Reviews in Liverpool and Merseyside

The Barking Frog was a wonderful surprise. We had just wandered in from a wine and cheese tasting at the Chateau Ste. Michelle on a Wed night and decided we just wanted a 'bite to eat'. Well, we decided on 'going for the gusto' and having the tasting menu with the wine pairing. The meal was flawless. If Michelin stars could be awarded here in the USA as in Europe, then barking frog is definitely at least a two star (three being the highest). There are meals that stand out and are permanently etched in your memory for me - a three star Michelin in the Netherlands, a two star Michelin in Brussels, the 'Lampreia' in Seattle and now the Barking Frog (in all my international travels) stand out as dinners you will always remember. The 5 course tasting menu dinner was highly original ...somehow not something I would expect in 'Woodinville'. The consome with foie gras and cherry was amazingly tasteful and well balanced. The pork cheeks were the most original in that the sauce was an equivalent of what's called 'speculaas' in Holland...cookies and many sweets are made of this flavour combination which is not found in America. It is a combination of anisette, and cinnamon and licorice - very surprising to find these flavours alongside the pork cheeks...this chef knows how to please the palate...it was absolutely delicious. And the mint ice cream with pure dark choc bits and REAL MINT ...wow... I will never be able to eat any other kind of mint ice cream again after having tasted this one ...makes you realize that everything else in the 'mint department' is so 'artificial' tasting by comparison. I have no faults to find with the meal we had...it was to be totally hones - absolutely flawless! Barking Frog you've got me hooked!

Hi i have recently had a delicious meal at the monro 8th December 2007. Really enjoyed our Christmas meal not too crowded, as i thought it would be, even though its booked up. As usual the monro does not let you down. For starters goats cheese spring rolls, lovely! I had seabass and my friend had cod for mains. And a lovely chocolate mousse to end. For a whole £20.00 per head. Best value in town. I would always book in advance if you want specific dates as this place is always popular!!

value for money. spacious and friendly staff. definitely recommendable.

My wife and I looked forward to our first visit to Ziba having received a glowing recommendation from a friend. However we were to be disappointed. The restaurant itself was very pleasant but lacked something. It's hard to put my finger on it but it was something to do with the atmosphere. It wasn't particularly warm and friendly. We were led to a table and it seemed a long time before we were tended to. On to the menu. For me a good is one that offers at least three items from each course that I would wish to order and this one delivered. For the starters there was breast of partridge with a beetroot salad, cured beef with a salad, pumpkin soup to name a few. For mains there was a roast ribeye of beef, pheasant, game sausage, roast cod. I chose the partridge followed by the pheasant and my wife wanted beef for both courses. On seeking clarification of what the beef starter consisted of we were told by the waitress that it was strips of beef with salad and it was, in her words, "very nice". Descriptive eh? After placing our order I wished to get some guidance with the wine list and the waitress asked if I wanted red or white! I chose a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon my myself (not sure if it was the right choice but it was fine). When our starters arrived my wife gave me 'that look', the look that means 'I didn't expect it to look like that!'. Frankly neither did I. The beef resembled salami; quite fatty. I would have expected something more along the lines of pastrami. It may well have been 'very nice' but I'm not sure my wife enjoyed it. My partridge, on the other hand, looked a lot more appealing although it didn't live up to its appearance. The small breasts were very tough and dry and lacked any distinct flavour yet they were overpowered by the accompanying beetroot, parsnip and fruity jus. On to the main course. My wife was pleased with the appearance and taste of her main course beef and it made up for the disappointing first course. Nevertheless she said that whilst she enjoyed it it was no more special than something I would cook her at home (not sure whether that's a compliment or not!). My pheasant, in contrast, was very disappointing. Once again, dry and lacking in any distinct flavour. Unfortunately we did the very British thing of saying everything was fine when asked by the waiting staff. I like a meal of that type to be a pleasure from beginning to end. I like every mouthful to deliver new exciting flavours. I like to be able to say to my wife "have a taste of that, it's gorgeous". Unfortunately Ziba didn't do it for us. We even passed on desserts and coffee. Not like us at all. I'm afraid we won't be back.

