Friday night devouring Chinese food...

Chinese food, lots and lots of delicious Chinese food, do I have your attention people? I thought so. For a long time I have just loved Chinese food and when I first moved to Liverpool over eight years ago, I used to love going to a restaurant  called May Sum for a tasty Chinese buffet. Back in the days when I was studying for my Masters in Advanced Language Studies, and struggling to pay colossal course fees, the Chinese buffet was kind to both wallet and appetite. Sadly what was once May Sum is now a Sainsbury’s but my taste for Chinese food is as insatiable as ever. When I visit my family in Derbyshire, we go to the best local Chinese take away in Glossop (shout out Lee’s Garden!) for our Saturday night feast. Chinese food is evocative of great memories and a feeling of comfort and security for me personally, and for these reasons it is a cuisine I love to eat again and again.
On Friday night we had no exact plans, which was lovely as it is nice just to be spontaneous once in a while. I often stroll past Tai Pan Restaurant on Hanover Street in Liverpool and have thought for a while how inviting it looks, so after a quick debate over whether to head to Byron Burger, Côte Bistro or Tai Pan we decided to head for the latter. We were all very hungry so we were delighted to see the two enormous counters of food as we were led to a cosy table by the window. The mouth-watering aroma of Chinese food filled the air and chefs were busy cooking up steamed Dim Sum behind one of the counters. 

One of the best things about a Chinese buffet is there is no waiting involved, so after our drinks were ordered we went straight for the food. Wow is the only word applicable, as there was every well loved dish available both from Chinese and other cuisines such as Sweet & Sour Chicken, Chinese curry sauce dishes, noodles, king prawn Szechuan, Thai style prawn crackers, Singapore vermicelli and salt & pepper chicken wings.

There was also a very impressive array of more gourmet dishes on offer. These included King Prawn in thousand island sauce, deep fried crab claw, mussels cooked in the shell, honey steamed pork buns and teriyaki chicken fillet. Many of these are cooked right in front of you, which is always a good sign. I sipped my glass of excellent, dry house white wine whilst tucking into a plate heaped with prawn toast, spring rolls, noodles, sweet and sour chicken and prawn crackers. My dining companions meanwhile enjoyed filet of beef, salt and pepper chicken wings, spare ribs and honey pork buns. Everything was delicious and we were soon going back for more. 

The thousand island king prawns were some of the most succulent prawns I have ever tasted, with crispy batter which gave way to juicy giant prawns. The sushi counter was hugely attractive and the sheer range on offer was amazing with traditional California rolls next to an array of other options such as chicken Katsu roll and vegetable rolls. The sushi chef was very friendly and knowledgeable and he talked me through all the different options. 

We tucked into a final round of platefuls (I know three plates each, don’t judge me!) including sushi, fluffy boiled rice and vegetable curry. Another round of drinks was ordered and a few groans issued forth as to why we had eaten so much, before we decided that we just had to sample the dessert selection too! The choice was incredible, with fruit jelly, fresh fruit, mini doughnuts and assorted cakes on offer alongside a large selection of ice creams. I tried a mini strawberry cake, strawberry ice cream (do you get the impression I like strawberries?!) and a coconut and mango jelly. We also tried the mini doughnuts which were out of this world bites of sinfully sugary dough and some unusual desserts (which I am not sure of the name of) consisting of a sweet crispy pastry shell filled with cream and fruit. 

Oh my goodness, what a delicious meal it was and we all had such a good time. The selection of food on offer was simply astounding, and it was exceptionally good value as the bill only came to around £40 per couple for the full meal and two rounds of drinks. This is a place which offers delicious food (as much of it as you can eat!) great service and pleasant surroundings and we will definitely be back again soon.

So that is all from me for now, please tell me if you like Chinese food and if so what is your favourite dish? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this and thank you so much for reading this post!

Until next time,

Camille

xo

VIP launch party of The Old Blind School

Hi everyone, I hope that you have all had a great week! I have spoken to you before about The Old Blind School in Liverpool. This historic Grade II listed building was formerly a school for the blind and it had been left in a sad state of neglect until it was recently acquired by Paul Newman and David Mooney of New Moon Company. They already had six successful restaurants and bars across the North West and the opening of the Old Blind School or TOBS as she is affectionately known means that they now have seven restaurants and bars. They spent a long time restoring the building to its former glory, designing the interiors with an exceptional eye for detail. Many breath-taking features catch the eye all around the building including two sweeping marble bars, feature lighting, a spacious outdoor terrace and works of art and ephemera adding quirky touches here and there.
The place feels welcoming and exciting as soon as you walk in, and the split level venue has over 200 covers meaning that it is a great place to dine or just to stop off for one of the excellent cocktails, wines and beers.
Last night was the highly anticipated VIP launch party and it was the hottest ticket in town. I felt very fortunate to be able to attended and I cannot wait to share a few of the highlights of the party with you! It was a beautiful sunny evening, and fire jugglers were performing outside when we arrived at the party! Inside, the thirst of the lucky guests was quenched by delicious Lemon and Thyme champagne cocktails decorated with herbs and flowers. The bartenders at TOBS are hugely knowledgeable, and they mix cocktails to absolute perfection!

