Bistro West 156 in Manchester

Food was lovely, freshly made and the portions were huge (we had to take a doggy bag home!) The staff were really friendly and welcoming - thank you. The set menu is great midweek and very reasonably priced. Would most definitely recommend.

Staff are so inconsiderate. I booked a table for four asking for two highchairs and a pushchair space. When we arrived with two hungry kids, we were offered a tiny table opposite which, were sitting the most overweight people I have ever seen, so we could not even pull our chairs out to put a handbag in let alone ourselves and staff refused to do any re-arrangements or offer us any other tables. So so disappointed. Rarely see such ignorant people these days!!

I love this place!! Can see why its so busy.. Will be back soon :)

Had a meal for 15 one Saturday afternoon. Service was wonderful along with the food, the set menu was very good value and the food of a high standard, especially for 15.

Came in for lunch with my other half and I've got to say that was one if the nicest minestrone soups I've ever had abd the roast veg wrap was just heavenly!

The best restaurant in Didsbury. Great menu and specials are always good. Staff are always very friendly and attentive.

Great salt and pepper squid. The staff are friendly and very accommodating.

Menu was fabulous and the service really good. My main, a Moroccan chicken concoction I thought was dry and spent too long under the grill in my opinion. My partner loved her dish. Credit to the chef who apologised and didn't charge for my main. Just wasn't my night...More 3.5 than 4.

Went here for dinner on Thursday night. Didn't need to book. Great atmosphere, not too busy but still lively. Great service from the waitress and the owner (I'm guessing he was the owner?) 2 course menu was good, everyone enjoyed themselves and the portions were pretty big. Would definitely go back if in the area.

I found the menu here is as varied as it’s creative, with an interesting mix of wholesome and hearty goodness and Eastern influenced dishes.My husband and I chose from the main menu and gulped it down with a bottle of Arpeggio Bianco de Sicillia 2005.King prawn crostini (peeled prawn tails pan fried in garlic, ginger and chilli on toasted ciabatta and baby leaf salad, is not a first date dish. Your potential beau is likely to pass out from your fiery garlic breath before you’ve even seductively whispered, “pass the salt” but it sure is a cheeky dish. Prawns that look like they’ve been pumping iron in the gym are given that extra zing factor by the sharpness of ginger and chilli. Lush.The Devilled crab cake with sour cream, herb dressing and baby leaf salad has that Oriental edge to it. There’s no faffing around with dinky portions here. It’s a man sized crab cake - rich flavoursome with a powerful kick of something spicy. The only let down was that the batter could have been slightly crispier to contrast with the smoothness of the devilled crab.Duck is always a winner at 156. True to form the honey roast duck breast with cabbage, bacon, new potatoes and greenssliced through with as much ease as soft cheese. One of the things I love about 156 is the respect it has for vegetables. It gives them as much plate time as the meat, always devising new forms of presentation. The creamy cabbage and bacon, pepped up with whole grain mustard could be a dish in its own right.Even I was amazed by this point that I could stuff any more into an already overcrowded belly but bring it on as they say. And 156 did in the form of raspberry shortcake biscuits stacked with vanilla cream and fresh raspberries. One word – sublime. When asked by my husband whether it was cream or ice cream, I, in a state of raspberry heaven replied: “Mmmm, it’s sooo creamy but frozen like ice.” Hmmm ice cream, perhaps? The words “Remind me why I married you” took shape in his mind.Even I am not so blinded by love to recognise Bistro 156 is not without its flaws – on a busy night you can be waiting quite some time between courses which is the problem of having a small kitchen. The portions are overly generous too. How’s this a negative? You may ask, but it is hard finding clothes with an elasticated waist band.There is something totally charming about this bistro. Is it the intimacy, chatty waiting on staff, comfort food or the fact I’m a hopeless romantic that leads my nose through their door time after time? I couldn’t tell you but I’ll let you know if I find out.