A very popular and much praised locale, Shimla Pinks will usually end up on your dining resume sooner or later.
As I entered the place, taking a good look around and making a note of its cool shades and crisp angles, I picked up the brochure by the door and read it's introduction
Shimla Pinks is a state of mind, I read. A by-word for young at heart and the aspirational and other phrases that sounded like a lubricant for the male ego.
Today, the brochure implied, I was in for a treat. It says a lot about the type of person I am by simply eating here sophisticated and stylish, cool and chic, classless but classy.
I'm always wary of places that label it's clientele but even so, I was feeling the pressure to look good and eat good. I wouldn't want the waiter to be tutting at my attempts to look sophisticated whilst getting food on my shirt.
I was about to enter the Shimla fraternity of yuppie's with appetite and I had to be ready.
After being seated I settled on the Fish Amritsari for starters followed by a Chicken Kerala Molee (a mild dish served with a rich coconut sauce). Both dishes are mild I'm a wuss when it comes to spices and both were filling and of good quality.
Despite it's look and philosophy, Shimla Pinks in Manchester does not stand out from the crowd. It is nice, it serves good food undoubtedly, but ultimately the place was let down by the slow service. Given how hungry I was, it resulted in a very long, frustrating wait. Thankfully, years training as a martial artist have allowed me to focus my mind elsewhere, but I'm not sure how others would have fared.
The final bill came in at under £40 for the two of us ordering starters and mains (as well as drinks).
Overall, a decent establishment but in my experience, just falls slightly short of it's own megalithic reputation.
I came away from the place feeling somewhat let down. When a place promises a new state of mind, body and soul and instead delivers merely good food served slowly, I'm going to feel as disillusioned as a Branch Davidian cult member at the David Koresh 2nd Coming Convention.
But that's my own fault for believing the hype. read more