Adam Reid at The French becomes only restaurant in Manchester with an ‘exceptional’ rating from the Good Food Guide

Inspectors also gave it an ‘exceptional’ in its ‘deliciousness’ and ‘strength of recommendation’ categories...

By Ben Arnold | 22 April 2024

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Adam Reid at The French has become the only restaurant in Manchester to be given an overall ‘exceptional’ rating by the Good Food Guide.

Inspectors for the revered food guide revisited the restaurant recently, and also gave it an ‘exceptional’ in its ‘deliciousness’ and ‘strength of recommendation’ categories.

“The good food guide is one of the most respected guides in the uk and for me a true reflection of how the local market see local restaurants,” Adam told Manchester’s Finest. 

“An ‘exceptional’ rating is a massive honour for us and reflects our ambition to be a top rated restaurant which is primarily focused on giving a true reflection of food culture from Manchester and the North West.”

The restaurant, in the Midland Hotel, was reinvigorated in 2012, when it was taken on by L’Enclume chef Simon Rogan, with Reid coming on as head chef in 2013. He then became chef-patron in 2016.

Earlier this year, the Michelin Guide hosted its 2024 awards ceremony at the Midland, with the cream of the UK’s culinary scene in attendance.

Sadly, despite rumours to the contrary, The French did not win its coveted first star.

In its recent review, the Good Food Guide said: “While it played host to the Michelin awards in February, yet once again missed out on that elusive star, our recent inspection found it on finer form than ever, full of balance, fun and star-bursts of flavour.”

Though Adam Reid at The French is the only ‘exceptional’ rated restaurant, a few others in the city have achieved the ‘very good’ rating, including Higher Ground, Flawd, Another Hand, The Sparrows, Hong Kong Choi in Salford and Lupo in Prestwich.

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