Dinner at The Lawns Restaurant...

The Lawns Restaurant at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa holds 3 AA Rosettes and it is also mentioned in the Michelin Guide.  Last week I had the opportunity to dine at The Lawns* again, to try the new menu devised by Head Chef Ben Mounsey. 

The first thing which is striking about The Lawns is the interior design, with decorative wooden carvings, an intricate ceiling and crystal chandeliers. We were shown to our table where we consulted the à la carte menu, reading through the intriguing options in anticipation. 

Firstly, we were treated to smoked crackers with olive tapenade and Bresaola as a pre-dinner snack, as well as an orange and iced tea drink which refreshed the palate.

Freshly baked warm loaves of treacle and rye bread served with ground corn butter were served, which tasted amazing. I am more than a little obsessed with finding the perfect bread, and this had a deep and satisfying flavour complemented by the corn butter.

A 'snack' of beetroot with goats cheese smoke was a sensory experience, with clouds of smoke and tangy goats cheese which sat well with the beetroot. 

My starter of cabbage, consommé, goats curd and scallop was filled with interesting flavours. The beetroot consommé was poured over the starter at the table and the fusion of ingredients worked well with the tender and slightly sweet scallop, while the beetroot consommé added earthiness to the dish. 

My dining companion selected the bacon and egg for his starter of cheek, sourdough and mooli. The crispy bacon and scrambled egg foam were a treat together while the sourdough crisp added texture and the brown bread savoury ice cream was enjoyable. Taking a classic breakfast dish and turning it in to a sophisticated starter in this way was an impressive feat. 

The second bread of olive and tomato focaccia with French salted butter was a taste of the Mediterranean with a springy texture which was complemented by the creamy butter. 

My main course of tuna, celeriac, dashi and caper was simply stunning. The oyster crisp garnishing the dish melted in the mouth delivering a subtle taste of the sea and the tuna itself was a revelation, tender yet with a slight crispness which was elevated by the dashi broth and tuna tartare added a sharper flavour. This dish was so well executed, it was a privilege to experience it.

My dining companion chose the rare breed pork loin, with Lyonnaise and apple gel. The meat was succulent with a mild flavour which was enhanced by a rich jus and the Lyonnaise potatoes were the ideal accompaniment, creating an elegant main course.

The pre-dessert, based on a blackberry crumble with custard was a surprise, with a solid shell which contained sharp and sweet blackberry, delivering a taste of autumn. 

 We moved on to the dessert course and our first choice of chocolate with prune, Matcha green tea and lime was a revelation with an airy Matcha green tea sponge and bitter chocolate which paired well with the sweet and tangy prune.

I was especially eager to try the second dessert, for which Ben Mounsey drew inspiration from some of his childhood favourites. He came to the table in person to serve his signature cereal dessert, which was topped with a swirl of mascarpone cream. This dessert was a bowl of fun, with light flavours, texture from chewy rice crispy, a hint of toffee from the bananas and a creamy milk skin which added further charm to this whimsical dessert. I love dishes like this which break the mould of the traditional idea of fine dining which can sometimes come across as intimidating and slightly stuffy, so it is refreshing to see this new vision of fine dining from a chef.

We moved on to coffee and handmade petit fours, which included beetroot, Florentine, pâte de fruits and an indulgent pear chocolate. A perfect note upon which to conclude an exquisite meal.

Dining at The Lawns is a must for fans of fine dining and there is a choice of the tasting menu, a six course gourmet menu and the à la carte menu as well as lunchtime dining and afternoon tea. The food is a journey for the senses and the opulent dining room is reminiscent of a stately home or castle. This is a good choice of restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or simply to treat yourself to a wonderful meal.

The Lawns Restaurant
Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa

Neston Rd

Thornton Hough

Wirral 

CH63 1JF

0151 336 3938

www.thorntonhallhotel.com/lawns.html

It was a pleasure to meet Ben and to experience his food. His enthusiasm shines through in the clean, refined flavours of his dishes and his creativity is self-evident, with touches of excitement in terms of flavour and presentation. This is imaginative cooking at its best, with the ability to surprise and delight in equal measure.

What do you all think, do you like fine dining and which of these dishes would you like to 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 The Lawns Restaurant, this meal was complimentary. Opinions stated herein are my own and honest. 

The Old Stables...

It is always interesting to have the opportunity to try somewhere completely new when it comes to dining out and this week I did exactly that when I went to dine at The Old Stables*. The newly opened restaurant is situated at Allerton Manor Golf Club a short distance from Liverpool city centre and we drove up the sweeping driveway to see trees adorned with fairy lights twinkling outside. The design aesthetic within is cool and contemporary, with a stylish green tiled bar area and there is a large outdoor terrace too. We were seated at a table by the window where we consulted the menu, which has a good balance of classic comfort food and sophisticated dishes including steaks, seafood, burgers and pasta as well as sharing platters which are a nice option if you feel like trying a few things. I had a good catch up with talented Head Chef Paul Feery, who is skilled at creating satisfying dishes with elegant flavours. 

