Cona Restaurant

You'll walk past this pint-sized Ancoats spot three times before you spot the discreet signage on Blossom Street. Inside, it's all exposed brick, candlelit tables for two, and the kind of intimate atmosphere that makes you lower your voice without thinking about it. The menu changes constantly but revolves around proper Italian technique – think house-made cacio e pepe that'll ruin the stuff you get elsewhere, or whatever seasonal special the kitchen's obsessing over that week. The wine list skews natural and interesting, with plenty of options that won't bankrupt you. Staff know their stuff and aren't precious about it, which matters when you're dealing with this level of quality in such a small space. Book ahead – with maybe 20 covers max, walk-ins are basically fantasy.