At the time of visiting the Flying Horse had been open precisely 7 days. Bear that in mind when reading this review, it's important.
On arrival both my wife and I were impressed. It's a BIG pub, well appointed on the outside with nice touches like an outdoor play area for children, nicely landscaped and decorated for Christmas with lights on the trees and such.
On the inside it's perhaps even more impressive., Well decorated, a BIG bar and better yet, it's sectioned off so that there's a 'family' restaurant area, a central bar area (where you can also eat) and an over-18s only area. Well thought out.
The decor is modern and cleverly lit and pays homage to Manchester Airport - unsurprising as it sits RIGHT UNDER the flight path - though you wouldn't know it from the inside. You can't here any noise at all from outdoors. The staffing levels are ridiculous. SO many waiters / waitresses (and yet probably not enough bar staff?!).
We visited to eat but just briefly - the bar is well stocked, serves three or four lagers on draft and about the same in bitter / mild / ale. Extensive wine list and lots of spirits too.
The menu is typical Hungry Horse - that is to say it is pub grub with the odd nice twist on the classics to make it feel a bit more 'upmarket'. We shared an Ultimate combo to start and that was very nice indeed. Really enjoyed that and even our 16 month old enjoyed picking at it.
For main course I had a sirloin steak, medium rare. It was cooked perfectly, full of flavour. The peppercorn sauce that I ordered to go with had congealed a bit in its gravy boat, showing it came from a packet, so be warned. It came with well cooked chips, a fried tomato and mushroom (also peas, which I declined).
Overall, I'd give it a 7 /10.
This is where it goes downhill. My wife ordered a Chicken Diane. It looked very nice but it turned out the chicken was overcooked and tough as old boots. When the waitress checked back I told her this and she asked if I'd like to send it back. Of course we did!
A few minutes later she returned and said: "We can offer you a full refund or you can order something else off the menu as this is how the chicken comes."
So...the chicken at the Flying Horse comes overcooked! I knew she was only repeating what the idiot chef had told her so I didn't get stuck into her, but I was fuming. I requested the refund and we were preparing to go.
The manager on the evening brought me a carefully folded fiver and said "Sorry about that." before simply walking off!
Now I know a newly open venture has teething problems. I'm sure the chef was under pressure and I know mistakes will be made. BUT...as a newly opened venture you'd think they'd want to correct their mistakes rather than fob you off.
It'll be along time before we return there, more for the casual attitude of what was no doubt an 18 year old chef and the older and should-know-better manager than for the mistake with the food.
Try it. You might have a better experience than we did (in fact, we know people who have) but I call it as I see it and the Flying Horse (or it's staff, rather), right now, can kiss my *rse. read more