"We specifically went to MC Cafe for the Fish & Chips on a Sunday afternoon before going to the football. Ithas to be said from previous visits, these are arguably the best in town and great value at £11. Unfortunately we got there too late (2pm) and found out that only the Light Bites Menu was available. We opted for the Calzone Pizza (£8.50) and the Pizza Salsiccia Piccante Con Pancetta (£8) instead and were extremely impressed. These were possibly the best pizzas we've had in Manchester and the price, equally as impressive. The menu at MC Cafe is somewhat eclectic - The highly-recommended pizzas sit alongside sandwiches, Spanish and Greek tapas, pasta and fish, steaks and salads, burgers and lamb and of course those amazing fish & chips. Something for everyone? From the dishes we've tried so far - you won't be disappointed with the food.

The only disappointment on this visit was the service, which was very poor. With just two other tables occupied in the restaurant, the waitresses seemed to take the afternoon off and leave us unattended for far too long. It may possibly have been the end of their shift as a new waitress/duty manager, who was fantastic by the way, was left embarrassed on three occassions by bringing us another table's order. Fortunately we could laugh about it with her, although less patient customers would have no doubt given her a hard time.

Desserts were as impressive as the mains, presented as a work of art, although somewhat disproportionately priced in comparison to what had come before hand. £5.50 for a tiny Manchester tart and the same price for an equally small Chocolate Brownie seemed a bit steep for the portion size. The main problem with MC Cafe though, as highlighted on other reviews on this page, is the extortionate service charge. The menu stated an 11% 'optional' charge, which itself is 1% more than what you'd expect to pay in restaurants which still operate this annoying practice, however, to make matters worse, they now actually charge 12%. Given that service was poor on this one occassion, and we were also initially charged for the dishes we hadn't ordered, even 10% couldn't be justified. But, in typical British fashion, we just paid it without complaint. I guess most people would do exactly the same but the thing about the British, you see, is that for the sake of 2% more than they would normally happily contribute, they won't return. And it's a pity if that is the case (which, speaking to other people about MC Cafe, it seems to be), the food certainly demands many a return visit. The best pizzas in town and the best fish & chips in town certainly doesn't warrant the highest 'optional' service charge in town! Sorry Michael, it has to go!" - restaurants of manchester 15/3/08 (visited on a sunday afternoon)