63 Degrees

Tried this place twice. I had the most amazing snails as a starter and an incredible lamb cut for main, a la carte. Decent prices given the quality, taste and presentation of the meals. Nice selection of wine. It is a family business and you can feel it in the air: great service and friendly, low key atmosphere. I would have given 5 stars if I had not had the set tasting menu, pale version of what you can get a la carte. Can’t complain though for a £25, 5 courses set menu. Will come back occasionally.

Occupying the spot that was once The Market restaurant, nestled in between the trendy bars and eateries of the Northern Quarter and facing the old fish market, 63 Degrees is an elegant retreat from the buzz of the city. Crisp white décor complimented by a gold feature wall and trendy exposed bulb lightshades, it is chic without being fussy. The set lunch menu, competitively priced at two courses for £16 or three courses for £20, features modern European fare which isn’t particularly adventurous but features some interesting flavours. We ordered the chef’s terrine and the salmon and avocado tartare to start, the terrine being a delicately flavoured pâté accompanied by fresh bread and a side salad and perhaps a little tough for my liking and the tartare arriving beautifully presented on a slate. For mains, we shared the 63 Degrees chicken which was perhaps the most tender chicken I have ever tasted and cooked to absolute perfection, and the risotto; delicious but not outstanding. Service was impeccable, our wine glasses permanently monitored and refilled as required, but not intrusive, although we were offered the dessert menu shortly after our dessert plates had been cleared away by a different waiter so perhaps a little more communication between serving staff would avoid a small and inconsequential hiccup like this. The soundtrack of Norah Jones perfectly complimented the ambience and set a relaxed mood. Attentive and personable waiters, a winning menu, beautifully presented dishes, an extensive wine list and simple yet effective décor made for an enjoyable experience and I would struggle to fault the food. We stayed long after our desserts were eaten and our wine was finished and didn’t feel rushed or under pressure to leave and 63 Degrees is somewhere I wouldn’t hesitate to return and linger again. Fantastic.

I had been wanting to try 63 Degrees for a long time, i just needed a reason to splash out on what i knew was going to be a fantastic meal. So, the boyfriends birthday seemed like an excellent opportunity to try it.
We ordered 2 glasses of champagne on arrival and cosied up in the corner of this small, intimate and romantic restaurant. There was plenty to choose from on the menu but in the end i opted for a salmon and avocado tartar for starter and the beef fillet for main course. Both were delicious, with a special mention to the dauphinoise potatoes that came as a side-​order!
For desert i opted for a crêpe soufle — this too was magnificent.
Overall, the meal came in at £150.00 with a bottle of Sancere and was well worth it in my opinion. I just need another special reason to visit again!

Had the loveliest three course meal here, the place oozes charm and authenticity.
I sat in the window seat upstairs, and despite being relatively close to other tables, it was perfectly nice.
To start I had the scallops (¹⁰⁄₁₀), followed by risotto (⁹⁄₁₀) and finally the salted caramel Mille feuille for desert (⁸⁄₁₀)
I think we ordered the Argentinian Malbec… I’ve forgotten (oops!) but it was delicious whatever it was!
Staff were extremely helpful and some to be proud of! (They need to teach a few other places a trick or two)
In terms of atmosphere, I’d say it teeters somewhere between fine and casual dining. It would be acceptable to go dressed smart casual.

Excellent spot, I’m not a vegetarian but had a vegetarian dish and it was delicious. There were six of us in the party and every plate was clean at the end of the meal!

63 Degrees has a stunning reputation for good fine dining and although the chef can clearly cook, my meal on this occasion was really rather disappointing apart from two of the dishes out of the four I had. Plus it is hard for me not to believe that the service could have been so much better.
I amusingly for me was asked by my companion to dress up for the meal, so entered in full suit, and if you know me you will realise just how unlike me this is. What makes the suit worth mentioning in this case is I really would not mind if I felt the meal was worth the effort of getting dressed up for, but this is not how I felt.
I started with the Pea consommé with organic poached quail egg, which was really rather good although it needs tweaking slightly, if for example they would provide the parmesan in smaller shaved chunks so that you get a little with every mouthful of this glorious consommé it would taste so much better and the balance would be sublime. My second dish was the Risotto with green asparagus and parmesan which I have to say is not really worth mentioning, it is very average, plus there are two of my least favourite things on this plate that just don’t belong there, reduced balsamic vinegar and a very cold tomato stuck on the top as a garnish, neither of these two things added anything at all to this dish.
Probably the most annoying thing I had at this restaurant was one of the signature dishes the 63 Degrees Chicken, which was overcooked and dry, the sauce was delicious as was the mashed potato, but considering the star should have been the chicken I was pretty disappointed. I am pretty sure the chicken would have been fairly lovely when it came of the sous vide bath, but trying the add the colour and roasting flavour to it only dried out the meat to the extent, that the whole point of using the chefs signature cooking method became truly pointless. What I am failing to say is that it is clear that the person in the kitchen can clearly cook, however this was not an example of their ability to cook well.
At least I can say it finished well on the food front with a desert of chocolate fondant with sweet strawberry parfait ice cream which was stunning, the right level of sweetness to bitter chocolate and the strawberry parfait provided a clean subtle flavour that contrasted well with the fondant.
Anyone who reads my reviews tends to note that I will mention staff within the review somewhere and although I would normally make a point of mentioning them before the meal eaten on this occasion it is worth talking a bit about staff training. Firstly our waiter should not of been waiting on anyone really, not because they were not perfectly nice, but because he had no idea what we were saying, for example my companion was asking about a dishes preparation and the waiter instead took this to be us ordering it (he did not speak good enough English to understand the question), in the end we had to call over the other English speaking member of the front of house team in order to ask any questions. Secondly this other member of staff had no interest in listening to comments we were making even asking us how we felt about the meal. I think if you are paying for this kind of meal the waiting staff should be informed enough to be able to tell you about the dishes they are serving as well as interested enough to care about what customers make of the dishes.
It does make me think that this restaurant could be doing sublime food but instead it was just disappointing. I hope that if I visit this place again they improve.

