Anyone eaten seafood/fish at Manzi's in London?
Aug 9th, 2005, 04:59 PM
#1
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Anyone eaten seafood/fish at Manzi's in London?
The 5th October is our 37th wedding anniversary and we'll be in London at that time. I have heard that Manzi's has great seafood - cooked with an Italian flair. The menu on their website looks wonderful. But I"m hoping for some personal opinions?
Any comments or first-hand info about Manzi's? And about the location? It's close to Leister Square and Chinatown.
Carol
Any comments or first-hand info about Manzi's? And about the location? It's close to Leister Square and Chinatown.
Carol
Aug 9th, 2005, 07:35 PM
#2
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It's just me replying to my own post.
I wanted to bump it up to see if it will catch the eye of a bon fide Londoner or one who stays in London enough to know about this place!
Carol
I wanted to bump it up to see if it will catch the eye of a bon fide Londoner or one who stays in London enough to know about this place!
Carol
Aug 10th, 2005, 02:17 AM
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Hi there,
I live in London but have never eaten at Manzis. However, here is a link to some reviews of it on a London restaurant review site which may help:
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/2982.htm
Another well known Italian style seafood restaurant is Zilli Fish:
http://www.zillialdo.com/Zilli_Fish/Zilli_Fish.htm
Enjoy your trip to London!
I live in London but have never eaten at Manzis. However, here is a link to some reviews of it on a London restaurant review site which may help:
http://www.london-eating.co.uk/2982.htm
Another well known Italian style seafood restaurant is Zilli Fish:
http://www.zillialdo.com/Zilli_Fish/Zilli_Fish.htm
Enjoy your trip to London!
Aug 10th, 2005, 02:52 AM
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Haven't been there, but here's the review on Hardens (London's most reliable guide):
F S A
Manzi’s WC2 £44 (average price per head)
1 Leicester St MAP 7734 0224
This “solid”, “old-faithful” fish parlour in the heart of Theatreland – with its long-serving staff – is the sort of place where the “Dover sole never fails”; even those who are suckers for its “nostalgic” appeal, however, are beginning to sense that “the time has come for an upgrade”.
Of course, the most famous and best fish restaurant in J Sheekey, beloved of old timers and new wave stars alike. Hard to get in, so book well ahead if you fancy it.
Here's the Hardens view:
“Classy” but surprisingly “unpretentious”, this Theatreland star-magnet is – for the second year – the survey’s most talked-about place; “five-star fish” is the culinary draw, served by “impeccable” staff, in a series of “intimate” parlours.
F S A
Manzi’s WC2 £44 (average price per head)
1 Leicester St MAP 7734 0224
This “solid”, “old-faithful” fish parlour in the heart of Theatreland – with its long-serving staff – is the sort of place where the “Dover sole never fails”; even those who are suckers for its “nostalgic” appeal, however, are beginning to sense that “the time has come for an upgrade”.
Of course, the most famous and best fish restaurant in J Sheekey, beloved of old timers and new wave stars alike. Hard to get in, so book well ahead if you fancy it.
Here's the Hardens view:
“Classy” but surprisingly “unpretentious”, this Theatreland star-magnet is – for the second year – the survey’s most talked-about place; “five-star fish” is the culinary draw, served by “impeccable” staff, in a series of “intimate” parlours.
Aug 10th, 2005, 09:42 AM
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Thanks for the replies.
Our friends who we are meeting in London really like Sheekey's and have suggested it in the past.
But we're going to be staying smack dab in the center (close to Leister) so am trying to choose eateries in this area. I'm not sure where Sheekey's is.
Also we are just about 2 blocks from Chinatown. Could anyone suggest their favorite Chinese restaurant in Chinatown?
Kate, thanks for the review of Harden's.
And, Bitilke, I'm going to do a search on Bibendum and see what I can find.
Yesterday a friend gave me a copy of the 2003 edition of "TimeOut - Eating and Drinking" so I'll be happy to look any place up. Of course, it's only a 2003. My friend had the 2005 and gave me a copy of the review on Manzi's. The 2003 review wasn't nearly as good as the 2005!
