Dishes from Simon Rogan's new Manchester restaurant, Mr Cooper's, revealed
Simon Rogan's highly-anticipated new restaurant has today revealed a list of typical dishes ahead of its opening later this week.
Highlights at the 150-seat Manchester restaurant and bar will include smoked eel torte with lovage and pork belly; chipotle polenta with hot smoked salmon; cabbage-leaf baked halibut with broad beans; and Cumbrian rib steak with truffle pudding. The desserts are equally inventive, with the chocolate pizza, and the peanut parfait with sweet cucumber syrup, standing out in particular.
Guests will also be able to choose from 50 wine bins, with 20 varieties available by the glass.
The new restaurant in Manchester's Midland Hotel, Mr Cooper's House and Garden aptly features a garden room, a wall of plants, a gazebo, and a 30-foot (nine metre) tall tree. It marks Rogan's second foray into the city's growing dining scene, following the March opening of The French, which won The Good Food Guide 2014's "Best Newcomer" award.
It's been a good year for the seemingly-unstoppable Rogan, whose most recent accolades include winning the title of best UK restaurant in the Good Food Guide 2014, in addition to his two Michelin stars last year. He was also a double winner at this year's Catey awards.
Rogan's most famous restaurant, L'Enclume, in Cartmel, Cumbria, is often seen as particularly characteristic of his originality and style, with a rural location allowing him to experiment with locally-sourced, sustainable ingredients in new and unexpected ways.
A prolific restaurateur and chef, Rogan also manages Rogan & Co, and pub The Pig & Whistle; runs "culinary research project" and chef's table Aulis; and also oversaw the success of London 'pop-up' Roganic from 2011-13.