Recommend your fave Salford Media City restaurant please

[PimpMyFridge]

I am meeting friends in Salford Quays next week for dinner followed by a show at the Lowry... just not sure where to pick for the dinner as it's a rare treat and don't want a dud. It's been a long time since I was au fait with the options round there.

Budget not overly important, but we'd like delicious food (good veggy options would be ideal), good service and fun/nice ambience ideally.

I checked out The Botanist but the menu looked a bit meh, and it seemed from the pics they were relying heavily on serving food on boards and in novel containers combined with a fancy font on the menu to create their vibe. But maybe that's unfair.

I need first hand experience recommendations please.

Your only option is Pier 8. Or, I'd meet in Manchester and get the tram/a cab to the theatre after dinner.

I ate in that botanist once and it was lovely, I'd happily go back. The alchemist is good for a bit of atmosphere but I find the service quite patchy. PP is right that you don't have many options, if you want something special get it in the city centre.

Really I thought there were a few eateries around Media City now. Boo hiss.

Hmm OK, well that's food for thought (boom-boom). Maybe it'll be an eat and tram then, just wanted to have relaxed logistics (Obviously Pier 8 ticks that box, but wanted to see what else there was).

But if you've had good experience with Botanist @newtowelsplease perhaps I shouldn't dismiss that too readily. What was it that made it lovely for you?