Review: New set menu at Louis Restaurant is a taste you can’t refuse

So I walk into Louis in Spinningfields and I’m thinking, “As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to eat like a gangster.” This place? Fuggedaboutit. It’s like someone dropped an exclusive Rat Pack supper club into the middle of Manchester and gave it a sexy, velvet-draped glow-up.

This isn’t just another spot in town. No, this place is special. We’re talking old-school 1950s Manhattan vibes and a stage where live music croons like it’s 1952. But it isn’t gimmicky. The venue boasts deep velvet furnishings, Italian marble accents, soft table lamp lighting and intimate booths draped with café curtains. The tiered seating ensures every table has a great view of the live performances, which range from jazz quartets to soul singers, adding to the vibrant ambience. 

You half expect Tommy DeVito to walk in yelling, “What do you mean, I’m funny?” – but instead, it’s a soul singer belting out Frank Sinatra. Close enough.

Needless to say, the setting sets the stage for the meal.

The new Taste of Louis set menu is a real hit – like a sit-down with Paulie where everyone eats first and talks later. You’re eating like made men for £34.50 (two courses) or £39.50 (three). Reasonable, sure – but not cheap, especially with a £4.95 per-person entertainment fee tacked on. At this price point, it better be good.

But you’re not just paying for food at Louis, you’re paying for a cinematic experience that you can’t do better at home.

Better still, Louis is just a short walk from the Opera House Manchester and Aviva Studios (home of Factory International), making this set menu a perfect pre-theatre dining option.

Beyond the interior, Louis showcases exceptional attention to detail across the board – from the finely crafted cutlery to the exquisite glassware, every element reflects premium quality and thoughtful design. When you’re holding one of those weighty, delicate wine glass stems filled with a fine Barolo, you can’t help but feel like Don Corleone himself. It’s that perfect mix of luxury and character that makes the whole experience feel a little bit special. 

Louis’ wine list tips its hat to the old-school cellars where French heavyweights – Champagne, Bordeaux, and Burgundy – ruled the scene. Back then, a splash of Hungarian, German, or Spanish wine was considered adventurous, and American bottles were just mimicking their European cousins (yes, “California Burgundy” was a thing).

Today, Louis keeps that classic spirit but opens the door to a world of wine, from iconic estates to rare vintages and big bottles made to share. It’s a list built for sipping, exploring, and enjoying without fuss.

The cocktails walk a fine line between class and sass. The PB&J Old Fashioned is smooth but packs a punch, while the Bloody Maria kicks like it’s got a little business of its own. These are not drinks you sip in a rush – they’re for people who enjoy sitting back and letting the night unfold.

At the Louis bar, their obsessive attention to detail extends to their homemade Limoncello. In pure Sicilian-style, they peel the lemons by hand to get just the zest, juice them fresh every single day, then infuse the whole thing with their own ‘Tito’s Vodka’ and lemon sugar. It’s a process that feels more like a ritual than a recipe. The final mix is stored at –16°C, so when it hits the glass, it’s ice-cold, velvety, and bursting with bright citrus flavour. It’s like lemon meringue pie in a glass. It’s the kind of after-dinner drink that makes you want to linger a little longer. They make five different diffusions, including Classic lemon, Coconut, Bergamot (it’s Italian, after all), Raspberry, and Blood Orange (all £8).

Step into Louis, and you’re not just dining – you’re starring in your own Italian-American film noir. From the red velvet curtains to the live jazz serenading you from the stage, every corner oozes old-school glamour. But let’s talk about the real stars: the food.

What makes the Taste of Louis set menu an unforgettable experience is that the pace is smooth, the service is sharp, and the portions hit the sweet spot between satisfying and not too heavy before a show.

You’ve got a few crowd-pleasers to choose from. The Iberico Meatballs for starters come tender, swimming in rich San Mazano tomato marinara sauce like they just came outta Ma’s kitchen in Brooklyn with a touch of spice. Proper classic.

The mac and cheese balls are all golden, crispy outside, gooey inside, with a spicy Cajun mayo kick.

A fresh 125g burrata served with heirloom tomatoes and basil. Simple, elegant, and as timeless as a classic Coppola film.

For mains? The Rigatoni alla Vodka with Guanccalli, al dente rigatoni in a creamy San Marzano tomato and vodka-infused sauce, has a smoky kick that means business. It’s as bold and unforgettable as a Scorsese masterpiece.

The Chicken Parm is crisp, cheesy, and so classic it should be wearing a pinky ring. A comfort food classic that never goes out of style.

And yes, they do a New York Strip so good it’d make Jimmy Conway crack a grin. Fresh vegan spaghetti tossed with garlic, pepper flakes, and parsley. A minimalist dish that lets the ingredients shine.

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is fresh vegan spaghetti tossed with garlic, pepper flakes, and parsley. A minimalist dish that lets the ingredients shine.

Dessert comes from a trolley (which is a nice old-school touch), and the options are all classics. Apple Pie, Baked New York Cheesecake, or Tiramisu. Each dessert is a sweet ending that leaves you craving an encore. That Baked New York Cheesecake, though a bit safe, is rich without being too dense. A clear winner.

If you’re heading to Louis in Manchester and not sure what to try, their new Taste of Louis menu is a solid place to start. It’s a set menu that gives you a real feel for what the kitchen does best – Italian-American classics with a bit of an upscale twist.

Service is slick without being overbearing – attentive when you need them, discreet when you don’t. Everyone moves like they’re part of a well-rehearsed cast, which only adds to the feeling that this isn’t just dinner – it’s theatre.

Live music brings it all together. Whether it’s soul, swing, or smoky jazz, it ties the whole night up like the third act of a Scorsese film. You came here to be entertained, and Louis knows it.

Louis Manchester ain’t just dinner at a restaurant – it’s the whole nine yards. The kind of place where you’d expect to bump into Henry Hill having a late supper, telling stories like, “One night, Billy Batts walks in and says, ‘Get your taste buds ready.’” With the Taste of Louis menu, you’re getting fine food, sharp service, and a night to remember.

Go hungry, dress sharp, and for the love of all that is marinara, don’t be late. Especially if you’ve got curtain-up at the Opera House. Louis will make sure you’re fed, watered, and out the door in time, with a bit of Rat Pack swagger in your step.

The Taste of Louis menu is available Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

An entertainment fee of £4.95 per person is included in your bill to support the talented performers who help create an unforgettable ambience throughout your visit.

To book a table for a Taste of Louis, visit their website here