This was my first visit to the Brasserie Malmaison Liverpool, having booked it via the Open Table app. The restaurant is located inside the Malmaison Hotel, on Princes Dock, Liverpool.
I arrived about twenty minutes ahead of schedule (I'd planned to walk from my hotel, but given the appalling weather, I got a taxi), but was warmly greeted and swiftly seated. My host escorted me to my table and handed me the menu. I had read that there was a set menu on offer, but was not permitted to have this as it was meant for hotel guests only.
The menu I was given covered all bases and wasn't exorbitantly priced. My meal was as follows:
Starter
Fritto Mistro
A selection of seafood in a light batter, with courgette slices, also in batter. Served with garlic mayonnaise and a sweet chilli dipping sauces.
Main Course
Calves Liver, Bacon and Mashed Potato
Liver was served well done or pink (I chose the latter), with bacon and mashed potato. I opted for a side dish of wilted spinach.
Desert
Lemon sponge with winter fruit and served with whipped cream
Drinks
Diet coke
A carafe of water was served at the table. My meal was very pleasant indeed.
The starter was fresh, tasty and very well presented. The batter was light and did not overpower the dish. The two dipping sauces were an excellent accompaniment.
The main course was very tasty and cooked to perfection, with a very pleasant ju. The mashed potato was light and fluffy (exactly as I like it) and my wilted spinach (a very decent sized portion) rounded off the dish very nicely indeed.
My desert was lovely, light and very pleasant indeed. Some may say it was a little too sweet, but for me it was perfect. We all like different things.
The ambience of the restaurant was pleasant enough. I'm not a fan of open ceilings that show air conditioning ducts, but each to their own. It certainly didn't detract from the meal.
There was a decent amount of background music, which was enjoyable. As I dined alone, I brought a magazine to read and didn't feel out of place.
Service was decent enough from a range of people. Nick was my main server. Whilst pleasant enough, wasn't really communicative, but that was possibly as he was busy.
My final bill came to £38.50 as it included 10% service. I'm personally not a fan of having this included, but as it happens, the service I received overall deserved the charge.
I'd recommend this place as food is decent enough, but prices are on the high side.
Would I return again? Whilst it wouldn't be on my "must go to list", I'd return if I was in the area.
Many congratulations to the kitchen staff who made my meal very enjoyable. A special mention to James, who I'd spoken to earlier in the evening on the phone. A very friendly, professional member of the team. read more