GETAWAYS • Manchester
At Skof, a year-old restaurant in Manchester, chef Tom Barnes has created a buzzy experience showcasing an impressive high-end tasting menu, accompanied by local beer and an indie rock soundtrack. Located in the Northern city’s NOMA neighbourhood, it’s an easy tram ride from Piccadilly Station but requires some advanced planning to book a table. Inside, the restaurant embraces a comfortable, relaxed vibe that emphasises quality and service.
I opted for the longer tasting, which spans 16 dishes. It began with snack after snack appearing in rapid fire. The langoustine draped over grilled bread was the highlight, but the meal really picked up with the arrival of miso custard topped with mushrooms, dashi and truffle. Throughout, dishes highlighted seasonal ingredients, as in Jersey Royal potatoes with cuttlefish and XO sauce, and morel mushrooms paired with confit chicken wings. One of the desserts elegantly showcased British strawberries alongside jasmine cream and almond crunch, while Manchester honey made an appearance in another. The meal concluded with a show-stopping tiramisu, scooped generously from the dish at the table.
Skof is an exciting addition to Manchester, a city with multiple new restaurants and hotels opening in recent months, as well as a long-awaited Soho House coming this autumn. It’s near the new Treehouse Hotel Manchester and a quick walk from beloved cocktail spot Schofield’s Bar, which is ideal for a pre- or post-dinner drink. Go for the night or make a weekend out of it, especially if you can score tickets to a football match. –Emily Zemler
→ SKOF (Manchester) • 3 Federation St • Wed 630-8p, Thu-Sat 12-130p & 630-8p • Book.