M&M Caribbean Spice, 16 years of spicing up peoples lives...
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| Mike and Kisha |
Why It All Started:
I asked the Proprietor / Chef Mike why he set up his own specialist Caribbean Restaurant?... "I'm a Passionate chef and wanted to do my own thing. I was grateful for the experience gained prior to opening my own Specialist Restaurant. I opened M&M 16 years ago, it was almost a lifelong ambition, my creative side was awakened but stifled whilst working for other companies, you just have to break out and go it alone to fulfill your ambitions, it was well worth the risk”.
Early Ambitions:
“I was talking about going it alone from my 19th birthday. I was lucky to gain experience working at the Lord Mayor's Kitchen as Sous Chef and City Art Gallery as Chef and Assistant a Manager. Whilst at my first job I accomplished City & Guild 1,2, & 3 at Salford Tec. It was an important classical grounding helped me accomplish my current standards”.
Brushing Shoulders with Local Celebrates:
I worked at Oscar’s owned by George Best. There was a friendly relationship with George and Gordon Hill together with many +Manchester United players there was Savill’s Club Bar & Restaurant on the upper floors. I often served Sirloin Steak sandwiches cooked on a classic charcoal grill. It was great fun There was also a disco in the cellar called "Bucks Fizz". I met George Best several times in the later years he claimed to remember me but alas I wondered... George was a great guy his friends and fellow football players called him best(y).
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| A sneaky picture of Kisha |
The Team:
The team is unashamedly Caribbean unlike some establishments of many food genres threw-out the City of Manchester that are called "Italian" "Spanish" or even "Japanese", often only their names have any resemblance to their national dishes and with rare exception it sadly shows. Mike the M&M Chef is classically trained with over twenty years proven experience and his mother's influence and Jamaican Roots. Kisha who also cooks, is passionate about her role in the business and so friendly an helpful with the customers. A key difference to dining at M&M's is being served by the Chef and enjoying chatting about the food.
An example of work in the local community is Mikes Well received Monday morning Breakfast Radio Show "Inner City Sounds" on Manchester's Peace FM 90.1 http://www.peacefm.co.uk/?p=407
Ocean Perch (AKA Headless Red) being prepared in the kitchen and is typical of the type of food you will find at M&M.
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| Ocean Perch AKA Headless Red |
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| Mike with his Pea Soup |
To Begin:
For starters had gently spiced and flavorsome Pea Soup with beef, dumpling, sweet potato, yam, butter beans, kidney beans, scotch Bonet Chillies, Thyme and secret spices An outstanding dish and a large portion really is a meal on its own
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| Pea Soup (starter) |
Followed by:
The best ever! Oxtail Stew and healthy Steamed Veg A firm favorite, It of course comes on the bone which is essential for flavor and par for the course with this tasty filling dish. Butter beans and a host of other ingredients make an awesome stew with stunning gravy.
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| Oxtail Stew & Steamed Veg |
Just Desserts:
I was truly full and couldn't justify a desert but was so tempted... The Classic Sponge Cakes with the chefs signature twist served with naughty rum laced cream or extra creamy custard were given a miss on this visit in preparation for the Christmas Feasting season. Tempting cakes of the highest quality are a speciality at M&M. “Sponge Cake is made to my own secret recipe, maybe I could be described as an all rounder but I have a passion for cakes and pastry. I think this is one of the things that sets me apart from the competition”.
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| Daily Specials Board |
Classic Jamaican Fare:
Jamaican Classic Dishes like Salt Fish & Ackee, Jerk Chicken, Rice & Peas and Callaloo are well represented but this is no run of the mill place and Defo not fast food. You might have to wait a little while but thats because its freshly made. The tempo is relaxed and friendly. The pricing is perhaps slightly higher than some Caribbean places but its eat in and the food hygiene standards are impeccable with a five rating on the door. Take away and outside catering is provided for but this is no takeaway and deserves a visit. The kitchen is almost open and if you stand at the bar you can watch the team cooking and having a laugh which shows confidence.
You can follow my culinary travels on twitter @GreedyGuzzler you just have to visit M&M Caribbean Spice it's a Hidden Gem and easily the best place of its kind in Manchester. The Chef is classically trained and passionate about the quality of your gastronomic experience.
Where Is It:
Directions:
Google Maps; Google Maps Link
The Address; 127 Stamford Street, Old Trafford, M16 9LT
Links and Tings:
Manchester Confidential; Manchester Confidential Link
Yelp; Yelp Link
Onion Ring; Onion Ring Link
Trip Advisor; Trip Advisor Link
Google Reviews; Google Review Link
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