So... before we get down to the good stuff, and by that we mean food, let us just start by introducing this little gem, The Workshop, which can be found in Waterloo a mere stones throw from the city. This side of town is fast becoming as Steve the owner put perfectly 'The New Lark Lane' and if that doesn't get you as excited as it does us, then you have some serious foodie-issues. Waterloo, and in particular St John's Road, sees The Workshop and Caz's Kitchen; a raw/vegan dessert delight alongside a bunch of independent butchers, coffee shops (like Peaberry Coffee House), Roast Bar and Kitchen, Crosby Coffee (you may have seen more than a few times at foodie-festivals and pop-ups) and independent shops such as Darcy Willow. We LOVE it when you have to look hard to find a chain, it makes us feel that when we do eat out or spend some cash, it's going right back into the local economy #independentsrule The Workshop's owner Steve is a local born and bred and it's clear within the first few minutes that he's passionate about all things food, music and his local community. The Workshop opened up around two and half years ago and with the kitchen opening up around a year ago, it has a bustling vibe of foodies and music lovers alike. What we really love is that this place knows its customers. They know that yes you want music, but you also want a natter and a catch up with friends over food. So with this in mind they wait until food service is over before the party kicks in with some local talent! We asked how do they find some of their amazing performers, the response? 'Waterloo and Crosby is just full of talented artists' and to be able to have them perform and offer them and the customers a buzzing atmosphere...its just win-win really isn't it! So what did we eat? We'll start from the top left and work round clock wise. First up; from the 'Roots, Shoots & Greens' menu we chose the Roast Cauliflower which was served with celeriac puree, greens, pink grapefruit, fig molasses and flowers. This dish was vegan, gluten and dairy free. Sometimes gluten free/vegan dishes sound and often look a little boring, but Workshop got it spot-on...who knew that cauliflower could look so pretty and taste soooo good? This was a scraping-the-plate situation. And for those of you who love a good food-snap the flowers just make it look dreamy. We also ordered from the 'Fishy for your Dishy' menu, The APA Battered Fish & Chips which came with tartar sauce, a very decent sized portion for just £4.00. The chips were perfect, and we even commented that they were even better than our Nan's Homemade chips... Sorry Nan (and hers are even done in lard!). Next up... From the 'Moo's, Oinks, Baa's and Cluck's' menu we chose The Pork Belly served with Kimchi and a peanut Crumb. Now... normally pork belly scares us, we question if there's actually meat underneath all that fat but this was one heck of a piece. The crust was crispy and all salty/nutty...just divine. It had a Chinese taste to it, and was one of my personal favourite dishes of the night! Also from the meat menu we chose The Chicken Schnitzel which came with fennel and cabbage sauerkraut. Beautifully moist chicken with a tang of pickled sauerkraut which freshened up the whole dish nicely. Last, but definitely not least, was another vegan and dairy free dish off the veggie menu, The Sweet Potato Goan Curry, served with coconut rice and poppadom. This dish is perfect for everyone, not just vegetarians. I loved it as it had chickpeas in, which was an added bonus. All in all we shared these dishes between the two of us as they are small plates. We found that about 3 dishes per person worked perfectly and it filled you up whilst leaving room for desserts if you were going all out... which obvs we were. So one of these beautiful dishes was chosen from the aptly named 'Oh, Go On Then...' menu. It was The Chocolate Pecan Brookie served with vanilla ice cream and toffee sauce. A delight to look at as well as eat. I could not share this... basically just get you're own portion pronto!
We also chose one dessert of their specials of the day menu. A passion fruit Eton Mess. HEAVEN. With meringue kisses, cream, strawberries, rasberries and passion fruit. You can almost pretend you're being healthy...almost. So what events are on offer?
Have you tried The Workshop? Let us know your thoughts! Click here for a link to their website. Call 01513292797 to book in now!
