Good Food Guide Recommended Restaurants in Cheshire

Top Swiss Chef Michael Riemenschneider who runs The Abbey in Penzance, Cornwall has taken over the kitchen at Juniper Restaurant in Altrincham. Michelin-starred owner Paul Kitching has sold up and moved to Edinburgh and, once he had heard of Michael’s culinary talent, he persuaded him to transport his talents to Manchester. The fiercely ambitious 26-year-old chef and restaurateur plans to reopen Juniper by the end of the month once refurbishment is complete. The Good Food Guide 2009 has awarded The Abbey 6/10, indicating: “Exemplary cooking skills, innovative ideas, impeccable ingredients and an element of excitement.” The review states that Michael’s “creative and confident cooking has made quite a splash locally. Sourcing and timing of materials are both admirable and combinations well considered, be they pigeon with foie gras and spinach and an ‘intense’ ragout made from the leg meat, the more adventurous langoustine ‘cooked in a meaty veal stock’ with pearl barley, broad beans, and asparagus (the standout dish at inspection) or halibut with jellies of pickle and cucumber.” The Evening Standard commented that: “You’d have a long search for any food this good in London”. Meanwhile Riemenschneider confirmed he is to lead his brigade each night to replicate the winning formula that has seen The Abbey lauded by The Guardian which gushed “….new chef Michael Riemenschneider has created a menu to die for.” That menu, featuring cuisine Michael describes as “classic French with British influences and a scattering of inspiration from around the Continent,” will now appear in Altrincham. So committed is he to the quality and freshness of his ingredients Michael has arranged for a Newlyn fisherman to deliver daily the fish which will shine on a menu constantly updated by what’s just been landed from the Atlantic. ...more information

21 The Downs - Altrincham - WA14 2QD - 0871 811 4343

This gem of a French restaurant is tucked away near Manchester Airport and is a byword for excellent food. In business now for more than 30 years, the Moss Nook relies on a rock-solid reputation which has never faltered over the years. Great fish menu, meats delicately sauced and one of the best wine lists in the region at some 15 pages long. Choose from the a la carte or the 'surprise' tasting menu. Open for lunch (Tue-Fri) and dinner (Tue-Sat). ...more information

Ringway Road - Manchester South - M22 5NA - 0871 5296634