Anyway, thanks to all. Now, give me your BEST shot at Chinatown!
Carol
Our friends who we are meeting in London really like Sheekey's and have suggested it in the past.
But we're going to be staying smack dab in the center (close to Leister) so am trying to choose eateries in this area. I'm not sure where Sheekey's is.
Also we are just about 2 blocks from Chinatown. Could anyone suggest their favorite Chinese restaurant in Chinatown?
Kate, thanks for the review of Harden's.
And, Bitilke, I'm going to do a search on Bibendum and see what I can find.
Yesterday a friend gave me a copy of the 2003 edition of "TimeOut - Eating and Drinking" so I'll be happy to look any place up. Of course, it's only a 2003. My friend had the 2005 and gave me a copy of the review on Manzi's. The 2003 review wasn't nearly as good as the 2005!
Anyway, thanks to all. Now, give me your BEST shot at Chinatown!
Carol
Aug 10th, 2005, 01:11 PM
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Brahmama..Carol..Do try J sheekey's and check just before you go on the top table and london eating sites..they frequently have special offers for JS's!
I'm still in the garden! and promise to answer tomorrow!
J!!!
I'm still in the garden! and promise to answer tomorrow!
J!!!
Aug 10th, 2005, 01:38 PM
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Haven't been to Manzi's for centuries. But the Time Out 2005 review reflects Harden's almost exactly - and my own memories of it in the late 70s.
There isn't a restaurant in Chinatown that I's go to for a big splurge (though there are dozens that offer great food). My current favourites are Chuen Cheng Ku (though that's more because they do dim sum the way they all used to, with nice matronly waitresses pushing trolleys) and the uber-hip Cafe de HK in Charing Cross Road, on the west side just north of Leicester Square tube (and please note the spelling).
But THE best in the area I'd say is Yauatcha, just outside Chinatown proper in Broadwick St, whose dim sum are dazzlingly creative - including the dim sum served as pudding. Surprisingly good value for the quality, though they don't approve of lingerers. Others speak very, very highly of Hakkasan, again just a bit away from Chinatown proper in Hanway Place, though I've not had a chance to try it. Not at all cheap by London Chinese standards, but widely raved over. I'm highly partial to the Royal China over in Queensway (with dim sum waitresses who are almost certainly doing MBAs at one of our sharper universities, and are as unmatronly ass it's possible to be. But tres fanciable.).
Or you might compromise and try the Mandarin Kitchen in Queensway, which specialises in lobster - generally seen as a bit noove by British diners in Chinese places.
There isn't a restaurant in Chinatown that I's go to for a big splurge (though there are dozens that offer great food). My current favourites are Chuen Cheng Ku (though that's more because they do dim sum the way they all used to, with nice matronly waitresses pushing trolleys) and the uber-hip Cafe de HK in Charing Cross Road, on the west side just north of Leicester Square tube (and please note the spelling).
But THE best in the area I'd say is Yauatcha, just outside Chinatown proper in Broadwick St, whose dim sum are dazzlingly creative - including the dim sum served as pudding. Surprisingly good value for the quality, though they don't approve of lingerers. Others speak very, very highly of Hakkasan, again just a bit away from Chinatown proper in Hanway Place, though I've not had a chance to try it. Not at all cheap by London Chinese standards, but widely raved over. I'm highly partial to the Royal China over in Queensway (with dim sum waitresses who are almost certainly doing MBAs at one of our sharper universities, and are as unmatronly ass it's possible to be. But tres fanciable.).
Or you might compromise and try the Mandarin Kitchen in Queensway, which specialises in lobster - generally seen as a bit noove by British diners in Chinese places.
Aug 10th, 2005, 02:24 PM
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I tried to answer this earlier, but it seems to have evaporated.
Jody,
No worries. Stay in that garden and get it all sorted out!
flanneruk,
I had thought I would have to post a new query with Chinatown in the subject, but I don't think I'll need to do that now. Thanks for all the interesting info and ideas.
I still have my heart set on a fish dinner for the Anniversary, but I certainly want to eat Chinese food, esp since it is so close by.