I have had the pleasure of Dining at the Palace (and formerly the Shapla) for too many years to mention. Steve and the guys prepare excellent fresh food that I haven't found better anywhere else. The Rangila and the Stuffed Mushrooms are excellent. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone. I now live in Manchester and dont get over to St helens much, but when i do i always dine at the Palace. Top food , top service , top people.

I have been here quite a few times as i used to live over the road!! I went again the other night, the first time since the smoking ban! So much nicer! It used to be sooooo smokey in there as its small. Gorge food and lovely people. Bit pricey but yummy!

nice ambiance, starters lovely but the pizzas were a huge let down. Typical Roman style Pizza with no seasoning, no flavour, and olive oil on the base instead of tomato salsa. If I go again i'll try something else from the menu.

Called in for lunch on spec recently and really enjoyed our lunch. The plush red leather booths are the best seats in the house and would recommend asking for one if you have a party of 4. Altogether very enjoyable. Fresh pasta was delicious and the wine superb. All in all a great stylish venue -we'll be returning soon.

I Really like the shangra-la but since it has been taken over by new management the food has changed, I would still go back but it is no were near as nice as it was, my favourite was the chicken spring rolls and they have changed these, BRING BACK THE OLD FOOD! Would still recommend it...

I ate from the two for one bar meals menu and paid a tenner for two main meals. The fish & chips were outstanding, a generous portion of fresh fish in a cains bitter beer batter. My partner had the peppered chicken which was the best pepper sauce ever. Fresh vegetables make a big difference instead of the frozen rubbish usually served in bars. I have been back since and will go again. At a tenner for two main meals, you cant cook at home for that!

The cost was average but not worth a penny. The food was dreadful and had to be sent back, as the chicken was not cooked properly, service was slow with the staff standing at the ends of the bars chatting or reading magazines. The only decent thing to come out of it was the bar manager Vicky was a delight.

not since I lived in London have I found Indian food of this high standard. Service efficient and friendly. Would definitely recommend it.

Best Chinese on the wirral by far. food was out of this world, particularly their sizzling platters! staff are really friendly and service was great!

Without doubt the best Indian restaurant on Merseyside or even in England. Superb choice and the tastiest meals ever . A delight to visit .

First visit to spire, Wednesday night, we had the early evening menu as we had booked for 6.30.we started with omemade foccia bread and basil oil, then i had the crispy duck confit and for main course the sea bass, we shared a cheese which was a supplemented dessert, we had one bottle of wine and a bottle of water, the food and service was superb but most of all to me was the value for money, it was like an al a carte meal without the ala carte bill, only sorry i have not been before as its been open nearly two years,i will certainly return

As a local I visited the Anchor Inn yesterday evening ordering the lamb chops which incidentally were the dearest meal on the Menu, the meat appeared to be very good but had been spoilt by being under cooked and was virtually uneatable. The above situation was pointed out as a complaint to the Waitress when she was clearing the table with it being able to be seen how rare the meat had been cooked to, however I received no follow-up from a Senior Staff Member and this was the most disappointing aspect of my yesterday's visit to the Anchor Inn. feh, wirral.

I am so glad that I have found this gem! My husband and I stumbled upon bistro jacques by accident on a rainy Wednesday afternoon. After seeing the menu we had to check with the waiter to make sure that we were reading it right, all of this food for £6.95? When the food came it was delicious. It's not very often that you can find 3 courses for £6.95 these days, and if you do its probably pre-packed rubbish, but here the quality of the food was amazing. I can't wait to tell all of my friends. You must go!

i recently went to the cowshed restaurant for a evening meal. i have never eaten in the evening before ive only been for a light lunch in the pub. i was drawn to the restaurant by the publicity in my local paper recently. the meal was lovely, and the choice of specials and variety was great. the service was very friendly. the only thing that was slightly disappointing was the deco in the conservatory, i felt that it let the rest of the lovely building down and needed brightening and updating. i will be going again!!