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Evenings at the Kro Bar in Oxford Road come alive with the sounds of bands playing, creating a pulsating atmosphere. Customers can relax at this Danish bar during the day too, either inside the mid-19th century building or the large decked beer garden in the rear. An extensive menu, with vegetarian options and a children's selection, offers full meals as well as snacks. Breakfast is also served here.

A full English breakfast with pork sausages, Danish back bacon, eggs, hash brown and toast, or muesli, eggs on toast, omelettes and Belgian waffles makes for a substantial start to the day. A lunchtime or evening meal here could include roast Danish tender pork and sweet red cabbage on toasted ciabatta with crackling, smoked salmon and egg sandwich, Cajun chicken breast burger, Kro fishcake salad, beef and ale stew, fish and chips and wild mushroom risotto. There?s also choice of Danish specials like frikadeller, pork and veal meatballs, pork schnitzel, medister sausages and Danish herrings with homemade rye bread. Refresh your thirst with a range of continental beers and local guest ales.

This stunning restaurant is housed within the historic Victorian atrium of the Barton Arcade. The theme is rough-luxe combining traditional understated British style with modern luxurious touches. The main features include a sweeping staircase, zinc bar, leather chesterfields and porter chairs that are perfect for that intimate dinner.
 
The kitchen offers a sumptuous menu based on traditional rustic dishes with a contemporary edge. Guests who like to visit early can enjoy freshly baked pastries and light bites at lunches. Lunch will never be the same again, with diners able to choose from whole roasts and poultry with all the trimmings to share among groups of four to five people. Whole Gressingham duck, rib beef with horseradish and free range chicken with sage and onion and pork belly with Stornoway Island black pudding are among the specialties.

A nicely decorated basement restaurant monitoring on northern Chinese cooking with contributions from other regions as well. From the north comes proper Peking Duck in a gourmand three-course format. Most of the old favourites demanded by the classic British approach to Chinese food are there, but hey why not try a little adventure every now and again. Comfortably priced wine list of about 30 bottles, starting with house wines at £8.95.

Just off bustling Piccadilly, the MC Café Bar and Grill, located on the ground floor of ABode Manchester, is a venue for a meal any time of the day, from breakfast until late evening. With chef Michael Caines at the helm, it offers modern European cuisine in a stylish contemporary ambience.

Whether it is a full three-course meal, light bites or just coffee or tea with home baked pastries and patisseries, there's something for everyone. A meal here could include terrine of goat's cheese with apple and walnuts, smoked bacon and mushroom vol au vent, spicy duck salad with watercress, saffron risotto with tiger prawns and sweet chilli and beer battered fish with hand cut chips. From the grill, there's sirloin steak with all the trimmings, seared lamb's liver with bubble and squeak and chicken breast marinated in Moroccan spices and served with citrus couscous. Round off with rhubarb sundae and chopped nuts or passion fruit parfait with chocolate sauce.

A chic contemporary style and relaxing atmosphere make Alto at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel in Peter Street equally suited to a full English breakfast or leisurely evening dinner with modern English cuisine selections. Floor to ceiling windows, and mushroom lanterns which cast a soft glow enhance diners? delight. The spacious terrace offers alfresco dining in the summer.

The menu at Alto reflects seasonal variety, showcasing British ingredients prepared with a twist. A meal here could include dishes such as roast chicken breast with onion rosti, parmesan coated pork steak, the Edwardian beef burger, fillet of butter fish with stir fried vegetables, seared calf?s liver with mashed potato and, battered haddock with hand cut chips and Manchester caviar. Salads like seared tuna Niçoise, spicy stir fried beef, and fennel with prawn and basil together with sandwiches of roast beef and horseradish; ham and mustard; and Mrs. Appleby?s Cheshire cheese add to the variety. Desserts such as strawberry shortcake, peach Melba and chocolate cheesecake bring the meal to a satisfactory conclusion. A concise wine list adds to the pleasure.