Jack Spratt (now closed)

John Dalton Street, St James Square, Manchester M2 6WH

My girlfriend had been here with her book club, who enjoyed their visit. To start we shared the home made bread with a selection of butters and oils. The waitress kindly brought enough warm bread for 2 people. There was rosemary butter, balsamic and olive oil, pesto oil and one other butter (I forget what type).

For the main course, I had the 6oz Cote de Boeuf (rib eye on the bone), potato dauphinoise and café de Paris butter. With the early bird offer of 35% off, the cost was a reasonable £15 (usually £23). The steak was huge, the potatoes were delicious, but the sauce was not for me as it was made with anchovies and capers, and, not being a big seafood fan, I had to scrape this off into a napkin. It’s my own sodding fault - I should have asked what “café de Paris" was.

My girlfriend enjoyed the pan fried chicken breast served with fondant potato and a creamy mushroom and tarragon. 

The name of the house wine escapes me now (hic!) but it was good quality and priced reasonably. We were too full to sample the desserts this time. I can never manage a three course meal. It’s either starter or dessert. Such frustration!

Overall the service was superb, the staff friendly, and there was a great atmosphere helped by a live band playing acoustic covers of popular hits. The decor was classy but nothing special.

For me, without the early bird discount, the food would have been overpriced. I told myself I must come back to try the Sunday roast (my favourite meal of all).