Cheshire chef proves there's more to his restaurant than just the view
It would be fair to say that Elliot Hill has been on cloud nine since indoor hospitality reopened - the talented Cheshire chef is the man behind the new menu at Liverpool’s Panoramic 34, renowned for being the highest dining spot in the city.
With views from the Welsh mountains to the Irish Sea, there's no better canvas to create something truly unique
Set on the 34th floor of West Tower, Panoramic has earned a reputation for stunning 360° views across the Mersey and beyond. But there’s much more to this restaurant than just a knee-trembling vista.
Thyme for change
Elliot joined the Panoramic team in 2020 as executive chef and since then has hit a high note with creatively crafted plates on the a la carte, tasting and afternoon tea menus.
During lockdown, business focus shifted to sister restaurant Thyme in Oxton, which kept everyone busy with a sweet and savoury takeaway service. After a five month hiatus, Panoramic has welcomed guests back with a series of updated menus that reflect British seasonality.
The restaurant is well-known for its commitment to local produce and the tasting menu includes dishes such as lightly spiced and pickled carrot, with Burt's blue cheese, barley and nasturtium. There’s also Liverpool Bay sea bass, shin of Cumbrian beef and Creedy Carver duck from Devon, plus gooseberry, lavender honey, ginger and creme fraiche among the puds.
The only way is up
Elliot has been recognised for his achievements throughout his chef career, with accolades that include National Chef of the Year Semi-Finalist, Game Chef of the Year Finalist and Acorn Award finalist. He started out as executive chef of a small pub and restaurant company in London and then moved back up north to be a part of the team that launched Hotel Gotham in Manchester.
After two years as head chef at the Oddfellows Hotel in Chester, Elliot made the move to Panoramic 34, and hasn’t looked down - um, looked back - since.
Elliot said: "I'm so proud and excited to continuously create and evolve our food at Panoramic 34. With views from the Welsh mountains to the Irish Sea, there's no better canvas to create something truly unique and special, and hopefully food so good that you forget the view!
“It's incredible to be part of the vibrant and continuously upgrading Liverpool food scene and I cannot wait to see where it goes."
Highest restaurants in the world
Panoramic 34 opened in 2008 and although it might not be the highest restaurant in Britain anymore, it’s still up there with the likes of Duck and Waffle, Aqua Shard and Darwin Brasserie.
The restaurant’s unique and prized point of difference has always been its panorama over the city (hence the name) and there’s a stunning view to be had no matter where you end up sitting. This, plus the trailblazing food and top-class service, is what keeps guests coming back.
Owner Cathy Frost has overseen the operation from the beginning and her love of food and Liverpool made Panoramic 34 an instant hit with locals.
Michelin Guide
In January 2020, Elliot Hill took on the role of executive chef, bringing his own flair to the menus and a new offering that includes vegetarians and vegans, alongside meatier dishes. Panoramic also retained its position in the Michelin Guide 2021, one of just six restaurants in Liverpool to be included.
The tasting menu comes in at £89 or £139 with the wine flight, which we think is pretty good value. But if that sounds like a bit of a tall order then don’t despair; a visit to the bar on its own can tick all of the boxes for a successful date night.
Stand out cocktails currently on the menu include “Berry Cross The Mersey”, a gin based cocktail with blackberry liqueur, elderflower and the new 0034 martini; a twist on the classic vesper martini.
What an atmosphere
Then, there’s the rather statuesque wine list, curated by David Beaufort Dysart, spanning 16 pages of vino from different grapes and regions, including English wines Henners, Gusbourne and Nyetimber. David has worked around the globe managing top end restaurants like The Newport Room at the Fairmont in Bermuda, and a wine and cigar bar in Dubai.
And, in case you’re wondering where the tallest restaurant in the world is - that gigantic honour goes to At.Mosphere on level 122 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building in Dubai. Just thinking about it is enough to make your knees wobble - we’ll stick with our view of Liverpool and the River Mersey, thanks Dave.
Panoramic 34, West Tower, Brook St, Liverpool L3 9PJ (To book online, visit the Panoramic 34 website.)
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