We started the meal with a board of farmhouse and seeded bread served with oil, which was enjoyable as we awaited our starters. 

My starter of pan fried tandoori spiced scallops was excellent, with perfectly seasoned tender scallops served with pickled carrot and orange purée, fennel tips and sesame seeds. This dish showed flair worthy of a fine dining tasting menu, with a tangy smoothness delivered by the purée which complemented the juicy scallops and aromatic tandoori spice. 

My dining companion had the soup of the day, a hearty and rustic winter vegetable soup with a mild, creamy flavour ideal for this time of year. 

For the main course, my dining companion chose the 12oz sirloin steak, cooked to his preference of medium rare. The steak was succulent with an irresistible flame grilled, slightly smoky taste and the accompaniments of grilled tomato, mushrooms and watercress complemented the steak. The hand cut chips were crisp and chunky, while the blue cheese sauce was rich in flavour.

For the main course I selected the house curry, which was available with either chicken or vegetables. I went for the vegetable option and it was just the kind of curry I like, fragrant, creamy and mild at first but with a fiery finish which really woke up the palate. The accompaniments of Basmati rice and grilled naan bread were both pleasant and the strips of pepper in the sauce gave the curry added texture, this reminded me of a street food style of curry with a simplicity which allowed the individual flavours to shine. 

 A Cambio 7 Chilean Merlot was a good wine pairing for the meal, with notes of plum and black cherry as well as a slight spiciness. There was a varied choice of wines including sparkling on offer and a well-rounded cocktail list too

On to dessert and who could resist classic sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce, which was so indulgent with a light sponge and rich butterscotch.

Our second dessert of warm chocolate brownie with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream was another hit, this was one of the best brownies I have tasted in some time, with a chewy freshly baked texture and a rich chocolate flavour. 

I enjoyed a liqueur coffee and we settled back to enjoy the relaxed ambience of The Old Stables, which is a perfect place to unwind for casual dining or a Sunday Roast. 

The Old Stables
Allerton Manor Golf Club
Allerton Road
Allerton
Liverpool
L18 3JTM

0151 428 7490

http://www.allertonmanorgolfclub.com/menus.php

What do you all think, do you like the idea of a restaurant which offers a selection of classic and refined main courses and which of these dishes would you like to 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 invited to dine at The Old Stables, this meal was complimentary. Opinions are my own and honest. 

Castle Street Townhouse...

Castle Street Townhouse opened its doors last week bringing a sophisticated new all-day dining venue and bar to the area, located in a Grade II listed building in the shadow of Liverpool Town Hall. There is a sweeping marble bar area with opulent mirrors and the ambience of understated elegance continues in the restaurant beyond, where the stylish interior design features plush green velvet booths and bowler hat lighting.

Last week I attended the launch party and there was a great atmosphere, as we sipped champagne and enjoyed canapés which gave an insight in to the menu, including smoothie shots, tender chicken skewers and the ‘townhouse tier’ laden with goodies.

On Friday evening I went back to Castle Street Townhouse for some evening drinks and small plates, plenty of people were already enjoying a drink at the bar and there was an inviting warmth to the atmosphere. I was impressed by the excellent service as I was shown to a comfortable sofa where I sipped chilled Pinot Grigio rosé and looked at the menu, where several small plates caught my eye.

There is so much to offer on the menu including breakfast, brunch and small plates. Bircher muesli and granola are good options for a healthy breakfast and dishes including the ‘full house’ cooked breakfast, rump steak with straw potato and fried eggs and French toast are ideal for when you are feeling a little bit more indulgent. I was impressed to see a ‘full veggie’ breakfast on the menu too. Brunch is served from 11am and the food on offer is pleasingly varied with fish, meat, salads, superfoods and eggs available as well as the aforementioned 'townhouse tier' (cornfritters, poached egg with chorizo jam, French toast and bacon, Danish & French pastries, fresh fruit and smoothie shots) as well as bottomless brunch which sounds good too.
We settled down with our drinks and I ordered a selection of small plates which are good to share. Chicken with quinoa and sweetcorn, beef hash with red onion jus, straw potatoes and toad in the hole with savoy cabbage was what we decided on after significant deliberation. The first dish I tried was the chicken, which was tender and the quinoa and vegetables added further layers of flavour.

Toad in the hole has to be one of my favourite comfort food classics and I enjoyed this mini version of it, the Yorkshire pudding was golden and light while the Savoy cabbage added an earthy taste which sat well with the sausages.

The beef hash cake was rustic and filling with a fluffy texture and crisp edges, it was full of hearty flavour offset by the the rich red onion jus.

The crispy straw potatoes we ordered proved to be the ideal accompaniment to the other small plates,and the array of dishes we chose showed off simple yet satisfying flavours.

The lights were turned down low and there was a relaxed mood as I ordered a Mai Tai to round off the meal in style and we lingered for a little longer, something which is easy to do at Castle Street Townhouse.

