Quill, Manchester

Fans of the BBC2 show will know, one thing that angers the Dragons in the Den is when people pitch their businesses at a value well above what they’re worth.

Pricewise, Quill has pitched itself on par* with Four AA Rosette places such as The French by Simon Rogan and Manchester House. Sadly, to my mind it’s poles apart in terms of quality of cooking and, most importantly, in delivering on taste.

(*Quill’s 9 course Tasting Menu is £85; the 5 course Chef’s Signature at £65

Mcr House’s offer 15 courses for £95; and an impressive 8 courses for £60

The French’s menus are 10 courses for £85; the smaller tasting is 6 courses at £65)

Before I go on to knock the food, I should point out that I dined from the cheaper ‘Lunch Menu’ which offers 3 courses for £24.50 – obviously, at this price, I wasn’t expecting the food to equal to the two places mentioned above (however, Mcr House do have a 3 course lunch for just £27.50)… but, I was expecting the food to be flavoursome and harmonised.  

Laughingly served like a pimple on a duck’s arse in an oversized straw bed, housed within a bespoke wine box, the Chicken Liver Parfait with blood orange & chicory jam was, along with the Sourdough Bread, the nicest thing I ate.

Re. the butter: I’m in the “Love Marmite” camp – I’ve had the Marmite Butter at The Typing Room in London and it’s a wonderful thing. I found the Quill version to be far too strong – surely even a fan does not want a “full on” side of marmite on toast with a supposedly well balanced meal?

Pigeon – Cabbage, Tuna, Parmesan

The pigeon starter was okay. Artfully presented, it consisted of a “pigeon pastrami” with slaw, shallots, raisins, parmesan wafers and a well judged smoked tuna mayo. Promise shown from the young chef, Curtis Stewart.

Sea Bream – Chorizo, Corn, Cockle Broth

Then things took an awry turn. On paper an excellent combination, the dashi broth flavoured with chorizo and cockles appeared off kilter to me – there was an acidic element which overrode, rather than enhanced. The flesh of the Sea Bream was well cooked but I’d have liked the flavour and texture that a crispy skin would’ve added.

Passion Fruit – Meringue, Cucumber, Wasabi

For me, the dessert was another dish that just didn’t deliver at the expected level. I found the passion fruit cheese cake was served far too cold; the wasabi ice cream lacked all but the subtlest of flavours and the cucumber balls tasted like they’d been marinated in dish water.  

Despite my negatives, Chef Curtis Stewart is obviously a young talent. I’m hoping that, given time, as he and team his team mature and develop, Quill will be able to justify their prices and achieve their ambitions of competing with the best in Manchester.

Until that time, I believe better food is available at greater value for money at Two AA Rosette places in such as Mr Cooper’s House & Garden or Grenache; and at One AA Rosette places such as Earle in Hale or Nutters.

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