ELIXIR OXTON by Si Hall & Arthur Gold
We decided this week to try out Elixir ' Cocktails & Creative Cuisine '. Set on Rosemount in the heart of Oxton village , Elixir is a dream come to life for local business person Andrew Tyler-Holland . With his dedicated team he has set out a clear vision to bring something new , innovative and exciting to the Wirral culinary scene .
Decor and Service The premises have been lovingly refurbished offering the hushed elegance of top notch dining but still retaining that nice vibe that all great bars have . We were given a warm welcome by the smartly dressed and knowledgeable staff .
The Bar On the drinks side of things there is a choice of impressive cocktails prepared by enthusiastic bartenders led by cocktail impresario Joseph Nze . Also available is a well balanced and thoughtful wine and beer portfolio , offering a very good selection of interesting beers ( our favourite being Inedit Damm created by Ferran Adria of El Bulli fame ) and wines that work perfectly with the style of cuisine served .
The team of dedicated chefs is headed up by Rochelle Gill and Carl Graham - our favourite kind of chefs - restless , always tinkering to find their next unique twist on a classic - both have a wealth of experience from some of the best places in the area . The menu is a fusion of traditional flavours , great tastes , modern cooking methods and loving expertise . The main menu has an array of perfectly cooked and presented small plates , served tapas style so are perfect for sharing . Also on offer is a great value Tasting menu and traditional British roasts served every Sunday .
First up - The Dishes
• Fresh Scallops , perfectly seared with a sweet pea puree and a pancetta crumb .
• Slow cooked shank of lamb , with a harissa / honey dressing and mint salsa .
• Pan roasted sea bass fillet , orange and fennel salad , blackened butter finish .
• Surf and Turf , perfectly seared fillet of beef with king prawns in garlic butter .
• Artisan trofie pasta in a thyme scented pepperonata , a vegan dish that would please even the most committed carnivore .
We also had two sides - Sweet potato scratchings with cheesy mayo and Tenderstem broccoli with almonds and garlic .
We polished that little lot off with a bottle of Picpoul Terrasses de la Mer .
Next up - The Desserts .
• A set English custard with elderflower infused rhubarb and a biscuit crumb .
• Chocolate and coconut mousse with olive oil and crunchy honeycomb - super rich and such a tasty addition - the olive oil / salt .
And finally an excellent cheese selection consisting of , baked camembert , whipped blue cheese with honey ( this unique variation was something else and even though I have to be careful due to a penicillin allergy , I was happy to run the gauntlet for this creamy dream ) and Snowdonia black bomber .
We cannot praise this food enough , really impressed !
The cocktails were calling ... We were treated to Elixir ’ s bespoke ' Tea for One ' - pear vodka , apple juice , and lots of dry ice for a bit of theatre , something you ' d expect at the Mad Hatter ' s Tea Party - quirky and lovely .
Poseidon : Bacardi carta blanca , malibu and blue curaçao with pineapple and lime juice - super tropical .
Watermelon martini : all the clean flavours and textures plus a whacking slab of watermelon , doused in vodka and citrus juices - so refreshing and boozy too .
In summary : What a find , we feel Elixir is a unique addition to the Wirral dining scene and a very welcome one too . The whole experience was excellent , the thoughtful food flavours were as creative as the cocktails .
Elixir - we are loving your work and your world ! Full marks .
36 38 wirrallife . com