Ooh la Loup. It’s another new restaurant from the team at Neon Jamon
The shitshow of Brexit clearly hasn’t ruined our appetite for all things European, as Liverpool’s Ropewalks welcomes a second French-inspired restaurant to the neighbourhood this month.
Just a stone’s throw from our fromage favourite Petit Café Du Coin, Brasserie Loup will open on Tuesday 18 May in the upstairs space of Wolf & Waffle on Berry Street.
Desserts are the kind of affair that you can’t say “Non” to
“French fare cooked to perfection” is the name of the game from the team behind Neon Jamon, who now operate both Wolf & Waffle in the city centre and Berrington’s in Allerton.
When Neon Jamon closed we were devastated. No more straw fries with eggs and paprika? No more onglet steak or salt cod croquetas? No more Nutella cheesecake? We were so upset that we had to down an entire pitcher of sangria.
After clearing up the empties, writer Megan Walsh dashed over to Penny Lane and managed to console us with a glowing review of Berrington’s that included giant Argentinian prawns, perfectly charred sea bream and the best tuna tartare she’d ever had. Rebecca Fry was equally impressed with Wolf & Waffle, a café-cum-sports bar with a menu made up entirely of, yep you guessed it, waffles.
We know that these guys are serious about food, but how will that translate to a French brasserie in Chinatown?
The 60-cover restaurant promises traditional French dishes cooked using simple flavours and the finest season ingredients, with highlights including indulgent cheesy onion soup, chicken liver parfait and moules frites with garlic and white wine sauce.
“Serving a delectable menu of classic French fare cooked to perfection, diners can expect great tasting simple dishes, hearty portions and a lively atmosphere,” says the blurb.
We’ve had a quick peruse of the menu, which is split into entrees, plats, fromage and desserts, and definitely like the sound of soupe à l'oignon gratinée (£8), tartare de filet de boeuf (£10) and champignon sauvage (£8) a worthy contender to replace the wild mushrooms at Neon Jamon.
Mains include steak frites (£24), pan fried cod fillet (£18) and grilled Scottish lobster at market price. There’s also an ingenious vegan offering of kiev tofu et frites (£14).
Desserts are the kind of affair that you can’t say “Non” to, including crème brûlée, tarte tatin with crème anglaise, and forêt noire, all priced at £7.50. Let them eat cake.
The space itself provides a relaxed dining area with luxurious green velvet furnishings, chic French artwork and hanging plants throughout. Added playful interiors reflect the easy going style of the restaurant, including a beret clad gold mannequin head, eye-catching pink neon sign and an antique chandelier draped in ivy.
The drinks menu has a variety of smooth French wines, craft beers and fruity cocktails, all of which can be enjoyed as a digestif in the downstairs “secret beer garden” on a balmy summer evening. (Clue: it’s round the back.)
Updated 29/08/2021 - Brasserie Loup has now closed down.
