Sunday 24 June 2018

Small plates and cocktails at Heritage...

Over the past few years, Castle Street in Liverpool has become one of the most thriving areas of the city when it comes to dining destinations. A wide choice of restaurants and bars jostle for space along this elegant street, in the shadow of the stately grandeur of the Town Hall. Heritage* has been on my radar for a while, I have heard glowing reports about this independent restaurant since it opened in February and more recently I have walked past a few times and seen people contently sipping cocktails outside in the afternoon sun and I kept meaning to drop in for one myself. Last week it was high time that I finally dined at Heritage and after a quick pre-dinner drink nearby, I was ready for food! A quirky space awaits when you step over the threshold of Heritage, where shelves lined with succulents, a compact bar area and patterned tiles create a vibe which is cool without trying too hard. We were immediately served a carafe of chilled water - a touch I appreciate so much and wish that more restaurants would adopt. A round of Capri cheesecake cocktails got proceedings underway in style as we pored over the menu – this refreshing blend of vodka, limoncello and pineapple was just the ticket for a sunny day. 




A selection of 2-3 small plates each was recommended and we obliged by ordering a wide spectrum of the varied menu. Dishes here are uncomplicated and the flavours do the talking, a simple culinary philosophy which is underpinned by quality local and seasonal ingredients. As the name suggests, the fusion of styles on the menu stems from the diverse heritage of the owners - Heritage is the brainchild of Alex (a chef of more than 20 years), Antonia, Lauren and Adam who teamed up to create a restaurant which reflects their backgrounds. The result is a menu peppered with Middle Eastern and European influences, as well as updated versions of classics (think Yorkshire rump steak served with tangy beer onions and gravy). 


We dived in to the meal with ‘our bread, hummus & punchy zhoug’ a sweet burst of pomegranate seeds adorned the hummus which paired well with crusty homemade bread, while the zhoug packed a  moreish punch with a carefully balanced blend of spices. 


An elevated take on traditional fish & chips, seabass with skinny fries was another winner and the buttery fish paired well with chunky house made tartare sauce and crunchy fries.


Our next arrival - slow cooked Indian spiced beans n’ peas and Alex’s chicken curry delivered layers of flavour worthy of many renowned Indian street food restaurants - the slow cooked spiced beans and peas were satisfyingly hearty thanks to the combination of ingredients. Give me a bowl of this any day and I will be happy! 




My dining companion tucked in to Alex’s chicken curry, tender chicken pieces in a velvety curry sauce which had a mild yet subtly spicy flavour. Both dishes were topped with pillowy homemade naan bread, which we tore in to without preamble!





Next up, ‘bag of brine n’ fried chicken’ a paper bag of golden fried chicken (soaked in brine first before it is fried, to retain its tenderness) was a delight with house made sweet chilli and barbecue sauces.

A bowl of falafel with fresh tahini yoghurt and a zesty cucumber salad proved refreshing and tasty. 


There was just enough room left for a creamy bowl of coconut rice pudding, raspberries & passionfruit which ended the feast on a tropical note, with the kind of dessert just made for eating on the terrace of a villa in Bali.


We relaxed with a coffee before departing in to the evening, happily replete after our meal. Heritage is an intriguing restaurant and bar which proves more than worthy of its name, with a menu showcasing a  range of global influences which translates to delicious food. It is pleasing to see another independent holding its own in this competitive area of the city and they work with some great local suppliers including Crosby Coffee and Dead Crafty Beer Co. All in all, dropping in here for some (not so small!) plates and drinks is a perfect way to while away a few hours and you can choose three small plates for £15 at lunchtime.


Heritage
40 Castle St
Liverpool
​L2 7LA

www.eatatheritage.co.uk


What do you all think, do you like the sound of Heritage and which of these dishes would you try? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post. 

Until next time,

Camille 

xo



* I was a guest of Heritage to sample their menu, this meal was complimentary. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 



Sunday 3 June 2018

Dining at Dough & Brew Warwick...

You may be wondering where I have been, usually I try to update the blog regularly but recently I have been so busy with writing work and freelance projects and this busy period culminated in a press trip to Rotterdam last weekend followed by a trip to The Lake District. In the midst of this busy time, I find myself back at my family home in The Peak District this weekend, so on this quiet Sunday afternoon I thought I would take a moment to update you about somewhere I dined recently. Following our review of The High Field Town House last month we decided to stay on in the area, so we spontaneously booked another night in nearby Warwick. I had not visited this charming city before and after wandering the streets sightseeing, we had worked up quite an appetite. In need of sustenance (and a wine or two!) a quick perusal on my phone revealed we were within a few steps of Dough & Brew, renowned for some of the best pizza in the area. The decision on where to dine was made and it turned out to be a wise choice.
Dough & Brew opened in 2016 and it has quickly gained a reputation for its pizzas - there is pasta available too and a well-rounded drinks offering including wine, craft beer, cocktails and milkshakes. The interior has a laid-back but contemporary feel, with wood panelling on the walls, stylish lighting and an open kitchen where the pizza oven plays the starring role.


It is no secret that I love a good pizza and I love a good glass of wine - put the two together and I am quickly assured of happiness - if only everything in life could be so simple. In no time, we were installed at a high table watching the world go by, with a glass of Chilean Merlot for me and a rich chocolate milkshake for my partner.


There is a varied brunch menu on offer at Dough & Brew too, but it had to be pizza so I opted for the Marge - this classic pizza was topped with zesty tomato sauce, fior de latte mozzarella and fresh basil. The sourdough bases here are left to prove for 72 hours and the pizza was simply delicious, with plenty of fresh flavour from the toppings and an appealingly crusty base.



My partner ordered a pizza from the specials menu, almost a burger in pizza form, this was heaped with various tender meats, lots of mozzarella and piquant gherkins - undoubtedly the best of all worlds if you like both burgers and pizzas. Silence ensued as every slice was assiduously devoured. The attention to detail here pays off and ingredients are locally sourced where possible, resulting in quality pizzas which are a pleasure to eat. Dough & Brew also have a sister company called Spectacular Goat which caters private events too. 


While we were at Dough & Brew, we got chatting to the charming owner John Martin who was taste testing some new menu items including the 'Elvis' a sweet waffle topped with banana, salted caramel, peanut butter, jam, Mascarpone, ice cream, Nutella chocolate sauce, maple syrup and candied bacon. Wow, this creation was pure indulgence and after tasting a sample we decided to order our own - John kindly obliged even though the dessert was not on the menu yet and he retreated to the kitchen to prepare this towering celebration of sweetness. The addition of crispy candied bacon really worked with the peanut butter and chocolate and this was the ultimate homage to the King of rock n' roll!  


After another round of drinks including a glass of Zinfandel on the house (thanks John!) we set off to explore more of the area feeling fully replenished by one of the best pizzas I have eaten for some time (and I have eaten many, dear reader!) I really liked Dough & Brew, this was casual dining at its best with attentive service paired with impressive food and drinks in an unhurried atmosphere. Most of all I love to see a great independent restaurant thriving in what is currently a tough market and I will definitely return when I am next in the area.


Dough & Brew 
45 Brook Street
Warwick
CV34 4BL

What do you all think, do you like the sound of Dough & Brew and what is your favourite pizza? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!


Until next time,


Camille 

xo