It’s been almost 8 years since I was last in Manchester. I used to spend a lot of time partying in this city all those years ago and so returning a little older (and perhaps a little wiser) was rather interesting. I’m not sure if I fell in love with Manchester this time around, but I’m seeing it in a different light. I’m not partying anymore or staying over at friends, but instead looking to enjoy a few cocktails, eat good food and stay in nice hotels. One place on my list was one of Manchester’s hottest hangouts, Tattu.
A little difficult to find admittedly, but step through the doors and you’re greeted by a magnificent dining room. A gorgeous illuminated cherry blossom tree at the centre and sumptuous bar for a few too many cocktails after dinner. The food here is Chinese and portions are generous – so come hungry.
We started our meal with a good cocktail and some fiery spiced edamame. Drinks are actually for me the highlight here and the guys really know what they’re doing. My favourite was the ‘sake sour’. Sweet, sour and far too easy to drink.
Price wise Tattu isn’t your cheapest restaurant in town, but neither is it the most expensive and their dim sum lunch menu is rather competitive. Four courses of dim sum each will set you back around £22 and you’ll leave feeling very full. First out was a plate of excellent crispy duck spring rolls with plum sauce for dipping and some lovely vibrant red wagyu dumplings. Pastry was a little on the thick side of our dim sum, but the flavour was superb.
Crispy Shanghai dumplings were my least favourite dish from this lunch. The filling was a little lacking, the parcels not quite the right side if crispy and the overall flavour needed just a little more of something. They weren’t bad, but simply the least enjoyable of the selection we enjoyed.
On the flip side, my two favourite dishes were these beauties pictured above. Rich and decadent chicken truffle shumai offered bundles of satisfaction, whilst the plump prawn har gau left us wishing we’d ordered more. They looked great too and presentation is something this place has spot on.
It seemed the dim sum here got richer and richer the more we got through it. Spicy pork won tons were again packed to the brim with flavour and the beef and fois gras gyoza offered steamed decadence. Pastry here again felt a little thick, but for the price it still felt like great value.
We had a lovely lunch at Tattu and next time we’re in Manchester we’d happily return to try more of its menu. The dim sum here isn’t the best you’ll find in the UK, but it may just well be the best in Manchester.
