Grafene Manchester Dinner Review: April 2018
Grafene is a unique cutting edge innovative restaurant and bar located in upmarket King Street in Manchester city centre. Owners Paul and Kathryn, with a wealth of experience behind them, used this knowledge to bring Manchester a modern British menu, with food being locally sourced where possible, to all be enjoyed in a relaxed setting.
Décor is an mix of industrial, with earthy coloured upholstered seating, softened with fabrics, fresh flowers and amazing artwork. All this along with the wide-open windows, that allows for masses of natural light, has brought the countryside indoors, vamped up with some city edge.
Seating includes intimate tables for two, booths for larger gatherings with friends or family, and a discreet private dining area, that is offset from the main room, which gives the feeling of privacy without being cut off from the atmosphere.
The worlds first 2D material Graphene, was first isolated by Manchester University, and this has been the inspiration behind the name Grafene. Paul sees this new scientific innovation, to be synonymous with Grafene’s ethos. Paul states, “Grafene is our food and drink interpretation of this exciting new chapter in Manchester’s rich history, and of the excitement and energy there is around its possibilities for science and technology.”
Zack, our server made his introductions, and he was first class, a natural. Good vibes, a warm welcome and looked after us throughout the evening. Even though there was not a mocktail menu, the team had no problems shaking me up some marvellous mocktails, including a virgin mojito and a beautiful berry mix up. Adopting an environmental approach, by using paper straws, made enjoying these drinks even more sweet.
We opted to go full Vegetarian, as if a chef can do veggie then he is a keeper, and I can tell you Head Chef Ben Mounsey delivered. To start, both dishes, Beetroots, granola, spinach, nasturtium, verjus, and the Cep, consommé, truffle, enoki, buttermilk, both beautiful with good earthy, but clean flavours.
Mouth-watering mains, that disappeared of the plates in record time, included the Artichoke, rice, preserved lemon, leeks and the Cauliflower, croquette, Szechuan, white cabbage, nero. Two seriously sensational superb plates of paradise.
Divine, delicious and delightfully indulgent desserts included the Mint chocolate brownie, mousse, oil, parfait and the ‘Sally Cinnamon’, popcorn, nimixtilised melon, granola. Both dishes interesting, innovative and inspiring.
The ambiance and atmosphere were on point, fine dining without feeling stuffy. Flavoursome, flawless and fabulous food delivered with five-star service in a relaxed professional Manchester style. Grafene, Greatness and Gorgeousness!
Thank you for reading 😊
Melanie xx
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What a lovely sounding restaurant I love a good booth at a restaurant as I find them more comfortable and all the courses look delicious!
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It was lovely and yes a booth is so much more snug. The food was outstanding 🙂 x
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What a gorgeous space and presentation of food.
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You have pretty much summed it up in a nutshell Crystal 🙂 x
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I’ve often wondered if I were to move back to England where would I live. I am originally from Northampton. The Midlands holds a special place in my heart. I have some very fond memories of dancing in Manchester. I have to investigate upon my return and take mental note of this place 🙂
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Haha yeah for sure, let me know what you think when you visit on your return 🙂 x
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Ths place looks amazing! I love the granite table tops too! If I ever get to come visit England this will have to be on my list of stops!
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It was amazing! For sure, well worth a visit 🙂 x
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Those desserts look really tasty! I’d love to check this place out next time I’m in the UK
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You must, it is a real experience with some super service and sensational dishes x
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Thiss place looks so amazing! I love the desserts, I have such a sweet tooth. I am sure everything must be yummy .. 🙂
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It was just amazing, we cant wait to go back x
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This is why I enjoy trying out different restaurants so much. I think this place it beyond worth it and it would be nice to give it a try if I were ever in the area. It’s beautiful and the food looks amazing!
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I could not agree with you more Alison, and yes do give the place a whirl. Let me know what you think when you do x
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Always love checking out new places. We tend to swap/share meals so we can try different things. Love the decor at this place!
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We do that too, it makes sense! The decor was gorgeous x
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I’ve never heard of this restaurant but mint chocolate brownie sounds divine x
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the mint choc brownie was beautiful and did not last long x
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What a beautiful and cozy place! And the food looks so delicious!
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It was cosy, snug and the food was just sensational x
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This looks like a lovely place to dine. When we travel we love to check out new restaurants and this looks like a must try.
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It is deffo a must try, I am sure you will love the place x
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Oh wow, the decor is amazing and the dishes look so beautiful!!! It’s true about chefs cooking with veg… if they can create good vegetarian meals they are keepers 😉
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Exactly my point, and the veggie dishes were totally amaze!! 🙂 x
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This place looks awesome! I’ve never been to Manchester, but will keep this in mind if we ever go. Those desserts look delicious!!
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Ooo you must change that soon, so much to see and do here. The food was fab x
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Oh wow this all looks amazing! We are local to Manchester and always eating out there. I will definitely bear this in mind!
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Ooo sounds like this is deffo one for you to try then. Have fun and enjoy the yummy food x
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The atmosphere looks better to me than the food. It looks like one of those food network trendy places where you order dessert for $65 and it’s three bites of something good! It’s wonderful plating, and i love that it looks like each section has a different feel like different rooms in a museum
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Both atmosphere and food were spot on! The cost of a dessert is no where near that, you really are getting great value for money at this place, but you are right in saying that the bites were deffo something good 🙂 x
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What an amazing restaurant! It’s very beautiful and convenient place. I want to have a meal in here.
