Dining in Manchester at San Carlo
Over the Bank Holiday Weekend, I went to the renowned San Carlo restaurant in Manchester (near Kendals off Deansgate) and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you all. Given the number of the various celebrities that have attended this Italian, I thought there would be a better than outside chance of having a good meal. The 'celebrity' angle is somewhat forced down your throat as they seem to prefer displaying photographs of their famous customers to having to buy wallpaper.
Unlike most restaurant reviewers, I will be paying more attention on the wine list rather than the food. The list itself is a little short on detail with customers given the opportunity to but a 'Barolo DOCG' for around £35-40. No mention of the individual producer or estate who made this mythical wine, just the bare bones of the description. If you have a wad of cash buring a hole in your pocket then there is a chalkboard of their special wines that has more detail, but there isn't much on their main list.
The waiters aren't parcticularly brilliant either and seem almost disappointed to be serving someone they've never heard of before. They certainly haveb't spent a great deal of time learning about the food they're serving - even to the point of not knowing whether the veal they were serving was rose or white (rose is good, white is bad).
In short, if you're a wine-lover and want some good food and good, not excessively priced, wine and exceptional service then I probably wouldn't go to San Carlo. What they do very well is provide a busy, vibrant atmosphere that is excellent for people-watching. Particularly if some celebs turn up. Which they duly did in the form of David Gest and Kym Marsh. DG shamelessly worked one aisle of the restaurant, parading up and down shaking hands with all of those fortunate enough to be on his route. Posing for pictures and grinning from ear to ear, it was all quite unsettling. KM, for the most part remained at their table with the other, not-as-famous-as-they-were folk (although she was wearing a suitably risque outfit to look her best for the paparazzi that were waiting outside).
Should you ever find yourselves in this situation, I advise you not to watch the celebrity, but to take the opportunity to watch the other diners. We all seem to be programmed to look at the famous ones about every 5 seconds. This is not to say that you're not giving all of your attention to your wife/ girlfriend/ husband/ boyfriend/ etc as chances are they're not listening anyway but have turned round in their chair and are watching, slack-jawed at the beauty and fame at the other end of the restaurant.
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