Dinner at Muse...

I enjoy going to restaurants in an area I have not visited before, so this week I was happy to dine at Muse*, a bar and eatery which is located in the pretty village of Uppermill in Greater Manchester. Muse is owned by the actor Rob Norbury and the venture is set in a pretty, rural area. The stone building adorned with hanging baskets of flowers creates an inviting first impression and inside, the contemporary style continues with exposed stone walls, plush leather booths, neon signs and a sweeping bar area which serves an eclectic cocktail menu. We were warmly welcomed and led to a table in the spacious dining area; the windows overlook the outdoor terrace and a wall of plants adds a tropical air to the space. The menu is varied, with a good selection of starters and sharers, flatbreads, skewers, salads, grill dishes and mains. I was impressed by the variety of vegetarian and vegan options too, something which is often surprisingly lacking in many restaurants.

I went for a starter of tempura soft shell crab with Asian salad and sweet chilli and ginger sauce. The tempura batter was light and golden and the succulent crab worked well with the tangy salad, while the sauce added a sweeter contrast. 

My dining companion decided on the gourmet burger sliders topped with Monterey Jack cheese, lettuce and tomato and served in brioche buns. The sliders made an appetising starter and these are also great to share. 

I consulted the cocktail menu and found a well-rounded offering of classics and more intriguing creations such as the rhubarb sour and the raspberry and cucumber crush. I went for a Rose Bellini and the combination of fragrant rose syrup and prosecco made this a pleasant aperitif, perfect for a summer evening. 

On to mains and I ordered the halloumi curry; this was my first time having a curry made with halloumi and it was creamy and mild with a subtle kick of spice while the addition of butternut squash, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes and chilli spinach added a wealth of flavour. Fluffy saffron rice and naan bread completed this tasty dish which I would order again.

A friend had already recommended the skewers which are something of a signature dish at Muse, so my dining companion chose the mixed grill skewers and he was not disappointed. The plate arrived groaning under the weight of two skewers, laden with chicken and beef fillet, sausage, gammon and roast vegetables the tender meat was complemented by a dressing of Sriracha mayonnaise and the addition of charred piegata bread. This was a hearty main course packed with tasty flavours and ideal to satisfy a larger appetite. 

We also indulged in side orders of truffle Parmesan fries and hand cut chunky chips, both of which were a treat!

On to dessert and I have to say that the Nutella gnocchi alone make a trip to Muse worthwhile, they were crispy and light, reminiscent of a mini doughnut and the Nutella filling was lovely with the salted caramel ice cream and chocolate sauce.

My choice of New York style baked cheesecake with strawberry compote and granola was summer on a plate, with a burst of sweetness from the strawberries, welcome texture from the granola and an impossibly light baked cheesecake which was as good as any I tasted in New York. 

There are several things I loved about Muse, not least the modern interior, delicious food and drink but special mention must go to the service as well. I have spoken before about how much poor service ruins an experience for me, even when the meal itself is tremendous, and service at Muse was attentive and swift throughout from the friendly team. All in all, a lovely evening and I look forward to dining at Muse again. 

Muse 

27 High St

Uppermill 

Oldham 

OL3 6HS

http://museuppermill.com

What do you all think, do you like the sound of Muse and which of these dishes would you like to try? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

*I was invited to review Muse, this meal was complimentary. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest.