Podium Restaurant Bar and Lounge @ The Hilton
About
Wine Bars, British, Lounges
Location
Adress: 303 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LQ
Business info
- list_altTakes ReservationsYes
- directions_carDeliveryNo
- groupGood for GroupsYes
- turned_in_notGood For Happy HourNo
- wifiWi-FiFree
Reviews
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Andrew Y.
Been here a couple times. First time was a few months ago and shared a chateaubriand with someone - it came with onion rings I think. Was not bad - a little bit dry if I am honest. Good service though.
The last time I went was last night. The menu I think has changed slightly. I went for the rib eye steak. Tasted really good. A couple people went for the Deansgate Experience for 2 which was a choice of one of the platters - fish, meat or roasted veg (they went for fish) and then the 16oz chateaubriand with 10 shell-on king prawns plus onion rings. And 2 different steak sauces.
We are shared some of the platter between the 4 of us (smoked trout, salmon, mackerel pate, horseradish, bread) and I had a couple of the prawns and an onion ring. I am one of those people who eats the prawn shell - nice flavour, texture. (Plus sucking some of the juices from the prawn head!).
Oh, and had a slice of the chateaubriand! The bit I had was nice and pink so was not dry - was lovely. Overall though, I still preferred the rib eye. As I always say, fat equals flavour! -
Aaron S.
Sadly, despite being a regular to Podium over the past two years or so now, I feel the quality has declined so much over this time to the point it just isn't worth a visit anymore - especially for the price, unless dining from the hotel buffet breakfast, which is still up there with the Radisson Blu with the best hotel breakfast in the city.
Declining food and beverage quality, while still remaining at the high prices as well as the large staff turnover recently (there's a new server every-time), resulting in lower quality service, it makes a visit here more of a chore than a pleasure now which it truly should be.
From randomly closing for conferences and functions with no prior notice to the re-decoration of the bar area which makes ordering food/dining now awkward (they don't even show live sports anymore!) and the fact I have rudely turned away after ordering my omelette (I waited only to be served the wrong meal and then I was told they couldn't do what I asked for and I'd have to order something else or leave AFTER 15 MINUTES)
2* - The only reason for the extra star is the breakfast, which is still pretty overpriced like the bar/restauraunt if you're not staying at the hotel unless you can pick-up the Groupon offer they occasionally run to get it for £10. -
Veronica J.
I have spotted a deal on Groupon that said 'Podium Hilton' restaurant, and decided to give it a try -after all, Hilton is not known for a poor food quality! The deal included two courses (you choice - either a starter with main or main with dessert) and a glass of prosecco, which they were happy to swap for a soft drink or tea. The menu is quite small, but quality is more important than quantity! And I have to say the quality was superb! Sophisticated ingredients (e.g. pigeon or beetroot cured trout), as well as well-done meals was exactly what was expected. Some dishes required quite a hefty supplement. For example, if you wanted a 10oz beef rib eye stake, the surcharge is £7, while for 8oz beef fillet stake its £12. On the a-la carte menu, cappuccino was £4.75. On the other hand, you do not go to Hilton for lower price points.
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Sean M.
Awesome views of the city, but really little other reason to come up. It's Monday evening and I hoped to come up and chill while enjoying the view and some downtime. The place is loud between the music and them seating everyone in the same area. You can't even call the food menu a menu, just some bar snacks. Tasty, but nothing to write home about. I can say I was here, no reason to do it twice.
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William N.
Three courses and a glass of Prosecco August offer from Podium Restaurant - situated in the Hilton Hotel. Lovely choices on the menu, even though on this seasonal deal, and with the usual suspects being at a supplement. Can't go into specifics on the food as the menu is not available online - which would have be useful for reference purposes ! However, I can say that that my dining companions and I (we were 4) very much enjoyed the menu presented to us @ The Hilton. Service was excellent (although they were not busy, given that it was around 8pm on a Saturday evening). The food highlight for me, being a fish and chip "bon bon" with a pea puree, which was a delightful starter, and presented beautifully. A trip to Podium is recommended, and I would re-visit to sample their a la carte menu.