BLACKBERRY GROVE
by Si Hall & Karen Booth
Located just off Grosvenor Road, in the
revitalised and bustling resort of New Brighton,
Blackberry Grove is a friendly independently
run, relaxed café, bar and restaurant.
With a rustic yet modern décor the restaurant has a good and
varied menu. The restaurant is extremely proud to cater for vegans,
vegetarians and meat lovers, along with gluten free and other dietary
requirements. A great concept.
Warmly welcomed by Jo (Restaurant Owner) and Dave (Manager),
we opted to sample and share a number of vegan, vegetarian and
meat dishes.
We started with the Pan Fried Scallops and Chorizo, served on a
bed of local watercress, pickled cucumber and a cauliflower puree
(£7.95). The scallops were cooked to perfection, juicy with a melt
in your mouth texture. In addition, the ‘devilled’ Tofu and vegetable
Kebabs (£5.95) seasoned in a spicy paprika marinade, served on a
bed of crispy rice noodles and an aged balsamic drizzle. Tasty and
very healthy.
For mains we chose one dish from the daily ‘specials board’. Oven
roasted chicken breast wrapped in crispy Parma ham, served with
sweet potato puree, turned and pickled carrots and green trimmed
beans (£10.95). The dish was well cooked with moist chicken and
accompanied by a tasty chicken jus. Next was the Fillet Steak Diane
(£13.95). Plentiful pieces of tender beef fillet in a rich and velvety
Diane sauce, served with deep fried tender stem broccoli and
steamed wild rice… what’s not to like. Excellent.
Next up we went 100% vegan with not one but two main dishes!
A first for all of us. Our first choice was a juicy oven roasted red
pepper stuffed with spiced Tofu and topped with a vegan cheese
gratin (£9.95). Accompanied by red onion petals, crispy basil leaves
and a sweet potato puree, this was a colourful and tasty dish with
the vegan cheese being a pleasant surprise in both texture and taste.
Our second vegan dish was the Vegan Sunday Roast (£10.95).
Presented on a sharing board, accompanied by crispy roast potatoes,
sides of cauliflower cheese, roasted baby turnips and a jug of rich
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gravy, the oven roasted balsamic infused Portobello mushroom was
an instant hit. The entire dish really packed a punch all round in
texture and flavour. We devoured every morsel!
For our final main we went with one of the restaurants biggest sellers
the ‘gluten free’ Fish and Chips (£10.95). Snow white flakes of fresh
Haddock in a crispy gluten free beer batter. Served with hand cut
chips, pea puree and homemade tartar sauce. A real winner.
Desserts are offered on a chalkboard style menu and include
classics such as New York Cheesecake and the restaurants very own
‘Flourless’ Chocolate Torte. The kids took the helm … a deliciously
rich dark chocolate torte, served with a dollop of freshly whipped
cream. Gorgeous.
The adults thought it fitting to end their meal with a cocktail or two
… A devilishly good ‘Rum Paradise’ and a very naughty ‘Vodka’ ice
cream… All cocktails priced at (£5.50). The rum paradise was made
using a fabulous imported Venezuelan ‘Panmpero’ Rum, Passoa
(passion fruit liqueur), Tia Maria and a splash of lemonade. Served
with a cocoa dusted rim and topped with Red Amaranth. The vodka
ice cream oozed creamy vanilla ice cream, fresh cream, soaked in
Vodka, Blue Curacao liqueur, cherry drizzle and topped with fresh
berries. A great end to our dining experience.
Verdict: Blackberry Grove is a lovely and relaxed dining destination
– fresh local ingredients – tasty, varied and plentiful food – a good
selection of alcoholic, non-alcoholic drinks and beverages - served
by warm and friendly staff. The restaurant is good value for money
and suitable for the entire family, whatever the occasion.
They are open six days a week from 11.00am until late; serving
brunch, lunch and dinner - Tuesday to Sunday; with a late bar until
2am on Friday and Saturday nights. There are weekly dining deals
along with the great Sunday roast options.
Check out the web site - www.blackberrygrove.co.uk and see what’s
cooking. Here’s wishing Jo and her team every continued success
and a Happy 1st Birthday!
To book: 0151 639 9608