A
couple of weeks ago, on what started off as a drizzly Sunday morning, I donned my Hunter Welly Shoes
and made my way to Sefton Park for the launch of the Liverpool Food and Drink
Festival (see here).
I’ve
been to a few food festivals, farmers’ markets and alike before and expected to
eat my way around the stands and stalls, sampling cheeses, chocolates, jams and
other assorted goodies and most likely the odd burger or other barbequed
delights.
I
certainly did not expect to be sitting down in luxurious surroundings with
chandeliers, draped curtains and fine linens enjoying a fabulous three course
meal – but then I hadn’t read the festival website and did not know that Chef
Paul Askew’s London Carriage Works
would be ‘popping up’, supported by the students of the Academy Restaurant from the Liverpool
Community College.
What
they say: “Pop-Up
restaurant in the Park” - Imagine a day in sunny Sefton Park immersed in
the sights and sounds, colour and banter, aromas and tastes from the stalls and
vendors. From noon book a prime spot to watch the same show from the comfort of
your own seat, enjoying the best ingredients and delicious dishes whilst
relaxing in The London Carriage Works - LFDF's first pop-up restaurant.
What
I ate:
Following
a Trio of Breads and an aperitif of
Ferran Adrià’s Estrella Damn Inedit Beer, all guest were
presented with a perfect amuse bouche consisting of Gazpacho with Tuna Carpaccio.
I
have had the beer on a few occasions before; it’s a remarkable drink and makes
the perfect aperitif. Inedit, with its interesting
coriander, orange peel and licorice flavours, is made by combining a lager
style beer with a German-style weissbier. The two beers are brewed separately
and undergo a ‘secondary fermentation’
once added to the 750ml wine style bottle.
For
my starter, I selected the Roasted
stuffed boneless ‘Catforth Lancashire’ quail with celeriac puree and a green
apple and tarragon jus – the dish was beautifully presented and a testament
to the skills of Chef Paul Askew and his London Carriage Works / Liverpool
Community College team that they could produce food of this quality in their
‘field kitchen’.
If
I was impressed by my starter, the main totally blew me away: Pan
roasted fillet of Peterhead hake with morcilla, baby leeks, spinach and haricot
beans with a rich fish cream – the hake (always one of my favourite fishes)
was absolute perfection; wonderfully fresh and silky.
The
‘cassoulet’ of beans in the creamy fish sauce was packed full of flavour and
the whole dish was taken to another level with the addition of the salty and
crispy morcilla – wonderful!
For
afters, a Trio of the London Carriage
Works Festival Desserts: a Lemon Verbena Pannacotta, Raspberry &
Lavender Pavlova and Orange & Stem Ginger Cheesecake.
I
ended my meal with a double espresso from Illy
Coffee.
Food
high points: as mentioned, hake is one of my favourite
fish; this piece was perfection – possibly the best I have eaten anywhere!
Food
low points: if anything, the desserts were the weakest
part of the meal but it is understandable that, with a lack of a pastry
kitchen, they had chosen items that could be prepared ahead – but they were
still very enjoyable.
Décor
/ ambience: Considering I was sat in a tent the middle
of a field in Sefton Park the pop up had a great atmosphere – a real sense of
being part of something special and a definite highlight of the Liverpool Food
and Drink Festival.
Service: the
service from the London Carriage Works
and Liverpool Community College Academy
Restaurant team was nothing short of excellent.
Verdict
(Would I return?): If they repeat the pop up at the 2013
festival, I’ll be there. In the meantime, London
Carriage Works (see here) has been on ‘my list’
for ages and I’m now hoping to get along as soon as possible. Similarly, since a great report from my
brother-in-law, I have been intending to try the apparent ‘hidden gem’ that is
the Liverpool Community College Academy
Restaurant (see here).
Tweet
Follow @HungryHoss
No comments:
Post a Comment