Vermilion

Enjoy top seafood and oriental cocktails at this new Thai restaurant

Where? Lord North Street, Miles Platting, Manchester (0161 202 0055)

East Manchester could do with a bit of colour If, as legendary vogue editor Diana Vreeland once proclaimed, pink is the navy blue of India, then perhaps Vermilion is the navy blue of Thailand. This huge new Thai bar and restaurant should brighten up a regeneration zone where the UK's first supercasino may, or may not, be built.

It sounds like a bit of a gamble Even if the casino hits the skids, Vermilion deserves to become a destination: it was designed by architect Miguel Cancio Martins, who is responsible for the look of Buddah Bar in Paris and Man Ray in New York.

Who's behind it? Iqbal Ahmed, whose food-processing company, Seamark, has granted him a place on The Sunday Times Rich List.

What's on the menu - fish fingers? Ahmed might be an expert on frozen prawns, but he has left the cooking to a team of chefs brought over from Thailand. Think zesty salads, soothing soups and lots of seafood. Figure on around £40 per head.

And to drink? Head to Cinnabar for Asian-inspired cocktails.

Need to know? Take advantage of the free valeting service, and after your meal, drive home in a spic and span car.

More top Thai's

Nahm The Halkin, 5 Halkin Street, London (020 7333 1234, halkin.como.bz). Europe's only Michelin-starred Thai restaurant is unbeatable

Tarn Thai 9 George Street, Nottingham (0115 959 9454, tarnthai.co.uk). Contemporary Thain with tinkling water features.

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