Critics can't agree on Manchurian Legends

Chinese restaurant Manchurian Legends, the first in London to specialise in the Dongbei cuisine of the North-east of the country, divided the critics this weekend.

While Matthew Norman of the Daily Telegraph claims the restaurant is a hot candidate for the Chinatown crown scoring it four out of five stars, the Sunday Times' AA Gill has a "spectacularly, triumphantly awful" meal there, giving it just one star.

Meanwhile the incredible price tags of the two restaurants at the Corinthia Hotel in London shock both the Metro's Marina O'Loughlin and the Independent's Tracey MacLeod, who dine at the Northall restaurant and at Massimo's respectively.

The Observer's Jay Rayner reviews his first restaurant in the capital of Northern Ireland and finds there's lots to like at Made in Belfast until the food arrives.

Writing in the Independent on Sunday, Lisa Markwell finds an inviting interior, imaginative but comforting food and delightful staff at the Balcon, the new restaurant at the Sofitel St James, while the Guardian's John Lanchester hates the noise but loves the food at Bread Street Kitchen, the latest restaurant from Gordon Ramsay Holdings.

Zoe Williams of the Sunday Telegraph has an embarrassing tussle over the bill at Ducksoup, the first venture from a former Hix Restaurants team, but says that aside the Soho restaurant is really rather good.

Finally, Time Out's food and drink editor Guy Dimond can recommend everything on the menu at the new Hawksmoor Guildhall, the third outlet by the successful steak restaurant group.

By Kerstin Kühn

For these reviews in full and more, see What's on the menu? Visit Guide Girl for the latest gossip from the fine-dining world.

E-mail your comments to Kerstin Kühn here.

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