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Off the menu: Two of the prettiest starters we think we've ever had! It was so clear to us even just with these two starters that the chefs at this restaurant are working their magic with out of this world ingredients. We can now officially say we've had 'proper' scallops by choosing Stanley's Seared Scallops, and by that I mean cooked to absolute perfection, not overdone whatsoever, served with home cured chorizo, red pepper and paprika! Just to die for! We also chose the Slow Cooked Pork with celeriac, charred leeks and sticky jus. The meat quite literally fell apart and the jus....well I think it would've been a bit rude to lick the plate clean but I would've if I could've! Then it was on the mains...and they are no joke! First up, we chose the Duck Breast which was roast duck served deliciously pink (just the right colour), with hotpot potato, carrots and leeks. The hotpot potato had this almost caramelised, charred top which went so well with the soft layers of potato underneath. The vegetables were almost too pretty to eat and again cooked just right meaning that lovely bite was there. Then the main event, the duck! Having decided to venture out and try something new, if you're like is you've only had duck in its crispy/take away Chinese version. Lay these thoughts aside for a showstopper. Succulent, moist, soft, with a flavour like no other, you absolutely need to try this, and I'm so glad that we first tried it here because we were definitely treated to it being done right. Next up we had the 8oz Dry Aged Fillet Steak from the grill, all steaks are British heard, dry aged to 28 days, served with a generous portion of triple cooked chips, thyme roasted plum tomato, portobello mushroom and baby watercress. If you're gonna do it, do it well with the classic...the fillet! I asked for mine medium-rare, and it was that delicious combo of ever-so-slightly charred on the outside, and beautifully soft and pink on the inside. It had that flavour that, (o.k. I may be biased), can only be achieved with a fillet. As a topper I had the peppercorn sauce (because...standard!) and we were extra greedy and got some onion rings on the side which were beer battered, yummy, and didn't do that thing where you bite in and only get batter with the onion left behind, you know what we mean. Good lord, I am quite literally salivating just remembering this delicious meal. If you haven't got the point by now, I am in LOVE with this place. Crowning glory time, desserts! We chose the Iced Lemon Possett which came with white chocolate, Italian meringue, black pepper and raspberry. The only way to describe it? Summer on a plate! Refreshing, fruity, creamy...just insane. Italian meringue? Something I'd only seen on master chef/bake off, and I was not disappointed! Next up was the Baked Chocolate Mousse, which as you can probably tell was chocolatey goodness but served with the zingiest blobs of zesty orange jelly which just added a complete refreshment after the deliciously rich chocolate, as did the orange sorbet and segments! Just heaven on a plate. Click here to check out their website
Have you been to the Titanic Hotel & Spa? Or Stanley's Bar & Grill? Let us know your thoughts! LFG x
We tried a lot of dishes, and I mean a lot and yes we just couldn't resist tasting some of the wine suggested for each and they went perfectly.
Off the menu: First up was the Formby Asparagus with wild mushroom, petit salad and port reduction. I mean it just looks like art doesn't it! We also tried the Confit Duck Hash served with poached egg and tomato relish. Just too good, and quite literally just melted in your mouth! We also ventured out and tried the Butternut Squash, Pea, Sweetcorn Risotto which is something I personally would never venture out to, but it's definitely something I'll be doing again in the future, vegetarian food done good! Another dish we tried was the Curried Cod Loin. Have to say, a lot of bistro/grill places are doing this, definitely on trend and equally divine. Cooked to perfection with cauliflower puree, bombay potato terrine and samphire bhajis (and I'm a bit obsessed with bhajis so this was a real treat), absolutely love a cod loin dish done well! The showstopper for me was the Casterbridge 21-Day Dry Aged Beef served with hand cut chips and tomatoes, sliced thin and served deliciously pink, it went perfectly with our peppercorn sauce. I say showstopper, but, I honestly couldn't have picked between all of the dishes we had, however, there is just something umptious about absolute classic dishes like steak and chips when they're done well and served with a touch of class. Just for a bit of sweetness we had the Strudel served with cinnamon ice cream. Never had cinnamon ice cream? Neither had we, totally surprised... and in a good way! After having a chat with the people who have almost recreated Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, and in particular The Fairway Bar and Grill, it's clear to see the passion that goes into ensuring that whilst it's a resort where you can have an amazing weekend away, it can also be a place for a beautiful evening just wining and dining. Even just using their own words summed it up for me, they have such a variety of customers so it's important to them that they have a menu that is as diverse as their customers. In other words they can't be a regular run of the mill hotel restaurant, they have to step it up a gear and provide for their many guests, whether that be the group of girls having a spa weekend, the golfers retreat, the couple that want an evening away, or a meal with family and friends; and they have definitely achieved it! Click this link to check out their website Have you been? Let us know your thoughts! LFG x Yesterday we visited a relatively new brunch bar on Sefton Street near the docks.