probably my best fine dinning experience in Manchester so far!
I went there on a Tuesday night to try out their 5 course tasting menue which give you a good overview of their main menue at a «reasonable» price (£25)!
the 5 courses were very nice and the quantity was just enough to feel satisfied at the end of the dinner! my favourite ones were the scallop dish that was cooked perfectly and probably the delicious (and rich) dessert! I just thought that the risotto could have been a bit more original.
we also had the chance to try the cocktails for free (good to start knowing some people in Manchester) that were very nice! had the best old fashioned since i moved in manchester!
the only bad point is that they dont seem to renew their menue often; which is a bit of a shame as after trying it once you dont really want to go again to eat the same thing! but well next time i might give the main menue a go!

5 of us dined here on a Tuesday night to try out their £25 taster menu consisting of 5 courses.
The menu itself was nicely thought out with a clear theme throughout and each course was absolutely delicious! By the end of the meal I was definitely pleasantly full and satisfied. The dessert was particularly good with an added bit of drama… a chocolate sphere arrived, which the waiter then poured hot chocolate all over causing it to melt and reveal an inner centre of chestnut purée and meringe! delicious!
We had the added bonus of knowing the barman through a relation and so the boss very kindly offered each of us an after dinner drink with a choice of a spirit of liquoir, expecting a little digestif shot we were surprised when full-​on professional cocktails arrived at the table!!! Yes sir, that’s how to do business and make potential new regulars happy! :D
Although their full a la carte menu is too expensive to be a regular treat, I think their taster menu is a great affordable option to experience the food here! I know i’ll definitely be coming back to try out their full menu!
Tres bien 63 degrees! :)

If you’re looking for a real good Parisian restaurant, go to 63 Degrees in Manchester. They’ve got the experience nailed to the T!
Booked on the website, got a call the next day from the restaurant to confirm and an email confirmation.
When we arrived we were kindly greeted by the door staff and asked if we wanted to leave our coats then shown to our table. We had the exact same table as when we came last time almost 3 years ago.
I’ll pass on the boring details, very nice service, knowledgeable staff, properly trained.
This restaurant also has the best wine list in town. OK I’m buyest it’s all French. But there is an extensive choice and even the house wines are way above the mark.
The food was absolutely divine! Cooked to perfection, fantastic balance of flavours. The menu is succinct but focused and offers a range of fish, meat and veggie dishes.
The gazpacho was superb, great fresh and ripe tomato flavours, very well seasoned. The sea bass terrine was yummy and definitely tasted of fish that had been caught in the morning.
We both had the duck with a pommes boulangeres pastry and market vegetables. None of that boiled frozen veg.
Finished with the cheese course downed with 1997 port and the lady had the macaroons.
It’s not cheap and it is value for money in the sense that the same deal at MCR house or the French will set you back quite a bit more I reckon.
Can’t say I’ll be back that soon (if only I could) but it’s on top of my restaurant list.

The loveliest boyfriend in the world (mine) booked us in at 63 Degrees for my birthday meal. After gulping a cocktail at Simple, we headed over, feeling a little apprehensive of just how fancy this place was going to be.
Turns out it was very fancy, but not fancy fancy. If you get me. We were greeted by a smiling hostess who gave us an option of where to sit. Menus were brought along, as was a wine list, though we ended up sticking with beer.
The amuse bouche was spinach bread with pine nut cream cheese. This was lovely, with all the comfort of bread-​and-​cheese with delicate subtle flavours taking it to the next level.
For a starter I chose the sea bass tartare. This was amazing — incredibly fresh fish with zingy flavours, simply presented. I’d have been happy with a big bowl of this and a spoon. He opted for an orzo risotto, which was lovely and creamy with tender grains.
He chose the restaurant’s signature dish, the 63 degrees chicken, for a main. I tried a bit and it was definitely better than a lot of chicken that I’ve eaten. The potato in pastry that came with it was pretty exciting too — potato and pastry should go together more often. I had the duck fillet which was great, nicely cooked meat with bold but simple flavours. I ordered a side of potato purée which was essentially very smooth, very tasty mashed potato.
We eschewed desserts in favour of cocktails. Mine was some sort of espresso martini with orange liqueur. It was good. It was really good in fact, I kind of wished it would never end.
I won’t discuss how much the meal cost since I didn’t pay as it was my birthday. I had a truly lovely time here. The atmosphere was super relaxed, with friendly chatty staff and a pretty excellent play list rather than dire muzak (think Lykke Li, the xx, Oh Land and such). I won’t be rushing back as it’s totally out of my regular price range but it’s a great little place to have around for celebrations.

