Australasia (Spinningfields)

• Wine collection is fit for a king and the food
• The ambiance of the place is exceptional
• Despite its clear lack of natural light it is very comfortable and modern
• I must also note that the service was exceptional with a great drinks list
• The pork belly was tough (near to the point of being uneatable) and tested our 100% record of never sending food back to the kitchen
• The tuna was nice however we were also disappointed by the wonton and duck which were mediocre dishes
• The pork belly was an exceptionally bad dish
• The others were not as bad but I would still have expected more given the price I paid
• If the people I was eating with were incessant on eating there
• The entrance to Australasia is an impressive glass shaped pyramid
• Through which is a staircase that leads down into the glamorous beige dining room
• Also available are larger main plates for those diners who wish to follow a standard three course format
• 12.50) that was really tasty
• The tempura was well seasoned with a batter that was lovely and light
• Both the crab and courgettes were nicely cooked with the crab proving to be fleshy and moist
• There was watermelon with feta which was refreshing and delicious and smoked duck with cucumber that could have been smokier in flavour
• Also on the plate were some seafood options including tempura prawn with goat&rsquo
• A lovely pairing of salmon with squid ink rice
• There was also a vegetarian piece contained a crunchy selection of vegetables and was fragrant from the use of dill
• In all the futomaki was really good
• Note was the wasabi which came to the table whole and was freshly grated then and there
• 12.50) were plump and juicy and nicely seared with a chilli caramel
• Accompanying the scallops was a fabulous pork belly which was tender and intense with flavour
• Especially as the pork belly really worked with the scallops
• 22.50) with miso sauce offered a beautifully cooked piece of fish that flaked wonderfully and was velvety smooth in texture
• The accompanying miso sauce was decent in flavour but was slightly runny
• We continued our journey of Australasia with some meats
• 22.50) from the robata grill with with sesame
• It was somewhat disappointing as it was slightly chewy and a little overcooked
• All of which were nicely done
• Roasted aubergine with miso mustard (£
• Robata grilled asparagus with sweet sesame oil (£
• 4.50) was creamy and smooth with a pleasant sweetness to it
• 7.50) with raspberry sorbet and a chocolate sauce was delectable
• Was soft and gooey with a decadent chocolate flavour
• Australasia is one of the preeminent destination restaurants in Manchester and deservedly so
• It was the best dinner I ever had in my life
• Australasia is definitely a 5* restaurant
• One of the best meals I have ever had
• Oysters form the core of the small eats with a decent number of veg dishes as well
• The big plate menu is limited but has a number of side dishes to make a meal around it
• Nice drinks menu with refreshing cocktails
• Except for the teriyaki chicken skewers that were overdone all the others were nice with the scallops comming out as a clear winner
• At a price point of GBP 40+pp the expectation from food is much higher
• The ambience is calm and relaxed
• Unfortunately the hype is more than what it is
• Everything was good and OISHIIIIII DELICIOUS
• Australasia is my favourite place in Manchester
• Beautiful white washed interiors with lots of attention to detail
• We had a fabulous server I think her name was Camillia who was warm and friendly (and so were other members of staff)
• Cheesecake we enjoyed it all and I mentioned in passing it was my partners birthday
• They brought out an extra icecream with Happy Birthday on which was a lovely touch

Read More