Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Sweet Life
Unsurprisingly, given that its name was
shortened from “Ramson's Bottom,”
meaning “wild garlic valley,” the mar-
ket town of Ramsbottom, on the west-
ern slopes of the Pennines (14 miles
north of Manchester), has become a bit
of a pilgrimage site for foodies. In addi-
tion to a farmers' market (second Sun
of each month), it hosts a 2-day
Choco-
late Festival
(www.bury.gov.uk) in
April, with family-friendly activities as
well as chocolate, cocktail, wine, and
beer sampling in venues such as
The
Lounge
(
&
01706/828392; www.the
loungeramsbottom.co.uk) and
The First
Chop
(
&
01706/827722; www.thefirst
chop.co.uk). But year-round, the town
is worth visiting for its
Chocolate Café
(
&
01706/822828; www.chocolate-
cafe.co.uk),
Cultured Bean
(
&
01706/
825232; www.theculturedbean.com)
coffee bar and chocolate shop (try the
prize-winning chocolate torte), and
Ramsbottom Sweet Shop
(
&
01706/
822166; www.ramsbottomsweetshop.
com). As if that weren't enough, it also
has an award-winning Italian restau-
rant,
Ramsons
(
&
01706/825070;
www.ramsons-restaurant.com), a
superb South Indian eatery,
Sanmini's
(
&
01706/821831; www.sanminis.com),
and other good restaurants and pubs.
gravy. The interior is almost unchanged since 1901, but do look closely at the “period”
photos—they're actually of present-day regulars!
52 Cross St.
&
0161/832-2245.
www.thevictorianchophousecompany.com. Main courses £9.95-£25.
AE, MC, V. Mon-Sat 11:30am-11pm; Sun noon-9pm.
Red Chilli
CHINESE Reassuringly packed with Chinese diners, this is where
those in the know come for serious Beijing and Sichuan cuisine. Concessions are
made to western palates and notions about Chinese food, but look beyond the usual
favorites on the menu for more authentic dishes (if in doubt, peek at what your Chi-
nese neighbors are eating and ask for some of the same). We recommend the stir-fried
sliced eel with chili sauce, and the spicy-hot poached mutton; or investigate the
“Home Style” section of the menu with its frog's legs and whelk specialties. Despite
a recent attempt to inject glamor into the decor, prices remain very fair, and portions
are huge, so don't over order. There's a second branch in student territory, at 403-419
Oxford Rd. (
&
0161/273-1288
).
70-72 Portland St.
&
0161/236-2888.
www.redchillirestaurant.co.uk. Reservations recommended for
dinner. MC, V. Main courses £4.50-£18. Mon-Fri noon-11pm, Sat-Sun noon-midnight.
INEXPENSIVE
Like Bradford, Manchester is famous for its Indian restaurants, but even on the
“Curry Mile”
(Rusholme, south of the center), it's difficult to find one that is con-
sistently good enough to recommend. On the other hand, there are some great
Middle Eastern canteens here; try
Jazera,
22 Wilmslow Rd. (
&
0161/257-3337
),
or
Sadaf,
167 Wilmslow Rd. (
&
0161/257-3557
).
Croma
ITALIAN/PIZZA Injecting a dose of minimalist chic into the bud-
get Italian scene, Croma offers a winning formula with its gourmet salads, pizzas, and
oven-baked pastas, all at very reasonable prices. Salads include the likes of tandoori
chicken, or local Bury black pudding (blood sausage) and chorizo; for pizzas, think
everything from margharita to peppered rump steak with field mushrooms, crème
fraîche, mozzarella, and watercress. For parents, the excellent cocktails are also well
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