Stow

Stow is a restaurant at 62 Bridge Street in central Manchester, England, listed in the Michelin Guide for cooking over fire. Bridge Street runs between Deansgate and the River Irwell, close to the Opera House, the Royal Exchange and the Spinningfields business district, and the restaurant is a short walk from St Peter's Square. The kitchen is built around a wood-fired grill, and steak cooked over fire is the dish most associated with it, supported by seasonal sides and starters that also use the live fire. Prices are in the upper-moderate range at roughly £45-75 per person, and the final bill depends heavily on the cut of steak and the choice of sides and drinks. Because the menu follows the seasons, visitors should expect the steak to be a constant and the accompaniments to rotate. The room is modern and warm, with the open fire and grill giving the dining room a lively, smoky character, and noise levels are moderate to high at busy times. There is no formal dress code. Opening is typically lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday, so the days should be checked before a visit. Reservations are recommended and can be made online; Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunch fill first, and booking several days ahead is sensible, with a longer lead for groups. Sharing cuts are common for tables of two or more, and counter seating, where available, gives a view of the grill. Drinks are an optional addition, and the wine list can lift the total well above the quoted range. Dietary requirements should be raised in advance, as the menu is meat-led. The central location makes Stow convenient before a show at the nearby theatres or after a day in the museums and galleries. For visitors seeking a steak dinner with a more distinctive wood-fired approach than a chain steakhouse, it is a strong central option.