Digest this mini review in 60 seconds
Venue
An element of theatre with food can go horribly wrong, but the Alchemist gets it brilliantly right. The sixth opening from this restaurant brand, the cocktail bar and restaurant celebrates everything alchemy, from its clever molecular mixology behind the bar to its décor and craftsmanship. Opulent with classy copper touches, it’s the ideal venue for laidback lunches all the way through to celebratory drinks.
Menu
It was hard to decide what to go for first, but the sensible choice was to sample a range of ‘tapatisers’ to share for starters. The succulent hot chorizo in red wine jus with roasted onion & garlic (£4.95) was hoovered up in seconds and the salt and pepper pork crackling (£3.95) kept my other half very quiet, but the stand out dish was the flavour-packed pork bon bons (£5.25) with wasabi mayonnaise. There was almost a fight for the last one. For main courses, I decided on fish – an unusual choice for a whole-hearted meat lover. The blackened salmon with Cajun crumb (£12.95) was stupendously soft – almost flaking at the touch – and the Cajun spices were complimented by the delicate saltiness of my side of crispy kale (£2.50). A quirky hen shaped basket served as a plate for my partner’s special fried chicken (£11.50), which was accompanied by addictively good salt and pepper fries and red cabbage coleslaw. Almost two full for dessert, my arm was twisted with the recommendation of the chocolate brownie (£5.75. The gooey square of goodness was rich and inviting, served swimming in a delectable pool of salted caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Delicious, and totally worth the gluttony.
Service
Excellent and attentive with personality. Theresa was a brilliant host.
Cost
The above with three spectacular cocktails each (I recommend the gin-fuelled Bubblebath, £7.75, complete with magical bubbling foam) came to £100
The Alchemist
5 Brunswick Street, Liverpool, L2 0UU Tel: 0151 236 4774, www.thealchemist.uk.com
