Mietta's Review
The Manse changed hands on 15/6/05. The proud new owners, the Banque's Luke James and Queen's Head Hotel's Matthew and Olivia Trim, have renovated extensively. Bernard Oerhli's head chef Tim Montgomery remains. The new team have created North Adelaide's hottest restaurant. The restrained slightly ecclesiatic air of the old manse has become French - period but glossy. The food is impressive. The package still needs a little time to settle down and smooth of some of the rough edges. It now opens for breakfast and lunch at weekends and every day for dinner.

Other published opinions

Gourmet Traveller 2012 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: One Star "The elegant interior of this stately stone manse, dressed in chic charcoal and white, has been a dependable comfort in recent years, though a slimmer repertoire of dishes, diminished service and creeping prices have reclassified the dining experience"

The Advertiser Simon Wilkinson, 04-08-2010 Score: The food 18/20, The staff 9/10, The drink 4/5, The X-factor 3 5/5, The value 7 5/10, Total: 42 out of 50 "One of Adelaide's last remaining fine-dining destinations still has plenty to offer, with a brilliant young crew in the kitchen matched by the wine and service."

Gourmet Traveller 2011 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "More staff changes at The Manse have not diminished the superior dining experience it delivers, with former sous chef Lachlan Colwill taking over the stoves with aplomb. Modern techniques feature throughout the menu - foams, gels and paints - though they are used with discretion and dishes deliver real substance and satisfaction"

The Adelaide Food Guide 2010 "At the time of publication, major changes were taking place in both the front of house and kitchen at The Manse, making it impossible to review or rate properly"

Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2010

Gourmet Traveller 2010 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "In these cash-conscious times. The Manse ensures its fine dining experience remains an occasion to remember. Chef Ayhan Erkoc keeps growing in confidence, his youthful exuberance melding with cutting-edge trends for stunning combinations: a bold amusebouche of smoked eel mousse, say, or a challenging dessert of passionfruit custard bathed in yoghurt consomme with bites of beetroot and mint"

The Australian "Proper, but not pompous; classy, but not starchy. That, in short, is the key to the success of The Manse, a North Adelaide institution reborn in 2008 with new owners and a new head chef, Ayhan Erkoc"

Adelaide Advertiser Tony Love, 19-11-2008 Score: 18.5/20 "A fully satisfying fine-dining experience with all aspects of the restaurant - table service, wine offerings and kitchen craft - working at the top of their game. It's special occasion territory while remaining user-friendly and welcoming - a grand local achievement in hospitality excellence."

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "After upheaval in the kitchen in 2007, the Manse has settled into a smart regime that complements its reputation for high quality. Ayhan Erkoc (previously at Marque and Pier in Sydney) takes bold risks but they work impressively"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "Since the stately 120-year-old former church manse received a thorough makeover in 2006 under new ownership, this fine diner became a star attraction with talented chef Tim Montgomery, whose departure overseas has seen the arrival of UK chef Shane Horsley"

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide Score: ** "A year after new head chef Tim Montgomery moved into the Victorian mansion that houses this restaurant, its discreet charm has morphed into the city's finest modern French dining. A makeover has lifted the interior to match a deep-welled wine list - think 14 Champagnes and vertical vintages of Grange, St Henri and Hill of Grace."

Adelaide Advertiser 2006 "Its unassuming street presence, tucked away in a 120-year-old former church manse building, is typical of the way The Manse operates. Rather than shout about what it does, it just gets on with it in a serene but highly effective way."

Adelaide Advertiser 5/4/06 Tony Love score 17/20 "Every dish tasted here has been impressive, full of joy and reeking of the pleasure of fine cooking. A few finishing touches in the restaurant's environment and delivery would easily propel The Manse's new generation into a place alongside our most respected fine dining venues."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide ** "Under previous ownerchef Bernhard Oehrli, the cooking was top-notch and the service and wine list were impeccable. For all that, its profile remained low, something the new owners plan to change with extensive renovations."

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Australian Restaurant Guide ** "Tucked away in a 120-year-old former church manse, this is a discreet and comfortable place. The rooms are relaxed and intimate, with open fires and candlelit tables. Rather than shout about what it does, the Manse just gets on with it in a serene but effective way under chef/owner, Bernhard Oehrli."

The Adelaide Advertiser 14/7/04 Tony Love score 17.5/20, "One of Adelaide's most accomplished dining experiences; superb cooking, intelligent service, great wines in a comfortable old-world setting. It's grand-occasion, deep-wallet territory and big-league in evey way.'

The Adelaide Advertiser 7/4/04, mentioned as open during Easter Saturday.

Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Guide Australia 2004, 2 Red Stars, Excellent wine list,'It's a pleasure to walk into The Manse, one of Adelaide's most reliably good restaurants. You know you'll be waited on with finesse, the food will delight and so will the wine list.Tucked away in a 120-year-old former church manse, this is a discreet,comfortable place...open fires,candlelight and so on.

Blaze, 25/10/02,'It welcomes everyone...offers a relaxed and elegant dining experience.'