We were craving a full English, and boy did this hit the spot! Between us we had, 'The Small Full English', for just a fiver including your tea or coffee. We also had the 'The Large Full English', which for £2 extra had double the bacon, sausage and eggs! Both came with buttery, buttery toast, beautifully crispy bacon and eggs just the way we like them, gooey in the middle! This place does brunch, lunch, shakes, protein shakes, meal preps, deliveries, call and collects...the lot! If you're in the area, or even if you're not, head over to Brunswick Brunch Bar, you can thank us later! Have you visited Brunswick Brunch Bar? Let us know your thoughts! LFG ❤️
We were treated to Liverpool's Newest Sunday Lunch at Stanley's Bar and Grill which is the restaurant inside the one and only Titanic Hotel & Spa! It definitely did not disappoint! Their new Sunday menu can be 2 or 3 courses at £21 and £24.99 for each. If you've never been to the hotel before, then this is your chance to take in the historic Stanley Dock in it's most luxurious environment whilst looking over the water to older dock buildings it just shows how much the Docks have been rejuvenated by this fabulous venue. We had 3 courses of deliciousness and could not have been happier, we cannot get over just how many boxes this menu is ticking; it is not your standard Sunday lunch menu! For starters, we picked The Smoked Haddock Fritters and The butternut Squash Veloute. Side note... 2 years ago in a different restaurant I tried this very same dish, and have been searching for it ever since and now I've finally found it! I could happily bathe in it, it's that good! I need this in my life every day of the week, never mind Sundays! On to the mains, the star of the show! It is clear from this food that quality produce is used. We found out that all their food is locally sourced and that their menus change to accommodate what produce is available for that time of year. We chose The Cod Loin, which was served with caramelised cauliflower, curried mussels, garlic and almonds and it was B-E-A-utiful and something completely different for Sunday Lunch. I mean the picture speaks for itself! We also had The Roast Sirloin of Beef served with a fabulously large Yorkie, duck fat potatoes, cauliflower gratin, seasoned veg and a gravy that I would've licked off the plate if it was acceptable! And for those of you that don't consider Sunday lunch complete without dessert (us included), you will appreciate what followed! We had The Sticky Toffee Pudding (Standard!!), which came with the most amazing vanilla ice cream and Butterscotch sauce, its the type that comes packed full of dates and melts into the sponge making it extra sticky and delicious. Not one for sharing, we both got desserts, and so we also had The Strawberry Cheesecake which came with the most amazing sorbet which was crazily sour and sweet all at once, DIVINE! This Sunday Lunch is definitely in the running for the best roast in town! Not just the food, but the restaurant, the staff and the history. Make this your next Sunday treat!
Click this link to book now Have you been? Let us know your thoughts! LFG x
For the dining-out lovers The Art School Restaurant We’ve been in touch with the Art School, and have they got a night in store for their diners! They’ve had an overwhelming amount of bookings for Valentines evening and so they’re opening up their doors for Valentines part 2 the following night. They have two menus available for this Romantic evening, their ‘Excellence’ Menu which is £115 for four courses of deliciousness with an aperitif. Their other menu is £58 and makes up 3 courses and a glass of Prosecco for their ‘Prix Fixe’ menu. See the pictures below for their mouth-watering selections. Now, we understand that not everyone’s free to dine out mid-week, but why not treat your lovely with bespoke handmade chocolates! The Art School have made these beauties specifically for the day of loveeeee. Just under £10 for six coconut, passion fruit and raspberry beauties! Count me in for this evening of luxury! Cowshed Now if you’ve seen our posts from Cowshed, you’ll know that we’re their number one fans right now! They’ve also recently joined the Independent Liverpool Family…. which can only mean one thing… discounts all round! Now, back to V-day! These guys have put on a 3 course spectacular for all you lovers! £27 for meat-eaters and £22 for veggies, this is amazing food with even better value for money! Check our their menu below for meaty goodness. We can guarantee the candlelit atmosphere in this place will have you falling in love all over again, book now this is a one night only deal! The Quarter Who does Romance like the Italians? Now we’re not expecting you to eat pasta lady-and-the-tramp style, but, this laid back but intimate restaurant is for those that want an evening of well…relaxing and eating well. No set menus here, just their usual classics but that’s why they’re classics right?! Don’t worry this place has promised romantic decorations and candlelight…count me in for a carby evening! Maybe I’ll even go alone…I mean carbs are my one true love anyway! Again, like many of our Liverpool Independent restaurants, The Quarter has done us Liverpudlians proud; and if you’ve not been here shame on you, you haven’t lived! 60 Hope Street This classic restaurant, set in the old-school charm of Hope street will be a haven for you foodie lovers. Good comfort food, done well! Again, no set menus, but with a menu like theirs it’s really not needed. I mean if you look at their Instagram page alone, our mouths are watering at their Beef Wellington alone! Or as we said before, it doesn’t need to be all Romance; why not take your best friend or your mum for Afternoon Tea? Or if you’re not free till the weekend, treat someone special to brunch! This restaurant is also related to The Quarter…good genes definitely run in the family. Host We can’t seem to stay away from Hope Street! This place has a great offer on just for V-day. It’s just £50 per couple which includes two glasses of fizz, two small plates, two bao (A.K.A. Heaven), one sharing curry, two sides and one sharing dessert. This place is more on the casual side, but you can still dress up if you’re feeling fancy. Check out our Instagram post from just before Christmas for our review on this place. #baodownb*tches.
Where are you planning on going this Valentines day? Let us know + Tag us in your photos to be featured!
Lots of love, LFG x |