Wagamama, Spinningfields: Review For Families

Kids Confidential rating: 10.5/15

Family-friendly service 2.5/5, Facilities 4/5, Kids Food 4/5

WE were in a congratulatory mood.  James had completed his first full day in his new nursery school and according to his teacher, loved it.

This was one added bonus.  The other was that he's now eligible for 15 hours free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year. With the hugely expensive cost of childcare, it's a welcome relief.

Off we headed to Manchester city centre.

Wagamma in Spinningfields, just off Deansgate, was our chosen destination. I'd been told that the East-Asian themed food chain catered well for kids.

There were constant demands for pizza on the way but once we'd gone into the restaurant, the smell of garlic hit us and the protests stopped.

"Hmm, it smells nice," said the little voice standing beside me.

It was around 4.30pm and the restaurant was virtually empty. A man slurping noodle soup and a couple of lads, who turned out to be staff members, sat on a bench,

All was quiet.  It was like there'd been a fire alarm in the building and everyone had vacated, forgetting to tell noodle man and some of the staff. I felt a tad selfconcious.

The waitress smiled handed me the menus and gave James some crayons. The voice in my head started to wonder...should we be here?   Where is everyone?. 

Where is everyone?

The emptiness was emphasised by the long wooden benches and spotlit, open dining. The kichen is open-plan too.  James yelped as one of the chefs had a close encounter with a flame from a wok.

There's a mini-menu for kids.  The choices are spot on; simple soups, rice and noodle dishes with a variety of sauces.  Dishes start from £3.05. 

James wanted rice so I ordered a mini chicken katsu – chicken deep-fried in breadcrumbs served with sticky rice, carrot, cucumber and a curry sauce (£4.05).

The dish was good. Fresh strips of cucumber and carrot that James sucked up like spagetti. The sticky coconut rice and crispy chicken stips were gobbled up quickly although the katsu curry sauce, which fortunately came on the side, was rejected for being "too strong".

I ordered a bowl of chilli men (£10.15) stir fried chicken with vegetables, noodles and a chilli men sauce. All ingredients were fresh and the chilli tomato sauce added a touch of warmth.

Wagamama is certainly good for families. We went at a quiet time but on other occasions its a buzzy, busy place with plenty of action going on to provide could people watching potential.

The facilities for kids are great, high chairs, easy pram access, crayons and a kids menu which doubles as a colouring book.

All in all we had a pleasent experience..quietly.

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Kids Confidential restaurant reviews are from a parent's viewpoint.  Restaurants are rated for their family friendly service, the facilities for children, the children's food and the overall experience as a parent with kids in tow. It's not intended to be a main Confidential food review as found on Manchester Confidential.