Rosa’s first restaurant outside London is situated in the historical Dock within a Grade I listed former warehouse. The original open brickwork and elegant arches remain, whilst vast window space ensures breath-taking views. There is an open theatre kitchen and a mezzanine level, ideal for events and private dining.
WORDS: Jean Hill
The Liverpool waterfront is the backdrop. The Tate Modern Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum, and the Echo Arena are but a few minutes’ walk away. This could work beautifully for early evening, pre-theatre eating.
We arrived, as the setting sun radiated a lightning shimmer across the water. It was a warm, breezy evening and it felt like the perfect setting for dinner. This is a relaxing interior, patterned wood and brick, with an upmarket diner vibe. We studied the menu, and we made difficult choices because the range is impressive. We started with prawn crackers and fried spring rolls, which were delicious. The peanut and sweet chilli sauces are an integral part. Many dishes are based on old family Thai dishes, and it is the detail that delivers. The sweet chilli sauce, has perfect balance, not too sweet, not too sharp, and adds that special something to the spring rolls. The prawn crackers are substantial, not remotely dry, with serious, slightly spicy flavour.
Making a decision on the mains was tricky: a salad, a grilled steak, or grilled chicken or the curries and wok stars? We settled on a mixed vegetable stir fry and Rosa’s green curry with prawns. Aubergine, bamboo shoots and sweet basil with giant prawns, sheer bliss. It was awesome: the prawns were beautifully fresh, and lightly cooked for succulent tenderness. It is the freshness of the vegetables and the house sauces that make the dishes. Saiphin, co-founder and chef, aka Rosa adds a few key secret ingredients from Thailand. Saiphin has a wealth of experience: she grew up on a mountain farm in Khao Kho. She learnt to cook with ingredients brought straight from the surrounding fields.
We made room for a shared dessert: waffles with salted caramel ice-cream, soft, a little sticky and squidgy as you might imagine. It was a great, relaxing evening, and fun to walk back through the Dock at the end of the evening.
There is a takeaway and delivery menu. Check for delivery details, if you live in the area.
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