The Trading Route — Restaurant in Manchester

The food was excellent, and reasonably priced. We especially liked the wine selection available in the little shop and the waiver of corkage. Everyone we spoke to was lovely, but the service was really lacking. We arrived at 1500. We were seated by a very friendly lady but no drink order taken. We waited about 10 minutes and then my friend decided to just go and collect a bottle of wine himself. The young lady helped him add it to our bill but said she’d bring it over with glasses. This took another 5-10 minutes. Bear in mind no other server had been to the table in this time, so if we hadn’t served ourself, we wouldn’t have had a drink. We had been advised that there was a 25minute delay on food. But by 1530 when she brought our wine we had to ask her to take our food order because no one had been over. I don’t even think the woman working the little shop and the front door was even working the floor - but she was the only one we interacted with until the end.

A card on our table said our table was needed for another reservation at 1630, but our food didn’t come until 1615. The food was great. The wine was great. We said nice things to our waitress when she came to collect our plates. We looked at the dessert menu, decided what we were going to order, and she brought us the bill… guess they were ready for us to leave. It was kind of galling because there were plenty of tables available, and we were more than willing to sit and spend more money.

All the staff looked harassed, and all the customers looked a bit frustrated. So overall it’s a service issue. If recommend people go here, but a few small changes could make a...

Had been looking forward to trying Trading Route for a while, so the new 50% off rotisserie chicken deal was the perfect time.

As soon as we arrived it got off on the wrong foot. No one to welcome you or to even tell we had booked a table. After waiting at the bar and no one saying anything, we had to walk to the other side of the restaurant. We were then told people were still sat at our table (it was 18:45 when we'd booked for).

We went to the bar again, I was then told the Manchester Union Pale wasn't on as they hadn't changed the barrel yet. I'd been looking forward to an ice cold beer in the trademark chilled glasses. I'd have liked to have been offered this for when we sat down, but I felt I was being 'forced' to take something else. The first alternative was non alcoholic.

When we sat down, maybe 10-15 mins late, the table hadn't been wiped and there was a crisp packet shoved down the side of the seat.

Anyways on to the food. The roast chicken was good (although my wife suggested Costco's is better) but not great. When it's the only thing you do, it should be outstanding. The gravy it comes in was unspectacular. I'd have liked a crispier skin.

The potatoes were great, probably the highlight. I'm glad we got two portions. Oh btw, only four of the seven sides are available on the 3 for £14 offer. Despite all being in the section with the big star suggesting otherwise.

Big win was the romesco dip. Tastes fantastic.

I'm glad we tried it. Service all over the place put a dampner on it. Very much doubt...

Was really excited about this place and kept my eye out for the opening date, as i work in the same building… but ultimately i left really disappointed with my experience.

I ordered the chicken sandwich and roast potatoes. The chicken was cold…like refrigerator cold. Which normally you could expect from a shop, but when you see signs everywhere saying “hot chicken” and on social media saying “come down and try the hot chicken sandwich” and you can see rotisserie chickens behind the bar, but then you receive a stone cold chicken sandwich - which doesn’t taste all that fresh, it just leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I will say the bread was a nice focaccia, so that was something. The roast potatoes were rock solid and honestly felt like they had just been reheated as they were very hard and small. I’d add uncomfortable to eat.

I can’t comment on the other food although the couple next to me ordered a half chicken and said that wasn’t particularly warm either, but in terms of pricing, they have a whole chicken listed for £22 which i just can’t justify paying for. I’m sure there are a lot of logistics in the background that i am unaware of for pricing, but for a whole chicken and no sides other than some pickles, I’m struggling at the price point.

The only other thing i’ll say is for a lager house (as they claim to be), seeing only two beers on draught, is also disappointing.

Staff seemed friendly and helpful. The layout is what you would expect. Sadly, won’t...