Having lived just 9 miles South of Manchester for all my life, it's now the best it has ever been. I work about a mile outside the city, but it's only 20 minutes walk to get into town. I'm really enjoying it now my wife works in the city. My kids are old enough to sort themselves out now after high school, so we often just get the train in - my missus works within 5 minutes of the station, but I'm a good 30 minutes walk back out - that's OK as it's good for my back.
Manchester does have some fantastic restaurants and some fantastic architecture - just look around (after ignoring the 60's architectural failures) that survived the bombings.
Some places to just go in, and look at the architecture, all near the centre... John Rylands Lirary - fabulous gothic building. Browns restaurant/pub - it's an old shipping bank - lots of marble and fabulously restored interior, Jamies (OK yes chain from Mr Olive Oil, bt the building is fab), but call in for a drink, and go down to the loo. Each loo is in an old bank room for 'checking your safety deposit box' and there is the old vault that you can go in - the staff will happily show you round. Also Rosso - Rio Ferdinand's place, but the building is fabulous inside - all the original decor and domes have been kept.
Oast House in Spinning fields is worth a visit - little Swiss Style pub/building within modern office blocks - some great food places there too. The Pump House near "Home" behind Harry Halls (cycle shop) is a good modern pub with a micro brewery - good cheap ale.
Grafene restaurant off King Street - fabulous but expensive - see if you can get an on line deal. Swadesh on Portland Street - great Indian, and really good buffet deals at lunch - recommended by me and Skolly.
All these places are within 15 minutes. You've also got China Town - Little Yang Sing is great, New Emperor too, as is the Tepanyaki Japanese restaurant in China Town - there is another near MOSI, Saporo, but that's quite expensive but very good.
PS I've eaten in all these !!
