• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Salford
• Category: Restaurants

Salford M50 3WL
0161 877 4738

1sttimebuyer said

For an italian american chain, it's pretty much what you expect - take the kids, they seem to love it, and the food's quite filling even if you're an adult (maybe that's just cos I get the meatball Calzone....).

Every now and then they have a 25% discount for takeaway which makes it more attractive.

Plenty of parking and right next to the Metrolink stop.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M3 4LY
0161 839 9229

1sttimebuyer said
Great first drink or bite to eat before a night ou
Handy location at the bottom of Deansgate to start your night out in Manchester - get off the train at Deansgate or G-MEX if you're on the Metrolink.

The bar is under the railway bridge, and has a charm about it that most 'modern' bars can't capture at all.

The bar is stocked with plenty of beers, many from around the world, particularly Belgium, but they also have real cask ales, normally including one or two from local Manchester or North-West smaller brewers.

The jukebox is packed with quality, and the food is fantastic, and definitely good value. In winter it really is one of the few places to get hot, wholesome grub on a cold wet evening.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M1 7HL

1sttimebuyer said
Does what it says on the tin
Honestly, I'd been past this place in my car loads of times before I got my arse in gear and went in, because it doesn't look anything special from the outside.

But inside, you've got a great range of drinks (including Guinness Red!), a long bar, plenty of seat and sofas, good cheap food (nothing special but a good value feed), a good jukebox, a few pool tables, friendly bar staff, discount card for students and a big screen telly.

What more do you want from a pub? They even put Neighbours on in the evening. Outstanding.

On being asked if I wanted a Loyalty Card they asked me to show my student ID:
"But it's a loyalty card not a student card"
"Sorry I'll need your student card for that"
"How about my loyalty instead?"
(laughing) "it doesn't give you a discount off Guinness Red anyway...."

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Salford
• Category: Restaurants

Salford M50 3AG
0161 8773666

1sttimebuyer said
Great pre-theatre and mid-shopping feed
This place is situated between Pizza Express and Cafe Rouge on the plaza between the Theatre and the shopping mall (opposite Lime Bar) and serves great Chinese food.

It's the sister restaurant to a great one in Urmston of the same name, and carries the same standards over. The food is fantastic, the buffet is definitely good value even if you're not a pig like me.

It's handy for a quick bite while shopping or going to the cinema in the mall, but also great pre-theatre at the Lowry - the place may be packed out but you'll always get your food and bill on time so you're in your seat in time for the performance. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and once you've finished your meal get your parking validated for a good few hours for free :D

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Events and Entertainment

Manchester M4 2AD
0870 010 2030

1sttimebuyer said
Massive screen
I've only been to see two movies here - Superman (the new one) IMAX, and Transformers.

The IMAX film had special 3D effects where you put on special glasses - but much better than the god awful ones we had back in the 80s and 90s. The screen is enormous, so sit back if you can! Also if you wear specs, then put your contacts in if you can - otherwise you are constantly tiliting your head back and forth to focus if you aren't sat far back enough!

Transformers on the big screen was quality - no special 3D or anything, just 'blow your mind' massive and loud.

If there's any new blockbusters that are specially IMAX'ed they'll be marked so on the listing, so check them out for a new experience.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Manchester M2 6FW
0161 832 3588

1sttimebuyer said
Great Full English Breakfast
Simply put a great place for breakfast at any time of the day. Normally busy on weekdays, it's one of the few places on a Sunday morning where you can get a traditional cafe breakfast in central Manchester without having to trek for miles to park (I'm not even sure there are many places open on a Sunday with these prices anyway).

On the face of it, Essy's is a bog standard 'greasy spoon' like you'll find on most streets in London, but to have a couple of branches in Central Manchester, including one that I hear has been open since my Dad's uni days in the 60s, it must be doing something right. Pop in and have a proper feed for a change.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Manchester M1 5NP

1sttimebuyer said
Chilled and friendly
Situated down a street off Oxford Road near Spar, this place is a handy gem - especially for the 'first drink' meeting place early doors.

Cocktails are cheap, patrons are mainly students, decor is modern and nice - basement normally has a DJ on late doors at weekends IIRC, upstairs has a big telly with PS2 Pro Evo on it - be courteous and let other people go on it if you do try it!

The staff are friendly and the bar downstairs is well handy - apparently the food isn't too bad, and you can hire out the downstairs for private functions v cheaply I hear.

• Added: 31st of August 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Restaurants

Manchester M21 9AP

1sttimebuyer said
Great value, good food
This place is great value for Italian food, compared to what you pay at Pizza Express, save your money and spend it here and get a tastier meal!

There's parking right behind this venue (pay and display car park) and buses stop right nearby.

The staff are friendly and attentive, and the ambience is really nice in the evening. The tables at the back under the glass conservatory-like area are bright and modern, great at lunch on a sunnny day.

I only tried this place randomly as I was passing, but since then I've tried the other branch on Albert Square near the town hall in Manchester, and both are consistenly good.

I'd call ahead to book for evenings and weekends, but if you're around this are at lunch just drop by and enjoy some good value and tasty food.

• Added: 31st of August 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Food and Drink

Manchester M21 0BN

1sttimebuyer said
Good range of organic stuff
Situated on the main street in Chorlton, Unicorn is your one stopshop for vegetarian, vegan and organic food and drink.

Parking is available, just go round the block to find the entrance - there's not many spaces but you can park on the road further down (pay and display though).

Inside there's a great range of food, my personal favourite being the stuff behind the deli counter - both savoury and sweet - and the range of organic alcohol is fantastic. The cider is brilliant, just don't forget to bring your own bottle carrier or carrier bags cos they don't have any of their own.

Combined with the deli onthe other side of the road, the fishmonger's round the corner, and the Belgian Belly, you have all you need for a party or get-together!

• Added: 31st of August 2008
• Area: Manchester
• Category: Stations and Transport

Manchester M5

1sttimebuyer said
Shhh... It's Oh So Quiet
As met stops go this place is pretty bog standard, it's mostly quiet in the evening, and during the day, apart form the odd scally. Yo udo get a few of them getting on the met here, but I think the buses are cheaper so they tend to use them instead. Or their BMXs, or their little motorbikes.

The station has ramped access, and the ticket machines take notes (after a few tries at inserting them that is!). If you're heading into town, and you can't see a met coming down Eccles New Road, you may as well start walking to Broadway - it only takes 5 minutes or so. It won't save you money but it's better than being sat on your backside.

The best thing is that Metro Max tickets are quite cheap, compared to the price you'd pay for the same ticket at Altrincham!