Latin American restaurant MNKY HSE has brought its distinct brand of Mayfair bling to Manchester, the lively day-to-night venue adding a pop of colour to Lloyd Street.
It would be easy to write off the new 102-cover arrival with its vibrant décor, theatrical open kitchen and own nightclub as an Insta-friendly, see-and-be-seen sort of venue, but what MNKY HSE lacks in vowels it makes up for when it comes to the food. Spanning everything from sushi and ceviche to tacos and grill dishes, everything on the menu is designed to be shared, with luxurious flourishes – truffle, Wagyu, caviar – dotted throughout.
Our grilled shishito peppers were unashamedly salty, the perfect snack with a cold beer or chilled cocktail, while prawn tempura was light and crisp with a punchy kimchi mayo. Smoked beef tacos were picture perfect but also delivered in terms of flavour, juicily tender and humming with chilli heat.
From the ceviche section, our hamachi tiradito was fresh and delicate, the yellowtail doused in a heady truffle dressing and topped with fresh black truffle, while the earthy MNKY truffle rice with wild mushrooms was an utter delight, rich and comforting. In fact, there’s definitely plenty to please truffle fans here.
From the Robata grill section, our lamb chops anticucho were plump and perfectly pink, sweet and smoky from an aji panca marinade, while kombu roasted Chilean seabass with miso was simply stunning, each umami-rich mouthful eliciting a huge grin. A side of roasted heritage potatoes was no afterthought, either, gloriously golden and served with a creamy Peruvian huancaina sauce, while a cheesecake dessert was smooth and silky with strawberry flakes, corn biscuits and pine nuts providing texture.
None of this comes cheap, of course, and it would be easy to rack up an eye-watering bill, especially if you opt for the more lavish dishes (the signature MNKY feast platter is a jaw-dropping £1000, while the Wagyu striploin starts at £98 and butter roasted lobster £85) and hit the cocktails. But if you fancy blowing the budget for a special occasion, MNKY HSE offers a fun-filled feast for all the senses.