The Royal Albert Dock has launched a new winter wonderland attraction. Large-scale projections light up the inner-quay side of the Merseyside Maritime Museum: ‘Love Returns’, will integrate the spirit of Liverpool with a combination of romance, maritime and local history on film. The Dock will also be sparkling with an extravagance of lights, and Christmas magic.
WORDS: Jean Hill
Film lovers can pay a visit to the Christmas pop-up cinema in association with Independent Liverpool, which launches on Saturday 30th November until Sunday 8th December. Snuggle under blankets and watch favourite movies including Elf, Love Actually, The Grinch and Home Alone. A selection of the Dockside restaurants will provide delicious cinema-style snacks and winter-warmers. It is great fun and quite a memorable experience.
Merseyside Maritime Museum at the Dock has a number of Christmas options for a memorable evening of drinking, dining and dancing. Guests can celebrate in style at the historic museum with tempting packages that include an all-inclusive evening with a sparkling drinks reception. An afternoon tea with Santa, might well appeal to the whole family. Tate Liverpool hosts a number of must-see exhibitions, and a variety of limited edition prints and gifts from the Tate shop.
Gusto’s Christmas Day Menu
Open on Christmas Day for those who would rather enjoy the eating part of the day away from any carnage in their own kitchen. To start, guests can opt for smoked salmon with dill mascarpone, capers, and finished with a fresh lemon dressing. Alternatively try mushroom crostini served with cherry tomatoes, caramelised red onions and cranberry chutney, and drizzled with Gusto’s own 12-year-aged IGP balsamic. Homemade tomato soup would be a light option. Mains include traditional Christmas Dinner, served with slow cooked red cabbage, rich Marsala wine sauce and all the trimmings. Other less traditional options include, Roast Salmon Caponata and Winter Vegetable Pacchetto. Decadent Christmas pudding waits in the wings. Christmas Pornstar Martini, is a lip-smacking concoction of Jameson Whisky, blackberry liqueur, blackberry jam, lemon, apple juice, cinnamon syrup, served with a shot of bubbly.
Miller & Carter Christmas Day Menu
Jay Rayner gave Miller & Carter a great review (Observer last weekend). He really enjoyed the steaks. Note steaks in the plural: he never does things by halves You can enjoy a luxurious Christmas Day with a handcrafted spectacular 5 course menu. For starters guests can enjoy prawn, avocado & pancetta cocktail, served with signature cocktail sauce or Croxton Manor cheese soufflé. Then, diners can feast on tender turkey, with dauphinoise and house-made roasted potatoes, pomegranate glazed parsnips and other delicious seasonal trimmings. Veggie options are also available. For a less traditional take on Christmas Dinner, you could opt for a 30-day aged 8oz Fillet or 12oz Ribeye steak topped with pan-fried Atlantic scallops and prawns.
Lunyalita’s Lunya Gin
Lunya is renowned for its fine tapas menu, and always worth a visit. Lunya gin is up for grabs at a special discounted launch price of £32, Lunya have collaborated with Liverpool Gin creator, John O’Dowd’, to create this handcrafted, artisan spirit which takes inspiration from the flavours of Spain. Combining floral and fruity notes, with a subtle smokey spiciness and rich luxuriant mouthfeel, this gin creates the perfect festive G&T when paired with Physalis and burnt orange zest.
Smugglers Cove is a dockside hotspot for a chilly winter’s evening. The meals are hearty. The popular pirate themed restaurant has now added a selection of vegan friendly dishes to their menu. Options include crispy gnocchi with truffle mayo; roasted sweet potato with red onion and beetroot and sweet and spicy pepper-pot stew served with rice and peas.
Peaberry is famous for its hefty bagels, gourmet style breakfasts and delicious lunches. Peaberry also provides the best in fresh locally sourced ingredients and as well as options for any dietary requirements including gluten free, veggie and vegan. The new vegan menu consists of dishes such as mini vegan soup, scrambled tofu on sunflower seed & cranberry rye.
Maray is a favourite vegan destination in Liverpool. The diverse menu offers a selection of winter dishes such as King Oyster mushrooms with curried butter beans and pickled fennel, and Chermoula carrots with olives, dates and wild rice. People keep coming back for the famous disco cauliflower, which I can confirm is absolutely delicious.
Revolución De Cuba serves great food, I can vouch for that. There are plenty of meat options, with more veggie and vegan choices available. Vegan tapas choices include beet and avocado tacos served with white beans, spring onions and chillies and Ensalada Poquito with red chard, baby spinach, mango and lime dressing . Main plates consist of choices such as black bean and butternut squash chilli and veggie enchiladas with mushroom, courgettes, onions and vegan mozzarella wrapped in a soft tortilla. One of my favourite memories is watching joyful salsa dancing at Revolución De Cuba.
Rosa’s Thai Café does a great Vegan butternut red curry, and offer many veggie dishes. We opted for chicken, and prawns, both glorious. We spent a beautiful evening at Rosa’s in late summer, in a lovely setting.
The Dock is a magical place. There are stunning views with a multitude of lights glittering on lapping water, that generate peace, and calm whilst restauranteurs and retailers conjure up fun things to do. Great destination.
For more entertainment inspiration, please pay a visit to our lifestyle page.
