The Metropolitan

Today we paid a visit to The Metropolitan in West Didsbury. Although this wasn't the first time we had dropped by this unique and cosy gastro-pub, it was the first time we had sampled its renowned award-winning grub. As expected the place was packed to its quaint, antique-style rafters and we had to wait around 30 minutes at the (unfortunately, rather overpriced) bar to be seated. As it turns out we didn't mind at all; the atmosphere created by the antique furniture, vintage prints and roaring fires make it a very pleasant place to relax on a Sunday.

Once seated by our friendly and helpful waitress, we decided on our starter of Grilled halloumi, pea and asparagus salad with sun blushed tomatoes and a green pesto dressing. 

It really was superb - fresh and tasty with its crunchy asparagus, juicy tomatoes and perfectly grilled warm halloumi. The cheese tasted almost creamy which was unusual. Everything worked excellently together. Certainly recommended! Main courses were roast dinners all round for meat eaters Bailey, Blob and Aimee.

The chicken arrived, sitting inside its large crispy Yorkshire Pud alongside a tasty sausage meat stuffing. The chicken was moist, flavoursome and perfectly cooked. The vegetable bowl, brought out separately, comprised perfect spuds roasted in goose fat, carrots, sweet onions, swede mash, broccoli and green beans. Bailey said this was "definitely in his top three roasts of all time", with his only complaint being the gravy which was a little on the thin side. I ordered a Grilled goats cheese and Ratatouille tart, which came with green and red pestos and a salad.

I absolutely love anything with goats cheese in and this puff pastry tart was delicious. I was really impressed with the pestos (the red pesto being more of a sun dried tomato paste), and the salad was really yummy - especially after I poured the green pesto all over it. I would perhaps have appreciated the salad more had it not been so similar to my starter but I couldn't fault the taste of the dish as a whole.

The portions were generous enough that we decided against ordering a pudding (just so you know, we would have gone for the cheese board). The meal for four of us (two starters, four mains, two desserts) without drinks cost around £65 which wasn't too bad considering you're talking about West Dids. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!