woody2 Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 If you are going to spend 2 or 3 hours sitting down, in company, eating, comfortable chairs, warmth, and a room that looks good and isn't cavernous or decorated in jarring clashing colours is better than an off putting venue? Think its called ambience, good ambience can affect how the food is perceived. Part of the whole experience. I think the nearest authentic Chinese is Ma Bo on Nelson Street in Liverpool China Town. Its like a 1960's Chinese greasy spoon. Vinyl floor tiles (many of which have missing corners) formica tables and no credit cards. Chinese duck hanging in the window. Rudest staff you could ever hope not to meet. But the food is not westernised or watered down flavour and texture wise. Often I'm the only non Chinese eating there. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Not contradictory woody2. Ma Bo is small comfortable cafe style and Service is fast. There's acceptable decor for greasy spoons, transport cafes through to Michelin starred places. It's a very personal thing. Ma Bo may be simple a scruffy, but it isn't soulless or OTT, it's right for what it is. So is Mrs Yang's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody2 Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 i just dont rank decor over the food, as long as it fairly clean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Neither do I. But it can either enhance or detract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted February 19, 2017 Author Share Posted February 19, 2017 There was a Chinese restaurant off China Town in London, Poon's. Formica everywhere, fluorescent lights etc. But the food was good and cheap. There was another restaurant actually in China Town which was predominantly used by the local Chinese residents, authentic cuisine. I went for the duck feet and fish lip stew which was actually as bad as it sounds. I'll try anything once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Chicken feet...mmm. Jelly fish. Chicken blood soup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_manx Posted February 19, 2017 Share Posted February 19, 2017 Not contradictory woody2. Ma Bo is small comfortable cafe style and Service is fast. There's acceptable decor for greasy spoons, transport cafes through to Michelin starred places. It's a very personal thing. Ma Bo may be simple a scruffy, but it isn't soulless or OTT, it's right for what it is. So is Mrs Yang's.I agree with JW . The location depends on what the meal is for. I had dinner on Feb 14 th at Mrs Yang's and it was very nice. It was a bit more expensive than similar on the Island but the quality of the food and the service and ambience was spot on . I do like the food at A cafe ( me and mrsmadmanx go there for lunch at least twice a month as its cheap and cheerful) but that's not a place where you want to go on Valentine's day. I wouldn't take mrsmadmanx for a special dinner at four seasons at Chinatown in London (Chinatown). You have to queue to get in and the service is very very rude. But we still go there twice a year as the roast duck there (roast duck and not the crispy duck) is melt in the mouth and the best in the Uk as per my chinese friends. Simlar with Indian food at the Punjab at Neal street at Covent garden. Excellent food but not a place for a relaxing sit down meal . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 spot on mad_manx. I occasionally eat at one of the several Bangladeshi curry houses in Manchester's Northern Quarter, that gentrifying area between Shude Hill, Hill Street, Piccadilly and Tib or Oldham Streets. They offer rice and three different dollops of curry (mainly veggie) for £4 or £5 (with one meat dish). Service takes seconds, some you can sit inside. They started off to feed the workers in the garment industry. They only open at lunch time. Its pre cooked and served from bain maries, when that days cooking is gone, its gone. Food is excellent, presentation is just as described, dollops, bit like sub continent version of school meals, but flavours are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donald Trumps Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 "Some you can sit inside"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 "Some you can sit inside"? They're predominantly take aways. Max couple small tables and four chairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_manx Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 This and that @ Manchester is an example (probably JW might be talking about the same place) https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187069-d732222-Reviews-This_That-Manchester_Greater_Manchester_England.html http://www.thisandthatcafe.co.uk Its only a 5-10 min walk from the Arndale centre but difficult to find (I had to use my GPS) Very basic but the food is very nice!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Wright Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 I've eaten there, but there are 5 or 6 within 500 yards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilp Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Ol' John Wright, he loves his grub, Be it chippy, China, or exclusive club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Peters Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Man Fang in Piccadilly Gardens Manchester in the early 70's. 3-course lunchtime special for 50p. Couldn't afford it every day, mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gladys Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Chicken feet...mmm. Jelly fish. Chicken blood soup. Never tried chicken feet, but quite partial to duck feet. When at Uni in Leicester, they were the cheapest thing on the menu, so if you wanted to eat Chinese, that is what you had! A student grant certainly sorts out faddy eating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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