We're down for some Christmas shopping on Saturday, staying at the Crowne Plaza here and want to go out for a nice meal on Saturday night. Any recommendations for somewhere close by, ideally on foot? Probably not thinking Indian/Chinese/etc, more like Italian/European.

Ta.

Manchester isn't exactly bursting with decent restaurants in the city centre IMO. However, you might want to try Stock.

Gio's opposite the Midland hotel on Lower Moseley St is pleasant, cheap and really unpretentious.
Very good food though. Can get a bit busy with pre concert diners waiting to pop off to the Bridgewater Hall.

Leonis on Bow Street, off Cross Street is a bit nearer the main shopping centre and is equally nice and friendly.

Don Antonio's on Portland Street, right near China Town is superb. Doesn't look like much but the food is spectacular and again, unpretentious and friendly.

Never had a bad meal in any of the above.

All the above are Italian BTW.

If you fancy traditional English grub, try Sams Chop House (opposite the Royal Exchange Theatre, just off Cross street), or if you fancy pushing the boat out and don't mind a bit of a walk or a short taxi ride, can heartily recommend The Angel.

About a mile away from your hotel, but spectacular food. Bit of a scruffy industrial area,just outside the city centre, but one of the nicest restaurants I've ever been to.

Can't forget the Market Restaurant in the Northern Quarter, which was the first really, really nice European style restaurant in Manchester and has been going for yonks. The Northern Quarter Bar & Grill next door is also very good.

Haven't had anything to eat yet, can you tell?

if you like spanish you could do a lot worse than 'el rincon de rafa' (st johns st off deansgate) best to book tho

dimitris just round the corner (greek :wink:)

+1 for the chop house – makes me hungry just thinkin about it

mexican 'ish…

Panama hatties

good for lunch too!

Tucked away in the northern quarter only about 5 mins from where your staying. Good for lunch too.

http://www.simplebar.co.uk/

Piccolino's – just off Albert Square

We had a CHristmas meal at stock once, really nice food. If you want something more down to earth then either of the chophouses are good, we saw Sir Chris Hoy in Sam's Chophouse last time we went

+2 for Sam's Chop House……..

+1 for Panama Hatty's.

Fab menu, well executed and supported by great staff.