Spring has sprung at The Living Room as it launches its Spring/Summer Menu.
The swish Deansgate bar and restaurant has pulled out all the stops to create a list that will delight the tastebuds and also attract the eyes. With a real focus on the social aspect of eating The Living Room’s latest additions help create a culinary experience that is fun and which can be shared with friends. Their new tapas style service consists of grazers and shared platters along with keeping back a few favourite starters and mains which are popular with regulars.
The British fusion menu brings together the classic tastes of favourite traditional dishes and produce, complementing them with exotic ingredients and enticing flavours from far-flung corners of the world.
After being given the option to have the dishes come out all at once or grace the table as soon as they were ready we opted for the latter and went for a mixed selection to be brought out as and when.
There’s definitely a bit of theatre about it all echoing an air of Mr Blumenthall without going too OTT and retaining the foods original taste.
First to arrive were the Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls (£5), (we were warned by the waiter prior to ordering that these were unlike any other and served cold)-despite that it still came as a shock when they reached the table. Imagine a white clear membrane wrapped over some raw vegetables and that’s pretty much what you are presented, along with a sweet chilli and satay dip. Authenticity rules here as they are exactly as Vietnamese spring rolls should appear and taste, using rice paper to seal in their cold contents. Not an instant hit with our table but on reflection the rolls tasted fresh and went well with the accompanying sauces.
The memory of our ordering ‘hiccup’ was soon erased the Seared Beef Carpaccio (£10) came out next. Tender slices of meat drizzled with a parmesan emulsion made for a truly tasty dish with every mouthful luxurious and heavenly. Luckily the mini TLR Slider burgers (£14) were hot on their heels so we didn’t have to fight over the Carpaccio too much. 4 mini burgers with a mixture of fillings from seared tuna to pulled pork – perfect for those who want to try a bit of everything. This was easily my favourite dish – a perfect combination of being satisfying but not too heavy to enjoy other dishes or a few more cheeky cocktails.
The attention to detail The Living Room have put into their new menu is clearly evident and a big nod should go to their culinary team for their innovation in the new creations they have developed. In particular the Salmon, Tuna, and Welsh Seabass Sashimi (£15) creates a real stir when it is served up in two old fashioned steel sardine tins and you can’t help but salivate over the scampi scallops even before you taste them as they come presented on a wooden board with a mini beer mug of tartare sauce and chips just willing you to indulge.
There’s definitely a bit of theatre about it all echoing an air of Mr Blumenthall without going too OTT and retaining the foods original taste.
Sweet tooth lovers can’t leave without trying the Grande Dessert plate (£8) a selection of all The Living Rooms desserts in perfect bite size proportions-the chocolate pave with caramel ice cream is not to be missed!
Verdict: Served up a real treat – definitely the place to hang out this Summer and enjoy great food in with friends.
www.thelivingroom.co.uk
80, Deansgate, Manchester
0161 832 0083
