Hilton Manchester Deansgate’s smart Champagne and cocktail bar is on the 23rd floor of the landmark Beetham Tower and accessed by lift from the lobby of the hotel.
We were invited to the exclusive Eros Lounge to review the seven-course taster menu, which is only available on selected dates. I believe we were invited on one of the best nights of the year, because we could see fireworks lighting up the sky, which made for a fabulous backdrop.
After a warm welcome and our first glass of Champagne, we were shown to our table for a delicious seven-course meal, curated and served by two AA Rosette- awarded Executive Head Chef Dave Ashton and the team.
The taster menu is £95 per person and available for groups of two to four, with limited availability of just 24 settings. Wine pairings are also available for an extra £55 per person.
TASTER MENU
Herdwick lamb tartare, lamb fat English muffin, pickled turnip, razor clam & scallop, pickled lemon. Oxtail consommé, rosemary oil
Smoked cods’ roe
Chicken jelly, parsley emulsion. Wine pairing: Borgoleo Catarratto, Leonardo Zito, Sicily 2022
Holygrain sourdough
Lancashire cheese custard, miso butter
Hen of the woods
Mushroom caramel, furikaki. Wine pairing: Sebestyen Kadarka, Hungary 2019
BBQ monkfish
Iceberg lettuce, fermented onion. Wine pairing: Nikolou Fine Lees Savatiano, Greece 2020
Fillet of Cumbrian beef
Celeriac watercress. Wine pairing: Ribera del Duero Reserva, Clea 2018
Valhrona carmelia chocolate
Thyme caramel, hazelnut, Greek yoghurt Pairing: mixologist choice of digestive
You can find the dates on the website and each set of dates will feature a brand-new menu, to ensure that it’s a new experience every time. And believe me, once you’ve been, you’ll soon be finding a special occasion to return.
I must admit, when we looked at the menu, we didn’t know what to expect, because of the culinary creative names, and did wonder how we were going to get through seven courses. However, each course was delicious, cooked to perfection and with amazing presentation. And there was also a couple of extra courses that weren’t on the menu and they were just as tasty. All courses were served and explained by Dave Ashton himself, which was a special touch, and the wine pairings served by the very knowledgeable sommelier.
A special 5* evening, which I would definitely recommend for a special night out.
Kitchen @ Cloud 23
303 Deansgate
Manchester
