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Located in Manchester's historic Free Trade Hall, Opus One at Radisson Edwardian Hotel in Peter Street serves innovative modern British food that showcases the best of local produce. Dramatic interiors with soaring ceilings, velvet red walls, high gloss black woodwork, antique gold wall coverings and bespoke furniture in black crocodile skin hide, along with good food and drink make the evening come alive.

At Opus One, guests can enjoy such specialities as parfait of goose, chicken and duck livers, spinach and local brie soufflé, smoked carpaccio of venison and fried tiger prawns as the evening's introduction. Main course options such as baked fillet of John Dory with scallion and crab ravioli, roast suckling pig with Cheshire apple and bubble and squeak, and roast rib of beef with duck fat roast potatoes capture the essence of the kitchen team's efforts. A seasonal menu promises local pigeon breast with shallot puree, braised lamb neck fillet, warm goat's cheese crotin and chestnut mousse with chocolate macaroon. To conclude, there?s choice of orange poppy seed sponge, banana parfait and flourless chocolate cake.

Szechuan known as "the land of abundance" for thousands of years, its cuisine is also popular in China and around the world and ranks no.1 of the top eight main Chinese cuisines. The bold use of chilli peppers and pericarpium zanthoxyli and the unique cooking techniques together create a hot and freezing experience which tickles your quiescent palate, hence the saying "food in Canton but taste in Szechuan"!

Red N Hot Szechuan Chinese Restaurants in China Towns of Manchester, Birmingham and London offers delectable Szechuan dishes in stylish and relaxed settings. The starters section on the elaborate menu offers a wide variety of spicy, mild and tangy options. Fish fragrant pork slivers with pickled chilli ginger with a hint of sweet and sour sauce is a must try. If you are up to some adventure you can try sliced beef lavishly topped with chilli and Szechuan pepper.

Pizza Express remains a hugely popular bedrock of casual eating. Its popularity is testimony to the fact that across the country, they have restaurants where you will always be guaranteed a good nosh, with children's tastes being well catered for.

Pizza Express has gone even more Roman, and following the success of that particular example of listening to their public have introduced Romana pizzas, including the scorching Etna and the hearty Siciliana.

These pizzas are now thinner, bigger and crispier, and if that sounds like a marketing line, it is. However, unlike many such lines, this one is true, and their quality is always consistent, though cleverly they have still managed to retain a homemade feel to their pizzas.

As an alternative to pizza, try their pollo pesto - cavatappi pasta with torn chicken breast, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella in a creamy gruyere, parmesan and pesto sauce and finished with grana padano - or the niçoise salad with mixed leaves, yellowfin tuna, free range egg, green beans, potatoes and tomatoes with olives, anchovies, capers and house dressing.

Many of the big chains have come a long way, and Pizza Express is certainly amongst them. One of the first to be quoted on the Stock Exchange - in 1993 - Pizza Express is not a franchise operation and retains tight control through its own staff.

Their wine list - though short - contains some surprisingly good offerings, especially their intense Australian Chardonnay, and a big, full-bodied Merlot from Cusumano, Sicilia.

Situated in Manchester's Northern Quarter, Bluu's striking interior of retro furniture and distinctive 80s styling enhances the über trendy factor. Funky and eclectic, the bar-brasserie is spread across the ground floor and basement and offers hand crafted cocktails along with the premium wines, beers and a variety of spirits.

Bluu's unswerving commitment to the seasons and fresh ingredients is evident in their modern British cooking and, with an open kitchen, diners get to watch chefs at close quarters. An assiette of miniature starters to share can be followed by rabbit and smoked bacon terrine and pan-fried salmon, saffron and mussel chowder. The classic pie and mash makes an appearance alongside 10 oz rib eye steak from the grill section.

Tapas is usually considered the ultimate bonding food and this is evident with plates of salt and pepper calamari, Welsh rarebits, posh cheese straws and mini Scotch eggs being polished off in quick succession.

It's bright, it's vivacious and it epitomises Italy perfectly, bringing you a lovely and continental setting, right here in the UK. Chic and modern elements fuse seamlessly with traditional charm and classic brasserie feel, and what you get is an ambience that resonates with a vibrant and contemporary buzz. The food is simply some of the best you can have outside Italy, and the fresh and superb quality ingredients along with the Neapolitan wood stone oven, makes sure that every dish is turned out authentically.

The fritto misto with fried squid, king prawn, asparagus and roasted garlic mayonnaise is a great way to begin, and crispy duck with honey roasted apples and Valpolicella red wine sauce makes a delicious main course. Pasta options are plentiful with favourites such as spaghetti carbonara and tagliatelle alla Bolognese; dessert includes the refreshing baked vanilla cheesecake with citrus blueberries.

Predominantly Italian, the wine list at Piccolino offers a number of choices alongside spirits and liqueurs.