[The Sausage]

Howdy Y'all,
I'm off to a gig at Manchester academy next Saturday, and wondered about somwehere good to eat beforehand. Probably after "curry" based - south indian/sri lankan preferably, but any decent curry/thai. Not really interested in Noodle Bar style places mind. Alternatively, a good real ale pub with decent bar meals would suffice. However, open minded to any good suggestions/insider knowledge - doesn't have to be too close to the academy, but on east/south side of Manchester for sure.
Cheers, joe

[tomtom]

I'm not that clued up about central Manc, - but Croma (Italian/pizza - I know its not indian/thai - soz) are classy and not too badly priced. Also they dont take bookings - so ideal for early pre-gig/show grub..

[namnok]

katmandu (think it was bangladeshi) in didsbury is a fave haunt of the gowan road posse, been a couple times myself and its good

rusholme is still a viable option, tho its a tad commercialized heading into town but further end is the better i say with a few good sheesha bars, there is a pub right in the middle that i'be not been in but seems popular. not too far/walking distance from academy

[tomtom]

Had one sketchy meal and a 1 hour wait another time at the Khatmandu I'm sorry to say... they dont seem to have coped with their expansion too well..

(sorry, not meaning to hijack thread - I'll shut up now )

[JamieG]

http://www.eastzeast.com/manchester-ibis.asp?i=location

This is a really tasty curry house. Between Piccadilly station and oxford road. Would be my top curry recommendation near the centre of manchester.

[mrjonathanr]

Knowing how unhygienic some Rusholme curry houses are I avoid the place. Trof in town is nice and unpretentious, as are odder et al.

[petejh]

El Rincon, really good tapas bar, it's down a little backstreet in Deansgate.

[mrjonathanr]

A great shout petejh but it's booked at busy times...up to 3 weeks in advance. I know this after failing to eat there not long since. It is however fantastic- the only thing which isn't truly Spanish are the customers. I'd ring up first though.

[Zods Beard]

Had one sketchy meal and a 1 hour wait another time at the Khatmandu I'm sorry to say... they dont seem to have coped with their expansion too well..

(sorry, not meaning to hijack thread - I'll shut up now )

Easy there chief, careful with the Khatmandu criticism, IMO it's the best I've been too.

In regards to the original query, I'd avoid Rusholme like the plague. Turkish Delight in Chorlton is very good with lots of other places nearby including the prev mentioned Croma. JamieG's suggestion was also very good.

[hairich]

el rincon is amazing

[tomtom]

Had one sketchy meal and a 1 hour wait another time at the Khatmandu I'm sorry to say... they dont seem to have coped with their expansion too well..

(sorry, not meaning to hijack thread - I'll shut up now )

Easy there chief, careful with the Khatmandu criticism, IMO it's the best I've been too.

Fair enough.. however, the best takeaway curry I've had anywhere (in the UK) is from about 100m up the road at Shahirs...

[Eddies]

http://www.chaophraya.co.uk/

Its amazing, my fav restaurant.

[slackline]

I've enjoyed eating at Siam Orchid which is pretty central in Manchester.

In Rusholme my favourite place is the , they do lovely dosas.

[Jaspersharpe]

We had a really nice meal at the Pacific on George St in Chinatown on Saturday night. Can't vouch for it but they have a Thai restaurant downstairs and if it's as good as the Chinese upstairs then it will be worth a look.

[namnok]

Knowing how unhygienic some Rusholme curry houses are I avoid the place.

We had a really nice meal at the Pacific on George St in Chinatown on Saturday night. Can't vouch for it but they have a Thai restaurant downstairs and if it's as good as the Chinese upstairs then it will be worth a look.

same goes for chinatown if that's the case

[Falling Down]

Don't go to Sweet Mandarin (Gordon Ramsay fWord endorsed) Chinese in the Northern Quarter. Mrs FD and I went last Thursday and it was overpriced (70 quid for two portions of ribs, two main courses plus rice and noodles, 4 (small bottles of) Tsing Tao 2 glasses of wine) and the food mediocre at best.  Avoid....

Pacific on the other hand is great.

[namnok]

red chilli on portland street opposite the natwest does spicy beijing influenced dishes
we used to go often but its now too popular with the mainland chinese student and ends up like a cafe rather than a nice restaurant atmosphere.
once again if hygiene's an issue, dont bother

[clm]

katmandhu over rusholme anytime. Best curry ive had in manchester.
Aladdins opposite christie hospital is a winner. Syrian place so very kebabby.
Crazy wendys on burton road - average thai but a crazy host who will sing karaoke elvis in your face as you eat.
Britains protection is a great pub with good food but not sure if its just lunch.
El rincon wins but you wont get in.
Shame you dont do noodles. I really like umami and its near the gig - good sushi too.
Both chop houses in town have good menus. You wont be able to jump round after though. Whats the gig?

[Jim]

used to love going to crazy wendys but we stopped going because the food was shite

[The Sausage]

Thanks All,
reckon we'll go with Mr Jonathanarthur's suggestions - Trof or Odder et al... we just don't get those sort of places in Shef (Well there's Thyme Cafe, but it's pretty pricey for what it is).

Gig is Caitlin Rose - seems a bit like dippy country on first listening, but she's ace. There'll be more singing along than jumping around. It's not Plastikman, but at least I'll be able to sleep/eat/keep face still afterwards...

[Jim]

http://www.chaophraya.co.uk/

Its amazing, my fav restaurant.

went here last night with the wife as a bit of a celebration.
Food was really good but wasn't cheap

[andy popp]

Gig is Caitlin Rose - seems a bit like dippy country on first listening, but she's ace.

Saw her at a festival last year, she did a great set.

Don't know anything about eating in Manchester.

[Wipey Why]

The majority of the suggestions above are a good choice.

Khatmandu is generally good, but their service can be very bad.

If you like Chinese try the Little Yang Sing.

Red Chilli is good if you like spicy.

East Z East is good but pricey.

"The choice is yours..."

[Paul B]

is there anything great near the Lowry?

[Zods Beard]

The Lowry is a bit far out of town, Chorlton which I mentioned earlier is 15-20 mins away or you'd be looking at the West side of town, this place is good.

http://www.theox.co.uk/

Just near the Hilton tower, 10 mins? away.

[namnok]

is there anything great near the Lowry?

cant say great but there are a few restaurants opposite lowry ajoining the outlet mall. iirc pizza express, lime, a chinese. and a lame fast food court inside the outlet mall

a pub (cant remember chain, poss henry bods) a short walk away

there is a bar grill type, a chiquitos and a closed down fatty arbucks off trafford road

[Paul B]

I was hoping for something a little less generic

[tomtom]

I was hoping for something a little less generic

Its all a little formulaic around by the Lowry (its all new...)

[Zods Beard]

Less generic than the Ox?! Aren't most restaurants generic anyway? They serve some food, you pay for it.

If your going Saturday United are playing so it'll be traffic hell round the Lowry 2-3 hours before and after the match.

[Paul B]

Its some comedy thing next month some time.

[Jaspersharpe]

If your going Saturday United are playing so it'll be traffic hell round the Lowry 2-3 hours before and after the match.

And all the hotels will be booked up because most of the 70,000 "fans" at Old Trafford don't want to have to drive back to Surrey the same day.