Over the past couple of years food markets have been sprouting up across Liverpool faster than you can say 'ooh your buzzer's going!' and they've so far been an unquestionable success. If you fancy reading about why I think they're such a hit, I've written an article about it here. Now, just as we head into the depths of the summer, Liverpool have been hashtag blessed with another: this time in the form of the fabulous Duke Street Market.
Whilst each and everyone of our markets has their own character and perks, Duke Street's USP is that it's a little more up-market than the others. There's 6, carefully chosen vendors (see here to see the full line up), fancy tableware and a focus on high quality produce and sustainability. Keep your eyes peeled for a proper review and round-up of each venue at a later date.
But for now, make your way past the vendors and up to the first floor mezzanine and not only will you get a fabulous view across the whole venue, you'll find the market's first and only showpiece restaurant- Pilgrim.
Pilgrim is ultimately a Spanish affair but it couldn't be further from the usual tapas and bravas you might expect. Instead, the menu aims to recreate the ingredients, tastes and flavours from the Comino di Santiago- a network of ancient Christian pilgrimage routes across Europe culminating in Northern Spain at the tomb of Santiago (Saint James).
The menu changes regularly and has a focus on simple small plates and really high quality ingredients. The heart of it all is fresh vegetables and fish, with the meat being reserved for bigger, high-ticket sharing dishes. Each small plate we tried was light, fresh and completely original. They also happened to be some of the most stunning looking plates of food I've ever had the pleasure of devouring.
Potato Terrina/ Lentils/Charcoal Aioli
Cured Brill/ Smoked Broad Beans/ Pickles Walnuts
Coal-roasted Courgette/Flowers/Truffled Sheep's Cheese/Seeds
Wood-fired Broad Beans/Smoked Garlic Salt
Saint James Tart/Grilled Apricot/Fennel Ice-Cream
I was blown away by the food at Pilgrim, it's proper, confident cooking and the menu is completely unique to Liverpool. Granted, it might not be to everyone's tastes (there's an octopus tentacle on offer that looks incredible but is probably a bit Marmite) however you can't deny how exciting it is to see new concepts like this open up and give the food scene in Liverpool a big (and well-needed) push forward.
x
______________________________________________________________________________
My meal at Pilgrim was gifted in an exchange for a fully honest review. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own!