New Brighton’s Blackberry Grove is just what the seaside town needs, writes Rebekka O’Grady.
Tucked away from the candyfloss and bright lights of the New Brighton waterfront is a gem of a restaurant. It was established in October 2015 by former television casting assistant and agent, Joanna Jones, and the change in career seems to be an excellent fit for the entrepreneur as Blackberry Grove is a welcome seaside retreat.
The stripped back pine and light décor retains the coastal vibe, and although fish and chips are certainly on this award-winning menu they are joined by a plethora of other tantalising dishes that will keep everyone from carnivores, vegans and gluten-free diners very happy.
My partner and I called in for lunch on a bank holiday weekend. The varied menu, which runs from breakfast through to dinner service, offers guests everything from classic dishes and sandwiches through to sizzling platters, smothered nachos and mouthwatering burgers. We opted to share the halloumi and chilli fritters (£5.95), which were cooked to perfection (no rubbery cheese texture) and paired beautifully with a tzatziki dressing, tomato and basil salsa and local Wirral watercress.
For my main course I opted for the Thai curry, which I chose to be served with fillet steak (£12.90). The generous portion size of green curry was lightly spiced, and a hearty helping of peppers, aubergine and courgettes were served alongside the steak. Although the menu stated that it was coriander and cumin rice, the flavours were subtle – which as a coriander hater I was most pleased about.
It was a dead cert what my partner was going for: he decided when we looked at the menu a few days before. The Blackberry Grove Special (£14.95), what the restaurant call their ‘biggest, naughtiest burger’ was right up his street - and it didn’t disappoint.
A beef burger and chicken breast were stacked on a brioche bun along with beer-braised chorizo, fresh tomato, swiss cheese, parma ham, chipotle mayo, nachos and Wirral watercress. Unless you have a dislocated jaw, it would be impossible to eat the burger as one, so he removes the chicken breast and tackled that separately. Hand cut triple cut chips were served alongside, and we both agreed they were among the best we had eaten in a long time.
Although I lusted after the caramel apple pie, I was far too full to consider eating dessert. Which only means one thing; I will simply have to return.
Blackberry Grove, Grosvenor Road, Wallasey, CH45 2LW
Tel: 0151 639 9608, www.blackberry-grove.co.uk
