I was brought up in Rochdale, and I love going into Manchester with my friends venturing around shops and looking at buildings in the busy atmosphere. However, it has only been recently that I’ve appreciated Manchester for the architecturally beautiful city it is.

The building that really inspired me is the Palace Hotel on Oxford Street. Apparently, it was only converted to a hotel in 1996, and it was originally built for the Refuge Assurance Company. I have seen the interiror but only on a television programme not so long ago. But it is lovely and made up of tiles and arches and just stunning architecture. It is also one of the prime examples of why Manchester is known for it’s red brick buildings.




As well as the older architecture there are some really good examples of modern architecture in Manchester. Most notably the new Hilton Hotel building and the Urbis.

10 of the best high-end restaurants

Restaurant Guy Savoy

The most fundamentally French restaurant in town, Guy Savoy's food is rarely less than perfect. His wine list is probably the city's best, both in breadth and depth, and it's filled with trophy bottles from Savoy's cellar in Paris, as well as a large selection of reasonably priced new-world producers. No matter what you choose, you can depend on Savoy's food being spot-on renditions of the dishes that earned his restaurant three Michelin stars in Paris (it has two here), such as oysters en gelee (fresh kumamotos atop oyster cream topped with oyster jelly) and poulet en cocotte, the creamiest, whitest veal on the planet. Savoy features no beef in his Parisian original, but he's proud of his tournedos, as well as the American veal proudly plated and served by the top-notch staff.
• In Caesar's Palace Hotel, 3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South, +1 702 731 7286, caesarspalace.com, mains $80-$175, 10-course tasting menu $298. Open Tue-Fri 12 noon-10.30pm, Sat 7.30pm-10.30pm, closed Sun-Mon

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Bar Masa

his is only place to go in Las Vegas for sushi and sashimi – when someone else is paying. The quality of the raw ingredients (most flown in from Japan) is an immediate education in the subtleties that comprise a superior Japanese dining experience. The size of your pocket, and your sensibilities, will determine whether you think paying $15 apiece for toro, or $10 apiece for akamutsu (deep-sea snapper), or $34 for a kegani hairy-crab salad is worth it. Ignore the gymnasium feel of the place and be dazzled by the dancing shrimp, whitefish sampling platter, yari ika (squid) or the kanpachi with jalapeño sotomaki – each one more ethereal than the last.
• In the Aria Hotel, 3730 Las Vegas Boulevard South, +1 702 590 8580, arialasvegas.com, average mains $26-$38, sushi from $6 per piece, early-evening set menu $49. Open Wed-Sun 5pm-11pm, closed Mon-Tues

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Cut

Is this the best steakhouse in Vegas? It certainly serves up the most inventive non-steak dishes. Everything from the pristine oxtail broth to the bone-marrow flan to the hot potato knishes to the lamb chops with a mint-cucumber raita to the thyme-lavender roasted duck to the classic Dover sole are the equal of the prime grass- and corn-fed beef on offer. In fact, some tables skip the steaks entirely and make a meal from the stunning small plates, appetizers and sides. The wine list, under sommelier Lindsey Whipple, has vastly improved in the past two years, both in selection and price.
• In the Palazzo Hotel, 3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South, +1 702 607 6300, palazzo.com,starters from $17, steaks from $51 without side orders. Open daily 5.30-10pm (11pm Fri and Sat)

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Carnevino

While CUT may be the best overall steakhouse in town, Carnevino probably has the best steaks in the country. Chef Mario Batali and his business partner Joe Bastianich have created an ageing programme for their beef like no other, featuring hand-selected steaks dry-aged in a giant meat locker which turns out beauties ranging from 60 days to six months old! The super-aged strips and porterhouses are designated riservas on the menu and have to be ordered several days in advance – some are almost a year old and attain a ham-like texture and a blue cheese funk that's for aficionados only.
• In the Palazzo Hotel, 3325 Las Vegas Boulevard South, +1 702 789 4141, carnevino.com, mains $33-$61, beef tasting menu $120. Open Mon-Sun 12 noon-12 midnight 

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Estiatorio Milos

Chef/owner Costas Spiliadis seems to be on the premises for a remarkable amount of the time for a man who has restaurants on two continents. This offshoot of the Montreal original (others reside in New York and Athens) has a serene elegance that strikes you as soon as you enter the low-ceilinged, softly lit space, and is detected in every refined, discriminating ingredient placed before you. The two-page menu has 11 appetisers on the left side, five salads and vegetables on the right, and a single heading that says simply From The Sea, leading you to the huge fish/seafood/vegetable counter against the far wall, where the day's catch is displayed for you to peruse and choose from.
• In the Cosmopolitan Hotel, 3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South, +1 702 698 7930, estiatoriomilos.com, mains $40-75. Open daily 12 noon-2.30pm and 5.30pm-12 midnight 