We came to 63 degrees as a celebration meal after hearing great things about the French cuisine.
As we arrived we were greeted by a lovely member of staff who took our coats and seated us at a table by the bar. The décor is lovely, and even though quite a small restaurant, has plenty of seating for couples, small and very large groups.
We wanted to order a bottle of champagne and the bar tender came over to discuss what was available and what he thought may suit best which was a nice touch!
The restaurant prides itself on the use of seasonal ingredients, and I must admit it has been a couple of months since I have been here, when truffles and chestnuts played a strong part in the menu.
SO, to start I had scallops, a favourite of mine, with green leaves and shaved truffle. The scallops were very well cooked, still firm and full of flavour. However, I am not keen on truffles due to their strong aftertaste, but that is not the fault of the chef!
Other members within the party had salmon cooked at a low temperature, this was very nice, it was barely poached so it had a much more delicate flavour and texture than you would have in your usual cooked salmon fillets !
There was also foie gras on the menu. This is only to be expected from a French restaurant, but I wasn’t keen on seeing them support this particular type of pâté due to the way it is produced.
The mains were very good, I opted for the fillet steak. I am very particular when it comes to my steaks, they must be barely cooked, the rarer the better ! I must admit, this may have been one of the best steaks I have ever had. Very rare and juicy, and the flavour was unrivalled. The chestnut mash however, was unrefined and didn’t really work for me as it was full of chestnutty lumps. We had ordered sweet potato mash as an extra side and this was lovely.
As it was a special occasion, 63 degrees went all out on the desserts with sparklers and all sorts ! We all know that the French make brilliant and delicate desserts, and 63 degrees really delivers here.
I would strongly recommend the cocktails here, they are beautiful. They have even let their bartenders have a little more freedom to create their own cocktails and add to the menu as they invent new creations.
Although I am not keen on truffles or chestnuts, i will definitely be going back to 63 degrees, it will just be in a different season with other key ingredients !

I wish i had discovered this place earlier. Everything about this place was absolutely perfect! Not just the good, wine, service… even the deco, ambience, music, restaurant layout of tables, chair to table height, and even the toilet. You can tell so much thought and detail has gone into this place. And the owners really love, enjoy and KNOW what a real good dining experience truly means! Most people think it’s just the food and service. It’s far more than that. It’s everything coming together as one without any single one outshining the other. Everything just seems right and perfect! A three-​course meal and wine did cost us 40 pounds each. But in comparison to other restaurants in the same price range, this is 1 step upin a league of its own.

Lovely family owned French restaurant in the Northern Quarter. Food was superb, wine list was excellent, atmosphere was lovely. Went during Christmas time and was impressed with the quality of the food even with the majority of the restaurant ordering from the Christmas Menu. My boyfriend ordered the namesake 63 degree chicken and talked about it for days after. A little bit more expensive than average, but definitely worth it. Restaurant is quite small/​intimate as well so recommend this one for special occasions. Staff were genuinely welcoming.

A family-​run place (apparently the owners moved from Paris solely to give this venture a go), this is a small place attached to the Light apartment hotel, though independent.
They’ve quite correctly spotted a gap in the market for a mid-​range French place in Manchester. And they’re filling the spot quite nicely, thank you.
About 2/​3rds full on Saturday evening (they’ve not been open long), the restaurant has a nice cosy feel, and not too crowded as smaller places can be.
We started with cocktails: a grapefruit gin and tonic, and a tequila-​and-​pear thing served in a coupe glass. Both were nice, though I found the tequila one a little too sweet for my tastes.
I had an excellent start, with 3 small slices of smoked duck placed in a chestnut «cappucino» (more of a creamy soup). The flavours were all there, especially the duck; in fact, I would have appreciated more duck.
My companion had the snails, which came with some nice sautéed potato slices.
My main was scallops with quinoa. They were well cooked but absolutely criminally under-​seasoned. Thankfully the tables here have salt and pepper, so I was able to fix it myself. My companion had a delicious chicken breast in a morel sauce: succulent and bursting with flavour. It also came with an excellent pot of dauphinois potatoes: not too cheesy or creamy as it often can be.
We also had a side called «Melody of fresh vegetables» — I think something is missing in translation. It turned out to be carrots, squash, and courgette, and I found them all bland and unappetising. Not for me at all.
For dessert we had a rice pudding with a delicious caramel topping, and a decent stab at a pineapple tarte tatin.
Service was friendly but, I felt, a little under-​trained: served the cocktails the wrong way around, tried to recommend «red» to go with my scallops, etc. This is a French restaurant, above all, they should know their wines!
Overall I’d come back here again: it’s early days, and this place really has promise.