Venturing into Salford, you might like Vero Moderno which is “modern Italian” for want of a better description.
You could get the tram to Altrincham for Sugo Pasta Kitchen which, unsurprisingly, only has about 5 main course items, all pasta (or go for the food hall at the old market hall - quite an exciting concept - although not quite what an old git like me is after). They are due to open a second outlet in Ancoats (just on the edge of the Northern Quarter) in the early summer.
You’d need to reserve both - justifiably very popular