And thanks for the correction on Leicester - that will help a lot if I do anymore Leicester searches on Google!
Ok, that takes care of fish and Chinese.
Any suggestions of other interesting places nearby? I do have to have a meal with Steak and Guiness pie, and parsnip mash with mushy peas. And of course, the sticky toffee pudding.
Hmmm, I have made myself hungry.
Carol
Jody,
No worries. Stay in that garden and get it all sorted out!
flanneruk,
I had thought I would have to post a new query with Chinatown in the subject, but I don't think I'll need to do that now. Thanks for all the interesting info and ideas.
I still have my heart set on a fish dinner for the Anniversary, but I certainly want to eat Chinese food, esp since it is so close by.
And thanks for the correction on Leicester - that will help a lot if I do anymore Leicester searches on Google!
Ok, that takes care of fish and Chinese.
Any suggestions of other interesting places nearby? I do have to have a meal with Steak and Guiness pie, and parsnip mash with mushy peas. And of course, the sticky toffee pudding.
Hmmm, I have made myself hungry.
Carol
Aug 10th, 2005, 02:29 PM
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Two places come to mind for that steak and Guiness pie (or other variations, including of course kidneys) and sticky toffee pudding (probably the very cause of my becoming diabetic!).
One is the beautiful, "oldest restaurant in London", Rules which is also quite near by. The other is Langan's Brasserie which is on a little street near the Ritz Hotel. The second is considerably less money than the first. Both are great.
You may see the traditional menu at a place near Leicester called Porter's. Avoid it unless you enjoy a totally touristy place that pretends to serve authentical old favorites. The menu could easily draw you in.
One is the beautiful, "oldest restaurant in London", Rules which is also quite near by. The other is Langan's Brasserie which is on a little street near the Ritz Hotel. The second is considerably less money than the first. Both are great.
You may see the traditional menu at a place near Leicester called Porter's. Avoid it unless you enjoy a totally touristy place that pretends to serve authentical old favorites. The menu could easily draw you in.
Aug 11th, 2005, 08:10 AM
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Well Patrick, noone on THIS forum is going to say that they enjoy TOTALLY TOURISTIC venues! So thanks for the warning about Porter's. I probably would have fallen for the menu - I looked it up on it's website and it's certainly got all the bells and whistles.
Maybe what I need is a pub for this kind of food. Last go-round in London, we ate at some pubs that were NOT touristy (!) but had some pretty fair food. That's where I found the parsnip mash which I dearly love. And real ale!
Carol
Maybe what I need is a pub for this kind of food. Last go-round in London, we ate at some pubs that were NOT touristy (!) but had some pretty fair food. That's where I found the parsnip mash which I dearly love. And real ale!
Carol
Aug 11th, 2005, 08:23 AM
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Just jumping in to concur with Flanner - Yauatcha is THE Dim Dum restaurant of the moment - stella dim sum in beautiful surroundings. And very reasonable for the quality, service and decor. I paid £30 (per head) for a meal I would easily expect to pay £50 or more for. Book well ahead.
Bibendum has a very soift plave in my heart - I've had some truly memorable times there, as much for the company, service and atmosphere as the food. The restaurant is looking a bit dated now, and is packed with the twinset and pearls brigade.
However, one of it's best features is its oyster bar. Just go there for champagne and oysters downstairs - no need to splurge on a whole dinner.
Another great drop in oyster bar is in Soho - Randall & Aubin on Brewer Street. Go along, queue up for a seat at high tables surrounded by Victorian tiled walls. Smashing.
Bibendum has a very soift plave in my heart - I've had some truly memorable times there, as much for the company, service and atmosphere as the food. The restaurant is looking a bit dated now, and is packed with the twinset and pearls brigade.
However, one of it's best features is its oyster bar. Just go there for champagne and oysters downstairs - no need to splurge on a whole dinner.
Another great drop in oyster bar is in Soho - Randall & Aubin on Brewer Street. Go along, queue up for a seat at high tables surrounded by Victorian tiled walls. Smashing.
