FOOD & DRINK: THERE WAS GENERAL EXCITEMENT AT HIS & HERS WHEN WE GOT AN INVITE TO THE RELAUNCH OF WEST 34. IT HAS AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION. IT’S A RESTAURANT WHERE STAFF REALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR DINERS AND SEEK FEEDBACK, BOTH ON FOOD AND DÉCOR. THE RESTAURANT HAS BEEN REFURBISHED AND DECORATED WITH COMFORT AND ELEGANCE UPPERMOST IN MIND, AND IT IS VERY MUCH ABOUT FINE DINING AND GREAT HOSPITALITY.

Words by: Jean Hill

It’s a beautiful venue, in the heart of West Kirby. You can take a walk around the Boating Lake, do some shopping, and when you’re ready, you are assured of a very warm welcome. It’s a light, bright space with muted colours, so that we felt relaxed immediately. The staff want to talk about the food, and recommend their favourite dishes, and I found it fascinating to learn a little about how the dishes were created. The wine was very reasonably priced: 2015 Macabeo DO Tecla, Molino Loco Red, Murcia, Spain came in at around £16.00. It was smooth, good depth of flavour, and, I thought, quite unusual in a really good way.

Food & Drink Highlights:

I opted for the Tuna Sashimi, with soy, chilli and wasabi for my starter, and it was delightful. It had a real kick due to the wasabi, which is a spice traditionally prepared from a plant from the cabbage family. Its root is used as a spice: it’s smashed up into a paste,  more like hot mustard or horseradish than chilli pepper. The Sea Bass Ceviche, with mango and lime tigers milk, was divine: its origin is a Latin American recipe for raw fish and seafood marinated in citrus juice.

On to the main event, Pecan and Orange Salmon Salad with spinach and orange zest. The salmon was perfect, just warm with a wealth of zingy flavour: definitely a salad with attitude. My companion’s choice was Lemon Sole with minted new potatoes and spinach: he loved it. There’s a natural affinity at work here: fish, citrus juice and mint, a fresh and sharp fusion of flavours.

The Coffee Crème Brulée was beautifully done: the lovely snap of the topping, with the rich creamy flavour beneath: perfection.

There are meat options: steak and burgers on the main menu and there is mention of signature cocktails: my favourite is a cherry/honey Manhattan, which contains cherry or honey bourbon, which, amongst many others, is a good reason to return.

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