Saints & Scholars Cafe Bar Restaurant

Saints and Scholars Cafe Bar Restaurant
Didsbury
Manchester
M20

Phil, Dave and I had lunch here on Friday 12th May 2000. We wanted to compare this establishment against it’s sister, Saints & Scholars in Styal (see previous reviews).

Friday was a sunny, warm day, but we decided to forgo the tables on the pavement - it was a little shady, and the traffic was just too much. We were the only diners in the back of the place - which looks as though it’s a recent addition - though we were later joined by a few more.

The “specials” board looked interesting - but was not priced up. The young waitresses seemed not too concerned with us, and there was some confusion in getting the prices.

Now, Saints and Scholars in Styal has very reasonably priced specials - Business lunches of two courses from £6.95, but here, even a starter of Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil salad was £5.95. Most other specials were between £12.95 and £17.95 - we felt that the old saw “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” rang a little too true. Maybe the “captive market” that is Didsbury can warrant these prices, but it was a little too rich for us poor working folk!

Nevertheless, we ordered from the same menu as in Styal - Phil had Chili (with extra chips) Dave had the Greek Salad (again with extra chips) and I tried the Salade Japenoise - Duck slices served on a salad base with a honey-flavoured dressing.

Service again failed to match expectations, and it was after prompting - and over half an hour waiting - that the meals arrived. One of the waitresses busied herself for most of that time writing up the specials board - something I feel should have been done out of hours, and not in the main dining room - the thought of all that chalk dust brought back memories I’d rather were left alone!

Phil’s Chili was a good helping, and initially was thought to be rather good. Dave’s salad was again generous, and my dish arrived with the duck piping hot over the salad.

The Chili had a certain sweetness which became a little overpowering towards the end - my Salade was similarly slightly over-honeyed. These are not complaints - everyone has different tastes - and I’m sure many would find the flavours ideal.

The bill, including three pints of lager, and two glasses of wine, came to £38.

The verdict is that there is plenty of promise in this establishment, but there was a distinct lack of attention to detail, and a high price tag.