In short; she's an absolute stunner.  From outside The Pearl's kerb appeal is huge and the venue sits in a prominent corner unit with decorative woodwork that's been painted with an eye-catching blue tone, hued with metallic lettering. 

Once inside, you couldn’t feel more at home.  It's as if somebody physically picked up a little bistro in Le Marais in Paris, and plonked it in the middle of Prestwich without changing anything at all.

Seriously pretty.

Perhaps a little snug for some, as much as for me that’s part of the charm.

Pricing is mid-range.  Our Sunday lunch was priced at £37 for 2 courses, or £45 if you want all 3.  Which of course, you do.  Well-crafted cocktails sit at around the £13 mark, and the wine list is solid too with the entry bottle landing at £32, in the form of a vibrant Domaine de Papolle Cotes de Gascogne Blanc, which costs about £12 on the high street at retail.  So, a reasonable markup.  If you want to delve a bit deeper into the metaphorical cellars there's also good value to be had via the Phelan Farm Scythians for £90.  This one retails at £60, so the more you spend, the better the value.   That’s always my reasoning.

It's upper mid-range, but you pay for quality.

Usually we stay at home for Sunday roasts as we are a dab hand at them to be modestly honest.  Plus most restaurant roasts are usually banged out by places whose product has nothing to do with that kind of food.  It's just something which venues provide on a Sunday because that's what customers largely want.  But that doesn’t mean that everywhere should try and fit that requirement.  Fortunately, roasted meat and quality veggies are right up The Pearl's street. 

Our table started with a cross section of the starter options, which far exceeded what you'd usually expect from a Sunday lunch.  The Pearl's top class larder was in evidence via Loch Duart Smoked Salmon, which had been cured in Prestwich Gin and topped with dill; aka Gravlax as the Scandis call it.  A pop of Exmoor Caviar on garnish was another example of The Pearl's use of top-quality wares. 

Next starter on the table was Pressing of Mallard; a terrine containing hefty chunks of delectably cooked mallard, bound with pate, side kicked with a hearty slab of buttery toasted brioche and a vibrant, superbly acid-balanced chutney. 

After a couple of solid starters, the barometer was set high so we were ready to go with the main event, and it wasn’t long before a wave of dishes started to appear on the table.  First it was a bowl of perfectly crispy roasted potatoes, then a vessel of cauli cheese; an item which is all too often neglected in roasts, and the obligatory gravy.

But great quality proteins are the backbone of any also great roast dinner, and that's the story here.  Littlewoods in Stockport, as per at most of Manchester's best dining spots, supply the goodies and they do not let you down one iota.  Our beef roast was top notch in terms of quality, and also the level of cooking.  More specifically it was British Grass Fed Rump Cap, served with a textbook Yorkshire.  We also ordered the Packington Free Range Pork Loin, but sadly we have no photo of that.  Somebody (me) must have got all caught up in the excitement but rest assured it was equally as well delivered as the bovine course.

And a worthy note; aside from the regular wine list, there's also a 'secret' (clearly not) little red book containing some diamonds for those who fancy a treat.  We turned the page and saw a Chateau Musar with a nice amount of age on it, sitting pretty at £170.  We calmly closed said book in acceptance that we are yet to reach that level of sophistication.

Next up was puddings, and as per previous ones, a certain amount of elevated technique was on display here too, so much so that we decided to order all 3 on the menu, plus the daily special which on this occasion was a tarte tatin.    Said tarte was an apple one.  Soft, slowly baked apples, in a lovely pastry bottom.  Or is it the top? I can never decide.  Either way it was delicious, and a handsome ball of accompanying clotted cream completed the plate.

Baked Alaska matched the weather outside, sporting some SK14 Rhubarb as the main flavour profile, along with an ice cream filling.   The whole thing is then covered in textured meringue piping and then blowtorched to bring that trademark mottled pattern. As pretty as it was tasty.  

Faith's Trifle was a wonderful plate of nostalgia, and probably the table favourite.  The serving vessel was particularly apt too.  A superbly rich set custard, topped with a Vimto jelly, glace cherries and cream for more seasonal nods.  Childhood memories unlocked, but better.  Sorry Mum.  

Chocolate Tart was another true crowd pleaser and brought a smile to the whole table as it was revealed.   A superbly short and buttery base, crammed with 60% Macondo chocolate filling, served with a mince pie infused ice cream. Simple, stripped back and confident pastry.

That’s about it.

But; the massive sprig of dill on the salmon starter did the presentation no favours, the terrine's toast was perhaps a touch over-grilled, and the Tatin needed more caramel.  

Front of house is handled by the diamond who is Sam Terris-Taylor; one of the few people I know who makes me feel short.  I now understand how people of an average height see the world, and it's bad for the ego when you suddenly no longer feel tall.  Luckily, The Pearl's service is not bad for the ego, and you immediately feel as if you've been welcomed into somebody's home with open arms. 

Nothing comes to mind on this occasion.

Prestwich has in recent years become a bit of a Manchester 'burb hotspot for quality food options, and The Pearl is without question the jewel, or pearl, in Prestwich's food crown.

The man behind the pass/cooking the goodies is Iain Thomas, formerly of The Alan and The Edinburgh Castle, both in the city centre.  Anyone who's familiar with his work at these venues will tell you that Iain can absolutely cook, very well indeed.  And to this day, we still love to remind him that the very first article in any food media which bigged him up, was done by us, long before Jay Rayner jumped on the bandwagon and gave him praise, at which point everyone else in the local food media did too.  But keeping my ego in check here; we are long term fans of Iain and his style of produce driven, flavour forward, classically led cooking is exactly our bag, and lent itself well to our Sunday Roast.

The guys were recently included in The Good Food Guide's UK Top 100, and it’s an absolute crime that Michelin are yet to include them in their guide with an Assiette listing, as the standards on display very much warrant it.

So if you want a top quality destination offering great service and some of Manchester's best cooking, set away from the city centre hustle, then you'll very much find what you're looking for at The Pearl.  So get yourself booked in for either the Sunday Roast or their other menus, as soon as you've finished reading this review.  It's a genuine treasure.