In a world where every new restaurant has to super flash or Tik Tok worthy, there seems to be little room for anything a little more understated. 10 Tib Lane Manchester is just one of a handful of exceptions, slowly creating a word-of-mouth buzz since arriving relatively quietly in 2021 to become one of Manchester’s hidden gems.
Well, I say hidden gem, but an unannounced visit from a certain Jay Rayner last month followed by a rave review might have just ended that era for them. The restaurant/ bar hybrid was set up by the guys behind hip Chorlton cocktail bar Henry C and the now sadly defunct Cocktail Beer Ramen + Bun, which indicates this place has some serious chops behind it.
Arriving on a typically rainy Manchester Friday evening we find the place is rammed to the rafters, with not a single stool in the bar or seat in the upstairs restaurant free. A good sign indeed.
Although relatively small, the dark and moody ambience in the dining area makes the space feel much more intimate than it should. Good luck with taking those Instagram shots in here.
Before long, we’re enjoying cocktails from a menu full of tempting options. The Devil Made Me Do It is just as impressive as its name, mixing up Appleton 8yr rum with Gonzalez Pedro Ximenez sherry and anise.
My dinner guest was just as impressed with The Thief, a refreshing concoction of Malfy Rosa Gin, Marendry, Velvet Falernum and Lime Grapefruit. A place worth visiting for drinks alone.
The food menu features a diverse mixture of sharing plates, with our waitress recommending 5-6 dishes between two. As my guest was a pescatarian, we decided to go exclusively for the seafood and vegetable options, beginning with some deliciously buttery Kermit green Nocellara Olives the Cumbrae Oysters.
Whilst far from the biggest oysters I’ve tried, they were delicious with the mignonette and a dash of Tabasco. Next came the Sea Bream Ceviche with dill oil and salmon roe. Beautifully presented, this was the dish I was least excited for, and it really wasn’t to my taste, but then seafood ceviche is not my thing.
The King Oyster Mushrooms with sautéed white beans on the other hand were fantastic, with a really meaty appearance and texture, with plenty of flavour. Our bottle of the fresh, dry and fruity Lionel Gosseaume Sauvignon Blanc was an excellent companion to the food and comes highly recommended.
The Octopus with pink fir potatoes, charcoal mayo and pimenton was another work of art, offering up plenty of newness in the taste department with the right amount of seasoning. The octopus was also perfectly tender.
Our last main dish of Plaice with brown shrimp and caper butter was another triumph. With its crispy skin and delicate flesh elevated with the tiny yet tasty brown shrimp and butter, this was my personal favourite.
We ended our evening sharing the divine Yorkshire Rhubarb and White Chocolate Crème Brulée. As a Leeds lad it’s great to see rhubarb appear on a dessert menu, as it always reminds me of my grandad who used to grow it in his garden.
I accompanied this with a glass of the moreish Gonzalez Byass Pedro Ximénez Sherry, which I became hooked on at my go-to tapas restaurant, Leeds’ Ambiente. Before leaving, we chatted to the friendly manager who recommended two excellent local cocktail bars.
Sterling Vault Bar is located underneath the Stock Exchange hotel and offers a refined drinks list set against a backdrop of live piano, while Blinker impressed me with its selection of Old Fashioned cocktails. Try both, you won’t regret either.
Final verdict
With its adventurous dishes, innovative cocktails and laidback ambience, 10 Tib Lane Manchester is a joint that commands repeat visits. Easily one of the best places to eat and drink in Manchester today. Treat your tastebuds and go.
10 Tib Lane, Manchester, M2 4JB.
Reviewed by Fletch.