664189 Mon Nov 02 14:01:31 -0800 2009 7 42 U.K./Ireland 0 5150112 Could anyone recommend a good butchers in south Manchester please? I recently stumbled across Alan Jackson's in Hale and Alderley Edge and bought an excellent t-bone steak but at £24 a kilo it's somewhere I'll only be visiting as a treat. I live near to Frosts in Chorlton but am usually disappointed by the quality of their beef and I think it is also overpriced (incidentally there's an interesting debate emerging on Manchester Confidential about this - http://manchesterconfidential.com/index.asp?Sessionx=IpqiNwy6JWbjJHqiNwF6IHqi). Mon Nov 02 14:01:31 -0800 2009 1121174 Chali2na 1 5151282 I have to say I am amazed by your, and the people in that thread's, indifference to Frosts. I spent the last year living in Chorlton, and Out of the Blue and Frosts kept me in culinary nirvana. Now I'm back in London I'm often spending more on inferior quality. Sure Frosts doesn't come free, but the quality in unquestionably excellent. They'll get you absolutely anything too. I've ordered Veal bones, caul fat, trotters, pig's tails - the lot. If you live in Chorlton I really wouldn't bother exploring further. The only better meat you'll find is Alan Jackson's, but unless you're a millionaire you might as well forget it on a regular basis. Oh and there's also Mettrick's butchers in Glossop which is excellent, and closer in price to Frosts. Anyway, I'm sure you already know it, but Out of the Blue is the real star attraction in Chorlton. Probably the best non-coastal fishmongers I've ever been to. Tue Nov 03 02:19:28 -0800 2009 5150112 280761 chief1284 2 5151341 Thanks Chief (I sound like Glyn Purnell there). You're right, Out of the Blue is wonderful. To the point where my intake of red meat has all but disappeared in favour of fresh fish. However, there are times when only a big rib of beef will do and sadly in my experience Frosts doesn't cut it. Tue Nov 03 04:23:18 -0800 2009 5151282 1121174 Chali2na 3 5152005 Just talking of Out of the Blue makes me sentimental. Anyway, to be fair I've never bought any big roasting joints from Frosts, maybe they disappoint. Mostly because I couldn't really justify spending that much whilst studying. I mostly bought cheaper cuts of meat. Although all the money saved was in the end used in Out of the Blue anyway! One little tip, ask at the counter of Frosts for a packet of Rib Keys (also called short ribs in the US). They're mostly used for mince in the UK which is a travesty as in a long braise they are truly awe inspiring. They don't normally sell them out front so you have to buy big plastic sealed packets meant for restaurants, but the beef is very good and well marbled. Tue Nov 03 09:08:16 -0800 2009 5151341 280761 chief1284 1 5151393 I've also been disappointed with options in the south of the conurbation. My solution in recent years is to internet buy from Mansergh Hall which I do once or twice a year. I top up from farmers markets (usually Ashton) Tue Nov 03 05:07:59 -0800 2009 5150112 154102 Harters 1 5152161 La Charcuterie in Heaton Moor is great. They do all sorts, their meat is top quality, they're really knowledgeable, and they'll order in anything you want. Tue Nov 03 09:49:32 -0800 2009 5150112 287346 Haverfoodie 2 5155178 Thanks everyone for your input. Will definitely try Charcuterie and Mansergh Hall (may even have a ride up to Lancaster and buy from the farmer's market). Anyone been to Axons in Didsbury and if so what was it like? Wed Nov 04 09:32:26 -0800 2009 5152161 1121174 Chali2na 3 5155208 Axon's isnt bad. Nothing special though. Great benefit is that you can do a fair bit of reasonable shopping within 30 yards - Axons, the Cheese Hamlet and the fishmonger on the corner (who might be associated with Axon but I'm not sure). Wed Nov 04 09:41:11 -0800 2009 5155178 154102 Harters