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You must deffo pop by, well worth a whirl x
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Sounds lovely – I especially liked the comfortable seating (nothing worse than sitting on hard chairs through a meal!). And that chocolate dessert – um, yummy!
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I could not agree more Jenny comfort is key. Mmm it was scrummy x
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This post made me hungry! Food looked delicious and the restaurant looked really cool! I hope you had an amazing time!
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Glad to inspire you Lauren! It was amaze and a lovely evening x
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Grafene looks wonderful. I love the look and decor of the restaurant and the story behind the name is very interesting. The food looks amazing and it sounds like it has a great vibe.
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You have got it spot on, great place, fab food and a really nice vibe x
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This place sound like its right up my alley! I love great food and great ambience! If I am ever in town I will be sure to check it out.
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For sure, I am sure that you will have fun and enjoy some fab food too x
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Oo all of this food looks amazing! The desserts especially catch my eye…those shards of chocolate 🙂
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It was fabulous food, and such a tasty treat – loved the place x
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This restaurant looks so chic! I love all the decor.
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The decor has been done really well and it works x
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You’re filling us with loads of ideas for places to eat in Manachester! We can’t wait to visit next month. Love the look of the dishes and the decor too!
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Aw thank you so glad to hear that and I am excited for you to visit. Let me know how you get on when you do and if you need any hints and tips of where to go/what to see and do give me a shout x
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What a fantastic dining experience to have at Grafene.. The food looks exceptional, beautifully cooked, exquisitely presented and of the highest quality.
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It was an excellent experience and made for a perfect evening out x
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Looks like a great place to eat. I will definitely have to check this out. Thanks for the great review.
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Yes do and let me know how you get on Holly – Have fun x
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This looks like the kind of place I would love. The ambience, cocktail and food all look amazing!
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Haha yeah for sure, it is well worth a visit x
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I am a great supporter of establishments that try to use locally sourced products where possible and this seems like a lovely place
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I love that about the place too, and the dishes were just first class x
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Glad to hear it and definitely made me want to visit this place myself
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You must, such a lovely place, and the food is amazing 🙂 x
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Mmm the food here looks amazing. Especially the desserts. The picture of that mousse….. 👌
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The desserts were divine and just super tasty stuff x
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The food looks delicious and the place is cosy and comfy for me. I can’t help looking at the desserts over and over.Haha
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Haha I can see why yummy desserts along with a cosy setting is a winner x
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The ambiance of the place looks so romantic and cozy! Love their plating too!
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I could not agree with you more Steph, it was first class x
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This sounds like such a fab restaurant, I love when you find somewhere good to eat and an atmosphere that’s fine dining but not so uptight, brilliant. The decor is everything, I would love to go just for that but the food also looks super yummy.
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Exactly, it was relaxed but with polished service , delicious dining and gorgeous decor x
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I love the look of this restaurant the interior looks really cool and the food looks really impressive too! I’m going to make a note of this for next time I’m up in Manchester.
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Yaya, let me know how your visit goes, I am sure that you will have a fab visit x
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I have looked at their website and by looks of things, they have not spared any expense to make themselves known. I am already intrigued at their menu and the food they have to offer. Love this review.
John M
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Exciting stuff, and yes they really have gone all out John. I can see why and thank you for such lovely feedback – much appreciated x
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Oooo this looks fabulous, I am in Manchester next week so will try and find time to vsiit
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Result, this is perfect timing then. Let me know how it goes and have fun x
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What a cool looking place and as a vegetarian this is so good to read and the food sounds amazing.
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The vegetarian food was just super sensational and I cant wait to go back x
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The food and cocktails all sound amazing and I love it when a restaurant has fresh flowers instead of artificial ones!
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Yeah, this place delivers on all points for sure x
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I really love good food, but when the presentation is so pretty thats even better. I love the aesthetics of this restaurant!
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Both worked really well together and create a wonderful place to enjoy dinner x
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This place looks amazing. I love the decor. The presentation of the meals is divine.
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Presentation of both the restaurant and the food were just incredible x
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oh thanks for this next time in in Manchester i will make sure to pop in
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My pleasure, and I am sure that you will have an amazing time x
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That looks like a great restaurant! And all that food looks amazing. I really want that chocolate dessert.
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It was indeed, the place is well worth a visit x
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The food looks immense, I always tend to choose veggie when i gknout too so it’s good to know of places close to us for it x
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Immense is a good word Jenni, and yes the veggie dishes were spot on 🙂 x
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Oh this sounds and looks amazing! Can’t beat a great place to visit for dinner that goes that extra mile too.
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It was a fab visit, and the place is well worth a whirl x
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Totally with you about chefs who can create good veggie/vegan dishes. So good to have something which isn’t the same old cliched dishes. Glad you enjoyed x
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I could not agree with you more, food with a twist is nice to enjoy x
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Love the decor in this place Melanie – it’s really funky and different to anything I’ve seen before. Those desserts though, definitely think I’d need those if I ever visited 😉 x
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It is all about the desserts and decor for sure, loved the place. Yeah pay them a visit for sure x
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Ooh Grafene looks lovely – love the interior and those chairs are lovely! The dessert looks yummy too 🙂
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I went to Grafene recently for my 30th with friends. Totally agree with your experience of it being fine dining but not pretentious 🙂 My fave course was dessert – the melon & popcorn combo worked amazingly well. Loved it.
Lianne x
http://www.liannemarissa.co.uk
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Ooo it was fab and glad you had a wonderful experience too. Yes, the food was lush 🙂 x
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