Stock
Manchester - reader comments
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"We
had a very nice meal in what is a very
nice restaurant. As your review says, the prices are quite
expensive although your 2 for 1 voucher came in handy."
- matt love, stockport 8/3/08 (visited on a friday afternoon) |
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"Impressive architecture
and a superb wine list make this one of the best places in Manchester
to conduct a business meal or have a romantic meal. Stock is a great
place to spend the evening and live Friday jazz nights, together
with regular opera nights, make it a worthy destination. As seems
to be the norm in grand dining environments, prices are slightly
on the high side although there's plenty of Special Offers available
(including 2 for 1 through this website or with a Hi-Life card).
Most pasta dishes were £7.50 with mains averaging around £19,
although £6.95 for Gnocci rising to £19.95 for T-Bone
Steak isn't too bad. I certainly couldn't grumble at spending £13.50
on the lunchtime menu for the tasty Gnocchi di Melanzane starter,
which could have easily been a main course, and the Pollo Alla Vesuviano
main course, a large breaded chicken escalope topped with tomato,
cheese, oregano and asparagus. Like Karims, in an equally impressive
building around the corner, the soundtrack of pop tunes didn't really
suit the venue although I've already booked a return visit for one
of the live jazz nights and have been impressed with their previous
opera evenings. I may even wear my tux - certainly wouldn't feel
out of place here!"
- neil, Manchester Restaurants 15/2/08 (visited on a friday lunchtime) |
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"Reading
these reviews prompted me to put down my own thoughts on our visits
for a couple of the themed Opera Nights. We've attended two of these
events so far and they were both excellent occasions. the format
is a champagne and canope reception followed by a good quality
set meal to the accompaniment of excellent opera. A trio of professional
singers give a humorous and polished performance of popular opera.
The classy dining room is a perfect venue with
good accoustics and visibility. Pricewise at about £45 it's
not cheap but in my book is still value for money.
The big problem for me on both occasions was in paying the bill.
The proceedings concluded at about 11pm and then it was mayhem.
About 30 people in a queue for their credit cards to be processed
via one or maybe two phone linked terminals. Half an hour later..........
Slightly takes the gloss off a good occasion. Stock needs to find
a way round the problem or else it will turn off the customers."
- ian, stockton heath 26/10/07 (visited on a thursday evening, special
event) |
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"Like
the previous reviewer, I also visited Stock this weekend after reading
Gordo's review on Manchester Confidential - I don't know why as
I have never agreed with one of their reviews yet and, let's face
it, who actually believes anything that Gordo says about these restaurants
who obviously pay him!?! I had exactly the same experience as the
previous reviewer - over-priced, average food and appalling
service. I ordered lamb on a bed of lentils. It was alright
but I'd love to see the size of the chef's bedroom if that was a
'bed' of lentils - there was enough to feed a third world country
- they should have renamed the dish "piccolo agnello in una
benna delle lenticchie" (a small bit of lamb in a bucket of
lentils). Like the previous reviewer points out - the music
choice is loud and inappropiate for such a beautiful
building, the wine list is great and the
clientelle is more upmarket than most - although
many also seemed to be as equally annoyed at the poor service
and average food as we were. One other thing - they charge
10% service charge on the bill then prompt you to add a further
gratuity when you pay by credit card - daylight robbery
- especially as 20% at an establishment this overpriced would pay
for a full meal at many better Italian restaurants in town."
- amy, cheshire 8/5/07 (visited on a friday evening) |
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"Now
I'll be up front about this review - I want to love Stock -
the building is impressive and the wine list is
superb. The choice of traditional Italian dishes
is fantastic and, what's more, they accept Hi-Life
so I can get 2 meals for the price of 1. The last 2 times I've been
there though I was left very disappointed and somewhat more skint
- the words 'mega' and 'expensive' are often used
together in describing this place. I had 2 friends over from Italy
last night, so decided to give it another go. I'd also read Manchester
Confidential's so-called 'food reviewer' Gordo giving it the thumbs
up - although this is the same guy who described Linen as the best
restaurant he'd ever been to before it even opened and admitted
in the same review he hadn't even eaten any food there! Obviously
- whoever pays his wages gets a good review. Unfortunately, Stock
were not paying me and even if they did, they still wouldn't have
got a glowing reference...
"First
of all, the service - it's been described as 'dire'
in many reviews I've seen. I couldn't agree more. The menu does
warn that there can be a long wait as the dishes are all cooked
to order. 40 minutes though. Is that reasonable!?! The place is
largely full of business people and I could see
many around me getting agitated about having to wait for service
- a couple of tables even got fed up trying to get the waiter's
attention to ask for the bill, they simply got up and paid at the
till on the way out. It wasn't that busy and there's no shortage
of otherwise friendly waiters - pity is they just
seem to walk up and down trying their best to avoid any customer
requests. Even the manager seems to have been to the Italian school
of training. Nice suit and looking good is more important than actually
getting involved and getting your hands dirty.
The
wine list saves Stock - a superb choice taking
in all the regions of Italy, much to the delight of my Italian friends.
The music doesn't compliment the place - rather
than playing opera or classical, which would sound great in this
'cathedral like' domed environment, you get Robbie Williams and
various other pop songs played quite loudly. Stock do offer opera
nights, however the prices get even steeper still, if that's indeed
possible.
"The
food is ok - nothing special - but at these prices
you expect more. Like the previous reviewer, my veal was
noticeably greasy whilst the nondescript seafood
platter was incredibly overpriced at £12. In the
toilets, which themselves aren't very well maintained, I overheard
4 businessmen talking about how disappointed they
were with their meal and I have to say, that probably summed up
my experience too."
- matthew, manchester 4/5/07 (visited on a thursday evening) |
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"Stock
restaurant used to be great. Now it is awful beyond belief.
The service is lethargic, and the staff
seem clinically depressed. The maitre d' was aggressive
when we complained about the squid that tasted of, well
nothing actually. The veal was greasy, and tried
to slither away. And don't mention the bill! Please,
if you like good food, never come here"
- geoff sloan, manchester 3/4/07 (visited on a friday evening)
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