The Club House Liverpool...

I am sure many readers would agree that January feels like time for a holiday, with grey skies reminding us that spring is still a way off. Unfortunately, most of us can’t go away at this time of the year which is why I was delighted to hear that somewhere new was coming to Liverpool which promises to evoke the classy ambience of a Hamptons beach house without us even having to leave the city. This may sound too good to be true, but my wish was granted for a little touch of that holiday feeling when I was invited to the media preview evening for The Club House, a vast and imposing new restaurant and bar located in the heart of Liverpool One and operated by the award winning New World Trading Company.

The beautiful building has been created with a more than a little nod to the crisp neoclassical style which dominates the Hamptons and New England. Walking up the pathway lined with trees festooned with fairy lights makes you feel like you have stumbled on to a film set. The deckchairs outside made me feel like sipping a long island iced tea, and I loved the innovative outdoor kitchen area where rotisserie chickens were browning and chefs whirled around with impressive poise under pressure.

Upon entering the stately building, a lofty ceiling opens above the staircase where a huge sparkling chandelier made from reclaimed glasses conjures up a fairytale charm. Hints of nautical themes are to be found everywhere, with replica sailing boats and life rings displayed here and there alongside floral patterned armchairs, bookcases and potted trees as well as the odd alligator…! I was fortunate enough to meet Paul Danson of Paul Danson Imagineering, the amazing architect and designer responsible for this stunning and visionary design.

After a guided tour around the restaurant and the terraces outside courtesy of the lovely Carolyn Hughes , we took our seats for dinner. I sipped a Pina Colada to continue the holiday feeling and we enjoyed flatbread and olives before devouring a deli board of cous cous, hummus, chorizo and coronation chicken, all of which was delicious with flavours which reminded me of al fresco dining in summer. There was also an ale tasting on offer during the evening, which will be a regular fixture for beer aficionados to enjoy in the cute ale tasting area.

 For the main course I could not resist the cauliflower cheese pie which had crusty pastry and an irresistible cheese flavour with the tangy addition of gherkins and pickled onions which offset the cheese  well. The accompaniments of mashed potatoes, mushy peas and HP sauce rounded off this hearty plate of comfort food perfectly.

My dining companion chose the chicken hanging kebab drizzled with an indulgent butter and served with crispy fries. The hanging kebabs are always a great choice as they are a delight to the eyes as well as the palate! We also chose indulgent side orders of battered onion rings (which were a perfect mixture of sweet onion and crispy batter) and a bowl of cheesy chips. Who can ever resist cheesy chips after all?!

I sipped the excellent house white which was dry and refreshing, whilst we enjoyed the meal and soaked up the ambience and the strains of soft piano music floating up from the downstairs bar which made me feel as if I was in a colonial mansion in Barbados…I could almost feel the soft ocean breeze lulling my senses away from chilly January in Liverpool!
After our main courses were but a memory we cast our eye over the dessert menu before settling on a duo of decadence. My sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream was a classic done really well with a springy and tasty sponge topped with rivers of divine toffee sauce. My dining companion enjoyed an equally delightful wedge of warm chocolate fudge cake drizzled in chocolate sauce and served with vanilla ice cream.

After another look around the amazing interior we sashayed down that exquisite staircase once more and settled at the bar where we chatted to many of the friendly team and I sipped a sweet and refreshing mojito with plenty of fresh mint and a good kick of rum. We heard all about the process of creating cocktails on draught and how popular they were already proving to be. The grandiose bar area will be the ideal place to dress up and head to for a few cocktails before sweeping upstairs for dinner.

The sprawling restaurant manages the rare feat of being spacious yet cosy and intimate at the same time, a conjuring trick indeed. Furthermore, even though it is brand new, the whole place felt welcoming and inviting with a genuine warmth which speaks of a bygone era. I know where I will be heading whenever I want a sense of escape without having to reach for my passport! With delicious food and drinks, live music and a stunning interior design aesthetic, The Club House ticks every single box with a flourish.

The Club House 

Chavasse Park 

Liverpool One 

L2 9SQ

0151 709 5366

http://theclubhouse.uk.com/

We had such a lovely evening trying The Club House for the first time, I cannot wait to visit again soon. What do you all think, do you like the idea of a restaurant which delivers that holiday feeling all year round and which of these dishes and drinks would you choose to sample?  As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Until next time,

Camille 

xo