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Joël Robuchon

Paris doesn't have one. Neither does London or New York. Only Vegas has the eponymous dining salon named after and run by "The Chef of the Century", according to Gault Millau in 1990. As stale as the accolade might be, there is nothing tired about the food being turned out at this exquisite, relentlessly French jewel box in the bowels of the MGM Hotel. Bring money, and an appetite, because you'll need both to support the ornate, precise, and highly decorative food being turned out by Joel's chief lieutenant, Claude Le Tohic. Between them, they create seasonal menus of impeccable provenance. Whether it's Australian spiny lobster in a Thai herb broth, or "chaud-froid" (hot-cold) sea urchin on a fennel/potato puree flecked with anise-spiked orange, this is over-the-top cooking that makes no apologies for its extravagance.
• In the MGM Grand Hotel, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South, +1 702 891 7358, mgmgrand.com/restaurants, two-course menu $120, three-course menu $160, 16-course tasting menu $425. Open Fri-Sat 5.30pm-10.30pm, Sun-Thur 5.30pm-10pm

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Twist by Pierre Gagnaire

If Robuchon is the most elaborate and Savoy the most elegant of Vegas's great restaurants, Gagnaire matches them for the creativity of its cuisine, which is often as baffling as it is exhilarating. One look at his scallop carpaccio with Campari or mushroom broth zézette tells you that you're in the hands of the enfant terrible of French cooking. The years haven't dimmed Gagnaire's incessant search for astounding edibles and his Nebraska sirloin with escargot sauce and venison ice-cream provides a window into the intellectual curiosity that drives his talent.
• In the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 3752 Las Vegas Boulevard South, +1 888 881 9367, mandarinoriental.com, mains $44-98, three-course menu $105, six-course tasting menu $189. Open Fri-Sat 6pm-10.30pm, Tues-Thur 6pm-10pm, closed Sun-Mon

 

 

Reviews

Review of Bella Vista Ristorante from 26 November 2008

The Bella Vista is part of the San Rocco group of restaurants.

It is situated in a very picturesque environment & there is a large car park, although beware! The entrance to the complex is off a very fast/busy road :o)

There are 2 parts to it: Upstairs you will find 'The Pizzeria’; and downstairs, you will find the 'Al la Carte Restaurant’.

You will need a large budget, if you are dining in the restaurant!

I have been to the 'Pizzeria’, on many occasions - no booking required - it does get busy at week-ends.

This is a great place for a celebration/special occasion, but it is also nice just to go with a few friends.

There is a good choice range on the menu: from pastas, pizza - to steak & chicken dishes.

The sweets are also, great too.

Prices are reasonable, but your bill can soon add up with having several courses.

There are a good choice of drinks, but they are not the cheapest.

Generally, the food is really tasty, but sometimes it varies in consistency - due to different chefs being on.

Staff are generally friendly and helpful.

Toilet facilities are downstairs - small, but modern - ? Acessibility to Pizzeria/toilets for the disabled.

I have also, been to a Wedding here - it has a great location & quite a good sized function room. I particularly enjoyed the food, that was served at the main meal & reception at night!

The Bellla Vista is also, located close to the 'Hollingworth Lake Country Park’, which is a nice place to go for a gentle walk.

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Review of Bella Vista Ristorante from 19 September 2010

We went to the Bella vista for a family celebration. The food and the evening was just average.

One of our party had a huge bone in his haddock. Two of the group had stomach upsets throughout the evening and th echocolate mousse tasted burnt.

We were never asked if the meals were ok. We were not asked if we required coffees as the wait staff were busy clearing and preparing for tomorrows dinner service.

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Review of Bella Vista Ristorante from 28 February 2011

We ordered a takeaway from here and although we had to collect, the food was fantastic. Very good value for money. Amazing fresh food, beats any pizza we have ever had.
We will definately order again for a cosy night in and will visit the restaurant for a night out.
Would reccommend to anyone.

Reviews

A unique restaurant, bar and function rooms complex. First opened in 1982 on the site of an 18th century barn, we have since built a stylish and exciting venue in the Lancashire countryside with glorious views over the Pennines and beautifully maintained gardens.

Bellavista Ristorante is the a la carte restaurant, seating over 100, the restaurant has a warm atmosphere and serves exceptional dishes made only from the freshest ingredients. There is also a welcoming light and airy bar, where you can drop in for just a drink or a pre-meal aperitif. On warmer days you can also enjoy drinks or meals in the gardens.

Bellavista Pizzeria is situated on the first floor and has imposing original wooden beams and stone walls. The Pizzeria has a more informal atmosphere and is ideal for families. The pizzas are cooked in a traditional Stone baking oven; which gives them their distinct flavour. As well as pizzas there are also a wide variety of pasta, meat and fish to choose from.