HIS & HERS OWE PAUL NEWMAN A SHOWER OF THANKS, FOR LETTING US KNOW ABOUT THE NEWLY LAUNCHED RE-DESIGNED STANNEYLANDS.
Words: Jean Hill
It is a hotel, with bars, a dining room and the Tap & Pantry where we were lucky enough to be invited for lunch. DV8 Designs, whose work we had admired at the Northern Design Awards has excelled. It is probably the attention to detail that impresses most. The upholstery looks customised. Each space has a different colour tone: a tartan theme in one room. The Tap & Pantry is full of light in grey/blue tones, with woodland views. Charlotte welcomed us with genuine charm. Lunchtime is busy, yet the service is excellent and relaxed. Even the staff seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
It is a menu that offers wide choice: fish or fowl, beef or vegetarian. A classic prawn cocktail was exactly that; vintage flavour. It blended a smooth, slightly salty Marie Rose sauce that worked beautifully with the bite and lemony tang of the prawns. The wild mushrooms starter, with poached egg and Hollandaise sauce provided a satisfyingly ‘meaty’ rich taste. Mains followed on fast. Niçoise salad came with thick flakes of tuna, salty slivers of anchovy and a zingy dressing. My colleague’s only complaint about the glazed crispy beef, was that she would have liked more of it. But then there would have been no room for dessert. She chose a posset which married the cool sharpness of lemon with the succulent ripe taste of raspberries. At this point I lost my head. The Eton Mess trifle arrived with crushed home-made meringue, with that burnished sheen, and strawberries with clotted cream. Divine. There are walks in the woodlands surrounding the hotel. Wilmslow looks like a beautiful place. This hotel is close enough to Manchester Airport to be a place to relax overnight before a flight. It comes highly recommended. It will put a smile on your face.
Phone: 01625 525225
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