REVIEW | Fazenda, Spinningfields

Jemima Forbes takes her time tasting the culinary delights at Fazenda Manchester and ends up spending the afternoon there.

A haven for meat lovers and a genuinely relaxing and tasteful restaurant, Fazenda is the ideal location for a leisurely and delicious meal. With its candlelit interior and Brazilian vibe at its core, this restaurant specialises in succulent cuts of meat perfectly grilled by expert gaucho chefs. The Fazenda dining experience is uncomplicated and laid back, allowing you to eat as much as you like of any of the dishes on offer.

“Fazenda feels
sophisticated
and upmarket
without being
too exclusive.”

With this all-you-can-eat style, it was no surprise, therefore, that on my visit to Fazenda I took my time tasting all of the restaurant’s culinary delights and ended up spending three hours there. The relaxing ambience with its candlelit chandeliers, wooden fittings, spacious seating and non-intrusive background music is almost enough to keep you there without the bonus of a wonderful menu, and made it the perfect retreat from the rain and wind of Manchester.

The restaurant is spread out with a number of seating areas and a heated outdoor area which is perfect for hanging out with friends and sipping on a cocktail or two. The leather furnishings, displays of fine wines and open layout make Fazenda feel sophisticated and upmarket without being too exclusive.

The salad bar offers a large selection of gourmet sides before you settle down at your table for the delicious cuts of meat to arrive. Each diner is given a card – which can be turned to the green or red side depending on whether you want more meat – a system which allows you to control your own menu as the waiters patrol the room and serve the freshly grilled cuts of meat.

Now let’s talk about the food. Beginning with the gourmet salad bar, the selection of food on offer was endless and included a variety of Brazilian dishes as well as breads, cheeses, salamis, fresh seafood, multigrain salads and delicatessen favourites. The small peppers stuffed with creamy cheese were particularly delicious as were the stuffed vine leaves and the smoked salmon.

The star of the show had to be the selection of meats brought out gradually by the cheerful waiters and sliced expertly at your table. Perfectly tender rump steak, marinated chicken thighs, rich pork sausages, succulent smoked ham and my personal favourite, the melt in your mouth pork belly in a honey and cinnamon sauce.

Although the lunch menu includes fewer meat options than dinner, each morsel was amazing and any more varieties of meat may have been too sickly. Having tried to sample everything, I was left feeling incredibly full but determined to try one of their decadent desserts. If you find you still have room for something sweet, the Marquise de Chocolate is Fazenda’s signature treat and is a divine mix of solid chocolate, cream and dulce de leche. The portion was giant and the flavours rich so it was the perfect dessert for sharing.

Fazenda also have an impressive list of wines of varying prices. Stored in their special wine room that is kept locked at temperature set at 15 degrees, it houses a variety of fine wines which are served at the optimum temperature. Although the wine may be on the pricey side, a glass goes perfectly with the rich meat. Fazenda also stock a variety of global beers and a tempting selection of cocktails.

The lunch menu is priced at £19.30 per person (£25.50 for the Christmas menu which includes a glass of sparkling wine and a dessert) or £28.30 (£36.50 Christmas menu) for dinner and includes a large selection of slow grilled meats.

Fazenda’s Christmas menu is available throughout December and is the perfect place for a classy, unique and delicious Christmas meal or New Year Eve celebration.

The Avenue, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3AP

This review was paid for by Fazenda Manchester.