This wall of hands is so striking! 

It was an amazing evening and guests had a wonderful time mingling over cocktails both in the downstairs and upstairs bars. The party really launched TOBS with a bang and this was a launch event that everybody will be talking about for a long time to come. There was a host of delicious foods on offer too, such as mini burgers, tempura prawns and fish in beer batter. Yummy. Plenty of people had booked in for meals in the restaurant upstairs too, and they were enjoying their delicious meals whilst soaking up the ambiance of the party. 

The amazing fire jugglers were so talented! 

Bar manager Chris expertly mixing a Mimosa-sorry for the sneaky pictures Chris !

 

Guests mingled in the two stunning bar areas.

As well as the fire jugglers, there was an amazing live band who performed an eclectic selection of classic tunes including covers of The Beatles. The crowds were loving the live music and some of the guests were dancing but I refrained from doing so as I was wearing heels and I had indulged in *one or two* (ahem) delicious cocktails! It was a pleasure to see the band perform and they were so talented! 

One of the delicious 'Blind Orange Mimosa' cocktails I enjoyed during the party. 

Later on I had the chance to catch up with some friends and I also met some people for the first time, which was so nice. I love going to parties and this one was just so much fun! Outside, plenty of people were soaking up the last rays of warm evening sun on the spacious outdoor terraces. The outdoor spaces really add another great element to TOBS and I can tell that the terrace will be the place to soak up the sun over cocktails in the summer!

Guests enjoying the sunshine on the spacious outdoor terrace at TOBS 

I saw the lovely Mark Byron who starred in Big Brother and has a very successful eyebrow company. We have met before but this time we had chance for a picture together.

A beautiful sunset on the terrace

 The stunning stairwell decorated with bespoke art works and a feature chandelier

 A delicious 'Blind Orange Mimosa' 

Cocktails in the sunshine. 

The bartenders hard at work serving the guests a variety of delicious cocktails, wines and beers.

A lemon and thyme champagne cocktail which welcomed the guests 

 I caught up with my lovely friend Emma and her friend Leah 

I had a lovely time chatting to Lyndsey who I met at the TOBS press party

 I met the lovely Ryan Mira, a very successful PR entrepreneur

I met the beautiful model Amanda Harrington during the party too.

What an unforgettable party, welcome to Liverpool TOBS!

So that is all from me for now, what an amazing party the launch night of TOBS was. Thank you to Paul Newman and David Mooney and everyone involved in making this such a wonderful occasion. I was honoured to be invited. What do you all think, would you like to sip a Mimosa in the bar at TOBS? I can't wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post! 

The Old Blind School

24 Hardman Street, 

Liverpool,

Merseyside, 

L1 9AX

0151 709 8002

info@oldblindschool.co.uk

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

Comfort food and cocktails at Bierkeller Liverpool...

As a food writer I enjoy eating at so many lovely restaurants and it is wonderful to enjoy fine dining and a variety of delicious cuisine from all around the world cooked by chefs at the top of their profession. Sometimes, it is nice to eat out somewhere with a truly relaxed and informal feel to it with a menu filled with what can only be described as comfort food. Yesterday was a very hectic day, I had an early meeting at the Hilton hotel in Liverpool followed by rushing to Chester for another meeting (as well as a dental appointment!) by the time I got back to Liverpool in the evening I was feeling tired and stressed out, so I was delighted to head out for dinner and looking forward to some truly rib-sticking classic comfort food.

I was given the opportunity to review the Bierkeller in Liverpool and I perused the menu online, thrilled to see hearty dishes such as hot dogs, burgers and sharing platters. Since I am not the type of girl to nibble half a lettuce leaf when I go out to dinner, this was a menu I was pleased by! Bierkeller is known for its amazing selection of beers, imported German Bratwurst (and authentic Currywurst which I practically lived on when I lived in Heidelberg!) as well as live music including performances by traditional Bavarian style Oompah Bands! Located in the heart of Liverpool One, we made our way to the Bierkeller looking forward to food and fun. In the last of the evening sunshine, people were soaking up the rays on the outdoor terrace and drinking huge traditional Steins of German Bier.

