Mr Thomas' Chop House, Manchester

Not really a boozer anymore. Very pricey beer, wine, and food. The steak and kidney pud, onion soup are fantastic. Corned beef hash is not as good as my mum makes and at �11.00 the price isn't either.

Diners get priority over drinkers and in the last few months the Chop house has started to do food in the evening. This has reduced the area for drinkers to roughly 25% of the entire floor space.

Has a clique of regulars who DO get served first and can 'eff' and 'geoff' at will and at a very audable level. My ex girlfriend was subjected to a tirade of vulgar comments by a man old enough to be her grandfather. When i told him that i'd inform the manager he pointed out to me that 'i'm rich, a regular and untouchable' or words to that effect.

Dont believe the hype. This restruant (with minor drinkers facilities) is a decent experience but i'd rather go somewhere thats value for money, with less idiots and actually a true 'traditional' manchester experience. Not a mutant one formed by money makers and geared to southerners and yanks.

10 Jul 2006 13:05

The Albert Edward, Eccles

A really nice Sam Smiths pub. Stone flagged floor. Good cheap ale, dart board, no smoking room, and outside area for the 3 hot dry days that Eccles gets every year. Friendly staff and very clean (no mean feat in Eccles). Nice black and white pics on the wall showing Eccles in days of yore when civic pride existed and there wasn't legions of aggressive youths fighting in the streets every single night. CAMRA Manchester magazine on sale.

10 Jul 2006 12:43