Damson

Not too long ago most of the best restaurants in Manchester weren’t in Manchester at all, but rather the suburbs – the likes of Ramsbottom and Prestwich. And while the city centre has caught up and overtaken the fringes, there’s still much to be gained from venturing out of town, in this instance just five miles south to the quaint leafy suburb of Heaton Moor.

Damson is run by restaurateur Steve Pilling and his chef partner Simon Stanley – the team that revitalised Manchester’s chophouses – who clearly have great pedigree, but the French-inflected fine dining on offer here is something else entirely.

Complex dishes demonstrating a range of techniques arrive exquisitely presented. The a la carte menu is a little pricey for a local restaurant, so if you can, take advantage of the excellent value early diners offer, or go for the keenly priced tasting menu, which comes with the option of an equally good value wine-pairing package. Most bottles of wine cost less than £30, while a short cocktail menu sticks to the absolute classics.

The décor, meanwhile, is stylish and luxurious – all polished floorboards, velvet chairs and an impressive wine display – but at the same time remains unpretentious.

There may be better options in the city centre these days, but Damson is still worth the short journey from central Manchester. A delightful neighbourhood restaurant that locals should count themselves lucky to have.