It’s 10 years, TEN years since the Liverpool Malmaison opened its doors in a blaze of publicity.
Liverpool’s tenure as European Capital of Culture was a tiny twinkle in the eye. Liverpool ONE was no more than a hole in the ground and you could still buy a tin of paint from Rapid Hardware on Renshaw Street.
The Liverpool Mal was right there at the start of the city’s rebirth, always doing it its own way.
A place to stay, a place to drink and the ultimate place to dine, the Mal became an instant smash hit in the city: cool parties, cool people and running throughout, a welcome thread of fun.
Facing the Mersey Cruise Terminal at Princes Dock, it remains the only purpose built Malmaison in the world. Here are some reasons why it is often imitated but rarely bettered. Here's to the next 10 years.
The Plum Bar
Is anything quite so sultry? Is anything quite so sleek? Flooded in sunshine by day and submerged in laid back vibes by dusk, the bar at Malmaison Liverpool remains an effortlessly cool destination in a unique waterfront setting. Want to wow someone? Hold their hand as you gaze into the sunset? At a whopping ocean going cruise liner? At a UNESCO World Heritage Site? Then look no further than out of those huge river-facing windows. It's all right there.
Sara the bartender
Move over David Dimblebey. Hailing from the Eternal City, Sara is the Plum Bar's Roman empress, a font of all knowledge which extends far beyond knowin how to pour a perfect Mojit. Fancy discussing world affairs like we did? You had better be sure of your ground. Sara is.
Did somebody say cocktails?
The Malmaison has always excelled at cocktails and takes the business extremely seriously so you don’t have to. Its new collection, bursting with heart-warming and comforting flavours, gives a real feel of autumn. Try a Firkin oak aged gin with crisp apple juice, lemon juice, smooth honey, angostura bitters and soda, served with viola flowers and fresh cardamom pods. It’s Firkin Brilliant.
Alongside the seasonal cocktails a selection of ‘Maltonicals’ have been chosen featuring favourite spirits, matching the perfect tonic with an autumn kick. The menu features twists on classics such as Havana Club 7 with Pedrino sherry tonic, served with fresh orange and raisins.
The menu includes a two for £10 offer from Sunday – Thursday before 7.30pm on selected cocktails. Happy hours just got happier.
Normandy chicken
Normandy is famous for its dairy products and cider, and anyone who has ever served or been served poultry from the French region will now how special it can be. New for autumn, the Malmaison brasserie is serving an entire Normandy chicken complete with dripping roast potatoes cranberry and chestnut stuffing, garlic butter, root vegetable gratin & winter greens. Just the thing for you and your nearest and dearests to come into on a cold Mersey waterfront day. And that’s every day, not just Sunday. £30
Speaking of Sunday….
AKA quality time with your favourite people.
Sunday Lunch at the Mal includes unlimited trips to the chef's table for first course appetisers and soup. Then choose one of six main dishes - including USDA black Angus Picanha Rump and thyme and rosemary Yorkshire pudding and dessert. It’s £19.95 per person for three delicious courses. £9.95 for children. Well would you look at that
The steaks are high
The Malmaison raised the restaurant bar when it arrived in Liverpool and simply turning up for a steak there was a tiny bit of an occasion.
This ribeye beauty we tried proves that nothing much has changed on that high score since 2006. Black Angus grain fed steak, a thumping 300g, is as well marbled as Michelangelo’s David. On the side a slow roast onion hollowed out and filled with a delicious soubise purée to melt into your moreish meat. £26.
*Malmaison Plum Bar & Brasserie, 7 William Jessop Way, Liverpool L3 1QZ. 0151 363 3640. Website here.
Strictly time limited offer : To enjoy £50 worth of dishes for just £25 at the Liverpool Malmaison, click this