We were warmly welcomed and ushered to a comfortable table with booth seating, overlooking the busy bar where live music was playing. We sipped a delicious Long Island Iced Tea (summer=cocktails!) and perused the menu before deciding to start our meal with The Shooters Platter, consisting of a giant tray filled with Buffalo wings, onion rings, mozzarella melts, cheese nachos and spicy wedges. This was served with BBQ and sweet chilli dips. My oh my, there was supposed to be enough for 2 people to share but in truth there was enough for four. Portion sizes at Bierkeller are very generous which makes it a great place to head when you are feeling very hungry.   I was impressed by the vast choice on the menu, including pizzas, pasta, salads, gumbo and curry. There really is something for everyone. 

The Shooters Platter 

Long Island Iced Tea 

 
For the main course I was determined to have a burger (I should warn you, nobody stands between me and a burger after a long and stressful day!) so I was pleased to see a choice of Gourmet burgers on the menu for £7.95 including Prime Ground Beef, Chicken, Wild Boar & Apple, Kangaroo, Venison and Lamb. Despite the more exotic options, I opted for the chicken burger topped with The Tex Mex; Chilli, sour cream, salsa and cheese. The burger was served with lettuce, tomato, and relish in a brioche bun. The chicken was tender and juicy; having been flame grilled to perfection and the brioche bun was light and fluffy. 

Gourmet chicken burger with Tex Mex topping 

The Tex Mex topping added another element of enjoyment to the delicious burger and the bucket of crispy fries were the perfect accompaniment. My dining companion had the The Big Dog (£7.95) two classic German Bratwurst hot dogs served in a roll with mustard and ketchup. He chose the decadent topping of The Dirty Sanchez, Jalapenos, guacamole, fresh chipotle salsa, cheese and chipotle sauce. 

 The Big Dog with Dirty Sanchez topping 

Crispy fries topped with fresh herbs

He loved the smoky hot dogs and the topping just added even more enjoyment to this delicious dish! For once I passed up the option of dessert, but he chose the Apple Strudel, served with berry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream. I always feel most desserts are overpriced when dining out (for example, places which serve slivers of shop bought cheesecake for £5.95...not fair!) but I think that Bierkeller desserts are fairly priced at just £2. 95 The strudel was light and airy with plenty of apple and a good kick of cinnamon too. 

Apple Strudel with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream

Meanwhile, for my dessert I had another cocktail which quite frankly I think is the best kind of dessert! the 'Elephants Mudbath' was like a delicious milkshake with a nice alcoholic kick and plenty of fragrant mint. Yum! 

The whole meal was delicious, the service was friendly and the cocktails were strong and tasty. I would recommend Bierkeller as the perfect place to go with a group of friends for a few drinks, or just for a delicious bite to eat alongside a few cocktails! 

 What do you all think, would you like to have some delicious food and cocktails at Bierkeller? I can't  wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Birkeller Liverpool 

6 Thomas Steers Way

Liverpool 

L1 8LW

08455 333 000

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

Congratulations to a great chef!

Hi everyone, I hope that you are all having a great week so far! I am bringing you a special post today because I want to wish a friend of mine the warmest congratulations. Matt Worswick, the talented chef at The Lawns Restaurant at Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa, in Wirral, England has revealed that he will be taking part in the new series of the BBC 2 television show Great British Menu. Well done Matt! This is such exciting news because he is a very talented and visionary chef who has a way of pairing wonderful flavour combinations with exquisite techniques, producing some of the finest plates of food ever seen. I had the pleasure of dining at The Lawns a while ago and I still reminisce about the delicious meal which consisted of an exquisite tasting menu followed by a gargantuan selection of wonderful cheese. It may surprise people to think that even now as a seasoned food writer, I am still reluctant to eat some things such as squid and Matt made me enjoy a squid dish more than I ever have before. His talent lies in pairing exquisite ingredients to make truly enjoyable dishes, and the execution and presentation of his food is a credit to him and his team at The Lawns. I am so looking forward to seeing what he will prepare on the show, it will be wonderful to watch him compete and I am sending the best of luck to him for his time on Great British Menu!  I thought that this was the perfect time to share some of the dishes I enjoyed at The Lawns with you all again, as it was one of the best meals I have ever been fortunate enough to eat!

 Artichoke Ragout with Artichoke Crisps this was the amuse-bouche and it got the meal off to a wonderful start. The artichoke foam was a fun texture and the flavours were so rich with a touch of sweetness. 

 Red Mullet with Parmesan Gnocchi this was a divine dish and I have never known fish cooked to such flaky and tender perfection. The Parmesan Gnocchi gave it a real warmth and the squid and olive crumb were delightful in both taste and texture. 

Seared Scottish scallop with maple glazed chicken wing. 

Chicken and ham terrine with swede textures.

Pineapple cheesecake with coconut gel.

Raspberry soufflé with elderflower sorbet and elderflower granola.

With dishes like these, no wonder Matt Worswick has been selected to appear on Great British Menu! What do you all think, which of these dishes would you like to try? As always I can't wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post! 

Until next time, 

 Camille 

xo