The landmark Palace Hotel, with its distinctive 217ft clock tower, is set in the heart of Manchester’s entertainment district, & a multi-million pound refurbishment has left the period Edwardian architecture looking as grand as ever. Original details are picked up throughout the hotel (a popular conference venue), but contemporary styling in shades of creams & browns sends out a modern message in the Tempus Restaurant. Although the food is based on tried & trusted combinations, there are some interesting pairings: wild mushrooms on toast with fried egg & watercress pesto, for example, or slow-braised belly pork with sweet potato ravioli. Dishes of the day can bring comfort food in the shape of steak & ale pie or cod & chips.