This is certainly a bar and restaurant which has a lot to offer, not least the refined setting which exudes style and glamour. The menu consists of a multitude of tempting dishes served throughout the day, so it is a perfect place for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner with friends or simply an impromptu evening cocktail or two.

Castle Street Townhouse 

Castle Street 

Liverpool 

L2 7LQ

www.castlestreettownhouse.co.uk 


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


Until next time,

Camille

xo 

Writing for Olive Magazine...

This is a short but sweet midweek post to share with you a little about my writing work. Alongside running this blog, I write about food and drink for publications and one of these is Olive Magazine. I love writing, and writing for Olive Magazine is so enjoyable. I have reviewed some great restaurants so far and eaten some memorable dishes during the reviews. My first review for Olive Magazine was the new pub and bake house The Viking in West Kirby, Wirral. I had a tasty chargrilled halloumi with chilli, lime and coriander for starter, a summer salad for main and a lemon posset for dessert.

Read my full review of The Viking for Olive Magazine here: http://www.olivemagazine.com/restaurants-and-travel/the-viking-west-kirby-merseyside-restaurant-review/14846.html

I reviewed District House in Liverpool next, where a starter of avocado on golden toasted brioche with red onion jam, cherry tomatoes, rocket, poached egg and mustard dressing awaited me, followed by chicken breast with potato fondant, truffle green beans and jus. Dessert of chocolate fondant with black cherry and Amaretto ice cream completed my meal.

Read my full review of District House for Olive Magazine here: http://www.olivemagazine.com/restaurants-and-travel/district-house-liverpool-restaurant-review/14961.html

I also recently reviewed the pizza and cocktail restaurant Santa Maluco in Liverpool for Olive Magazine, where pizza is served in the Brazilian rodizio style (table service of pizza, in an 'all you can eat') style. I sampled several delicious pizzas including a dessert pizza.

Read my full review of Santa Maluco for Olive Magazine here: http://www.olivemagazine.com/restaurants-and-travel/santa-maluco-liverpool-restaurant-review/15084.html

So that is all from me for now, I just wanted to share with you a little about the work I do outside this blog. I really enjoy writing and I am happy to share a little about my work with you. I would love it if you could all check out some of my reviews for Olive Magazine and thank you so much for your support as always.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo 

Dinner at The Bastion Restaurant...

With Autumn and Winter just around the corner, it is a great time to head out for dinner at night and relax over some classic comfort food. I went along and sample the new Pre Theatre and Early Bird menu at The Bastion Restaurant* which is located in the opulent Shankly Hotel in the centre of Liverpool. The first impression of The Bastion is one of understated elegance; the restaurant is spacious with leather booths, neutral colours and feature lighting. 

After a warm welcome, we were seated in a large booth and we perused the menu as we sipped a bottle of Il Banchetto, a good house red from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italia with plenty of body and notes of raspberry and cherry. 

My starter of mushroom and thyme soup was smooth with plenty of earthy mushroom flavour and fresh, crusty rolls were the ideal accompaniment. I love to order soup at this time of the year and this had all the rustic and hearty qualities I look for in a soup. 

There was a good selection of starters to choose from, including Gloucester Old Spot ham hock terrine with focaccia, piccalilli and pea shoots as well as smoked hake and prawn fishcake with tartar sauce and lemon. 

My dining companion enjoyed a starter of Lancashire black bomber rarebit with stout soda bread and chutney, the malty bread had absorbed the distinctive flavour of stout and it was exquisite with the creamy, mild Lancashire bomber while the chutney added sweet and sharp elements to the dish. 

My dining companion chose the steak frites for his main course, served with garlic mushrooms and skinny fries as well as a choice of sauces. The dish was well presented and the steak was perfectly cooked to his preference of medium rare, while crisp skinny fries and garlic mushrooms paired well with creamy blue cheese sauce. 

My main course of spinach and ricotta tortellini with pesto and pine nut cream was served in a generous portion, the tortellini were fresh and light and the pine nut cream had an intense depth of flavour. A side of garlic bread was a classic companion to the tortellini, buttery with an understated garlic flavour. 

On to dessert and my baked chocolate fondant with caramel ice cream and dark chocolate sauce was an indulgent treat, with a slightly bitter cocoa depth to the dark chocolate sauce which was offset by the caramel ice cream. 

The second dessert of coffee and walnut cheesecake with coffee syrup and whipped cream was not overly sweet, with a light texture to the cheesecake and a good kick of coffee. 

The Pre Theatre and Early Bird menu at The Bastion offers good value, with two courses for £12.95 or three courses for £15.95. There is a pleasing choice of options on the menu and the dishes were tasty and well presented with an eye for detail. The service was outstanding, combining the level of friendliness and efficiency which always makes me feel at home in a restaurant. 

The Bastion Restaurant 

Millennium House, 

60 Victoria St, 

Liverpool 

L1 6DN

www. shanklyhotel.com/restaurants-bars/

What do you all think, do you like the idea of pre theatre and early bird menus and which of these dishes appeals to you? 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 The Bastion, this meal was complimentary for review purposes. Opinions stated herein are my own and honest.