I have driven past the impressive looking Vermilion restaurant many times while attending concerts at the nearby Co-op Live Arena in north Manchester, and was always inquisitive about what is considered to be one of the North West’s most exciting new dining destinations.
When the opportunity arose to visit Vermilion, my curiosity was satisfied. The flower garland on the entrance, which greets diners after they leave the huge car park, sets the exuberant tone for the dining experience. Set on three floors, the Thai, Indian and Asian-influenced restaurant also has a cocktail bar, events space and a wedding hall.
East meets West at Vermilion
The main dining room has a luxurious feel with the huge red windows giving the light a sunny glow, creating a warm eastern atmosphere.
The service you can expect is attentive, yet not obtrusive. Water was offered – and poured, often a good sign of a better class restaurant – after we had been seated. The high level of service continued throughout our visit, with the restaurant not particularly busy. Service might not be as personal at busier times.
The cocktail menu features bespoke offerings, including some very fruity mocktails.
The food menu is extensive, containing the usual Asian dishes alongside many that you might not expect.
My dining partner and I began with a starter of soft shell crab sushi maki – surprisingly, the four pieces were larger than those normally served as sushi. The soft shell crab was rolled with seasoned uruchi rice and avocado and crunchy cucumber, the ingredients nicely complementing one another. It was a good start to our dining experience.
My favourite dish of the night was the beef massaman dumplings. This Thai style dish consisted of slow cooked beef infused with just the right amount of massaman curry.
The prawn toast bao that followed was a little too fatty for my liking and that of my partner. Golden fried, this twist on the Cantonese classic came with a bold and crispy chilli sauce that still did not take the fatty taste away.
Our main of lobster ravioli with Thai yellow sauce was described on the menu as being served in a curry sauce. Instead the pasta parcels with the succulent lobster inside came served in what was more like a soup than a sauce. Not our favourite dish of the evening and something we would not choose next time we visit.
The final countdown: delicious desserts
My dessert of bhapa doi – a smooth, creamy Bengali delicacy made from steamed sweetened yogurt – was served with fruit compote and pistachios. It cleaned the palate and was refreshing.
If you fancy something more fruity, the butterfly mango sticky rice onigiri was a tropical twist on a Thai and Japanese classic. The sweet, creamy coconut rice with juicy mango and coconut cream concluded a different and exciting dinner.
With its opulent styling and menu, Vermilion is somewhere we would visit again for a special occasion, or if we were visiting the Arena for a concert. The whole experience felt stylish, with food that complemented our dining encounter. It was full of eastern promise that was never broken.
Access for all
The restaurant can be easily accessed from the car park. A lift goes to all three floors and there is a disabled toilet on the restaurant floor.
Soft shell sushi maki £15.95, beef massaman dumplings £8.50, prawn toast bao £16.00. Lobster ravioli with Thai yellow sauce £18.50, bhapa doi £7.50, butterfly mango sticky rice onigiri £7.50.
All pictures by Graham Clark
