Harvey Nichols Second Floor Brasserie, Manchester

It's a warm end of summer evening and what better way to spend it than an evening out with friends. Harvey Nichols Second Floor Restaurant Bar and Brasserie supplied the perfect backdrop for the occasion. On entering the stark reality of what is consumerism at it very best, we climbed the two floors filled with more brand names than you can shake a stick at before we arrived at the vastness that is the Second Floor.

Once seated the staff were quick to service our needs, with a menu in hand we ordered a bottle of house Champagne £34. Whilst that staff member hurried of to fulfil our order we had decided on the delights that were to follow. Choosing from the Tempted menu 2 courses for £12 or 3 courses for £15 both my good friend and I opted for the Asian Tuna followed by the Salmon dish whilst her husband selected the Chorizo salad followed by the curry dish.

Our Champagne arrived as we finished ordering and was opened and poured whilst we caught up on the days events, the bubbles were full of flavour and the champagne was dry and crisp without losing the quintessential fruitiness accustom with this nectar. As we rounded up our starters arrived perfectly timed. The Tuna was a nice light starter although the tuna was a little over done to my standard (I like my tuna seared) but not in an over cooked way and the 'salad' was bursting over the top. The chorizo was served in a deep bowl and looked so appealing. So far so good.

It wasn't long before staff were hovering around filling our glasses with the last of champers and the table cleared for mains. This did not take long before the dishes made their entrance. The salmon was cooked in a pan and served on a bed of peas although sides would have been advised the portions were more than ample. The meal itself was of good standard with the salmon having a crispy outing with the moistness being retained. The Curry on the other hand was bland but this isn't a curry house and they do cater for a wide audience to perhaps that is why they weren't so daring.

Once clearing the plates away and we were shocked by the little amount of time we had spent here and not wanting our evening to end we declined dessert in favour of another bottle of wine. With the house Champers being such good quality we decided on the house white a Sauvignon Blanc. In contrast this was quite sweet in comparison not like I remembered in times gone by. However it didn't take long for the freshness of this grape to shine through.

Overall the night went without a hitch, the service was smooth and the food was gracious. The winning factor however was the price coming in at £30 per head which include 2 courses, champagne and wine.