Vincent Café and Cocktail Bar, Liverpool

Hotelier Paul Adams has teamed up once again with footballer Steven Gerrard to open an all-day dining concept on Exchange Flags, Liverpool. 

Located a stone’s throw from Liverpool’s waterfront, in the commercial district, Vincent's is open all hours, seven days a week; “the place for the first bite, the last cocktail and everything in between”.

Set in a grand hall that was once office space, the dining area seats over 190 on a mixture of tables and booths. The decor is sleek and glamorous; chrome, copper and leather features heavily. There is also a beautiful private dining area closed off from the main restaurant which seats up to 16 people for private parties. 

The menu has something for everyone. Serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner while offering everything from British classics to sushi (a nod perhaps to the Japanese restaurant that previously occupied the premises). 

The first time I visited was for cocktails on a Saturday evening a few weeks ago. The restaurant was bustling full of people, all dressed in their finest. If you intend to visit on a Saturday evening “dress to impress”. The atmosphere in the bar was fantastic and the cocktails were a real treat. Particular favourites were a Bellini made with strawberry caviar pearls and the signature Vincent Fizz. I believe a new cocktail menu is due to be launched soon. 

I returned again this weekend for a more informal family lunch. The food was simple but done well. We ordered Sicilian Olives, Lemon & Thyme to start as well as the Chargrilled Focaccia Bread with Dipping Oil.

Source: The Vincent

To follow, although I was slightly limited with vegetarian options, I chose a lovely courgette, shallot, pea, asparagus and goat’s cheese omelette, served straight from the pan. Other options within our group included the Vincent 8oz burger served with pancetta, beef tomato, aged cheddar cheese & fries as well as the wild sea-bass fillet, pork char siu, garlic, shallot & pak choi.

The thing that really makes Vincent's stand out is the attention to detail. The presentation of the food is excellent and cocktails are skilfully made using quality ingredients. A lot of thought has gone in to making this a special dining experience; guests are even provided with serviettes to fill out in advance with their home address to pass to their taxi driver in case the cocktails prove to be a little too intoxicating! A lovely little touch!

Unfortunately we didn’t have time to stay for dessert on this occasion. A shame as the menu looks delicious (chocolate pave with salted caramel popcorn and even toasted marshmallows with caramel and chocolate dips), but I am hoping to return soon…. watch this space!

Vincent Café & Cocktail Bar, Exchange Flags, Liverpool L2 3YL 

www.vincentcafeandcocktailbar.com

Shhhh! It’s a secret…

I recently went on a hunt to find Liverpool’s newest secret cocktail bar.

Brought to Liverpool from the founders of Washhouse in Manchester, Ex-Directory is based around a hidden red telephone box. Guests are given the mission of cracking the code via ex-directory.co.uk to make a reservation. Without a booking, the telephone box will refuse you entry.

Feeling rather pleased with myself that I’d actually managed to decipher the code, I phoned to secure a table and asked the hostess how to find the bar. “Sorry I can’t tell you, just look for the red telephone box hidden away somewhere in the city centre”… 

The night of our booking arrived and we set off to find the bar, confident that we knew roughly where it was. Nearly half-an-hour later, completely lost, and about to give up hope of finding it in time, we noticed a stylish group of people scurrying up an alleyway trying to look inconspicuous. Unbeknown to them, we followed them and were eventually led to a big red telephone box. We entered the code and the back of the box opened to allow us entry.

Source: Ex-Directory

A hostess met us at the door downstairs. She led us to our table and explained that it’s a seated only table service. We were given a detailed menu of every cocktail imaginable and began by ordering a Little Fluffi Clouds containing Portobello Road gin, limoncello & fresh raspberries topped with cream soda and candy-floss and a Man From Del Monte Daiquiri which had Reg Leg spiced rum, Aperol and Blossoms Mango syrup with fresh banana, pineapple and Fizz Wiz popping candy. We then ordered Two Little Ducks to share, an impressive cocktail of Portobello Road gin & violet with lavender bath bubbles served in a miniature bath with two little ducks. 

All orders are taken on an iPad which is then relayed to the bartenders making the various concoctions. Although slightly more expensive than other bars in the city, the cocktails are bespoke and are made using premium products. 

Ex-Directory is more than a cocktail bar, it is a truly unique sensory experience, something different and completely exclusive. 

The bar is open Wednesday to Sunday. It’s wise to book in advance, if you can crack the code…

 


Ex-Directory, Somewhere in Liverpool

www.ex-directory.co.uk

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

On a recent trip to London, I was lucky enough to visit The Ivy Chelsea Garden.  

Even though we had an early evening reservation on a Saturday, the restaurant was heaving, yet the service was still exceptional and the food really delicious; and all served in beautiful surroundings.

The menu is extensive, offering breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea as well as the classic all day menu. I opted for an asparagus and mozzarella salad while my friend chose a pea risotto, all washed down with some bubbles. 

For pudding, I ordered a crème brûlée and my friend wisely followed the recommendation of our waiter and had the chocolate bombe; a melting chocolate dome with milk foam, vanilla ice cream and honeycomb centre topped off with a hot sauce. 

I had high expectations of this restaurant and it didn’t disappoint. 

This is the third instalment of Richard Caring’s growing Ivy franchise and he has recently opened a fourth, The Ivy Kensington Brasserie, which I am also looking forward to visiting. 

If you're ever in Chelsea, I'd definitely recommend the Ivy Chelsea Garden. Make sure you book in advance (at least two weeks)... and be sure to order the chocolate bombe! 

Our bill came to around £40 a head.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden, 197 King’s Rd, London SW3 5ED

www.theivychelseagarden.com