Café Jem&I, School Lane, Didsbury. The eponymous Jem, the owner/chef at Jem&I (this name has an explanation involving twins but if you want to know more I suggest you ask them yourself!) started his career at West Didsbury? classiest restaurant The Lime Tree before being snapped up to run the kitchen at The Lincoln in Manchester. Jem? brought exactly the same quality and excellence that he used there with him to Jem&I. I feel The Lime Tree suffered as a result of his absence though it has since recovered its form. And reports from friends about the Lincoln seem to confirm a similar dip. The food is fantastic, it? not cheap but nothing is overpriced. The ingredients are all bought fresh from the market and the fish dish changes daily depending on what they found that morning. The wines I?e sampled have all been excellent and like the food whilst pricey it? a fair price. But it? the food that should entice you there; Jem is a master of good quality, simple food. Nothing is over flavoured or messed around with, his sauces are sublime, the portions are huge and the service, poached from The Lincoln, is a feat of friendly, Scottish, comedic excellence. The Premises on School Lane in Didsbury used to be the Time for Tea café and they?e remodelled it brilliantly given the limited space and the ability to look past the stainless steel counters into the tiny, efficient, kitchen certainly enhances the atmosphere. It does have a habit of looking closed from the outside however, so be bold and open the door! (Unless it? Monday, when they close) It? still a café and they open in the mornings with a full breakfast menu and stay open all day.
Jem and I Bar and Grill – Didsbury