straight from the pig's leg on display on the
bar, was beautiful. The Mushroom Croquetas (£3)
were delicious as were the Clams in Sherry, which,
if anything, were slightly overpriced at £6. Had
I not been on lunch break I may have well been tempted to
go for the 5 sherries for £15 offer. I'll certainly be
returning to try the main a la carte menu and the sherries
when I have a little more time to enjoy the experience!"
- matthew, manchester 10/2/08 (visited on a friday lunch) |
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"We visited
Grado on the launch day and were lucky enough to meet Paul
Heathcote in person. He's a really genuine guy who's love
for food is apparent and has obviously made him one of the
most celebrated chefs around. As a big fan of his, and many
of his 15 restaurants in the North West, we were excited
about the opening of Grado.
Having already
ventured away from his signature Lancashire dishes to be
found at his Longridge and Simply Heathcote restaurants,
with the Italian Olive Press chain, it was interesting to
hear of his plans to offer tapas and Spanish cuisine with
Grado. From our first visit we can confirm it was a journey
we're glad he has taken.
The building,
part of Bruntwood's revamping of Piccadilly Gardens on York
Street, aptly renamed New York Street, is very impressive
to say the least. Paul Heathcote explained to us how its
back street location was a lot more appealing than Spinningfields
with it's many 'out-of-towner' chains, which, so far at
least, look to be struggling. Looking at the number of tables
that were full, even at this early stage, his local knowledge
has proven to be a good judgement. The huge quality wine
collection that greets you at the door hints at what you're
about to recieve. The decor is plush, a nice array of orange
and brown and a welcoming layout that allows you to choose
the less formal tapas bar, complete with its Teppanyaki-style
kitchen, or a more formal a la carte sit down meal.
We opted for
the impressive tapas, the Mushroom Croquetas (£3),
Octopus with Lemon Oil (£5.50) and Pinchitos Morunos
(£5) all being highlights worth returning for alone,
whilst the Mixed Platter of Ham with Chorizo & Lomo
(£11.50) was very tasty but expensive. The 100 bin
wine list (16 available by the glass) is impressive but
a special mention has to go to the Sherries. The La Gitana
Manzanilla was gorgeously crisp (£18.50 a bottle) whilst
the Manzanilla Pasada was delightful and certainly worth
adding to any order. (£28 a bottle). Having had Rice
Pudding in the amazing French Restaurant at the Midland
Hotel the night before, I opted to try Grado's Rice Pudding
with Figs & Honey (£5.50). It was equally as impressive
and highly recommended.
The service was
very friendly, helped of course by the presence of Mr Heathcote
who unfortunately doesn't spend much time personally in
the kitchen these days, and the atmosphere was welcoming.
In a city with plenty of Tapas restaurants on offer, including
the excellent Che just around the corner and the first ever
La Tasca and La Vina's across town, Grado is likely to stand
out from the competition and be a big success. We will be
certainly be returning soon!"
- restaurants of manchester 10/12/07 (visited on a thursday
lunch) |
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