Set back from busy waterfront destinations, Delifonseca Dockside may be somewhat off the beaten track but it’s no secret amongst foodies.
The restaurant and its foodhall have attracted a wealth of acclaim and awards recognition, including a nod in the ‘Taste of England’ category at the forthcoming VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, so whilst my partner and I are already well acquainted with the deli’s ever tempting cheese and cured meat counter we were keen to see if the eatery lives up to its reputation.
We visited on a spring Tuesday evening, when the venue’s vibrant feel was a perfect match for the sunshine. Once seated in a booth with the restaurant steadily filling around us, we wasted no time in scouring the drinks menu and were met with beers from the likes of the, also locally popular, Liverpool Craft Beer Co. and nearby Wapping Brewery, creating beverages from the basement of the Baltic Fleet pub. They were accompanied by world wines, beers and spirits; artisan teas and soft drinks and Wirral produced coffee.
Sipping Liverpool Craft Beer Co.’s West Coast Pale Ale (£3.95) and White Fox IPA (£4.25), we turned our attention to the challenge of choosing food. An attentive waiter guided us through the variety of starters, platters, sandwiches and salads incorporating vegan, vegetarian, meat and fish options. Meanwhile a chalkboard menu of mains signalled freshness, highlighting what was on offer that day with dishes occasionally being wiped away as supplies ran out.
The prospect of sharing a platter to start grabbed our attention – we needed no convincing of the deli’s expertise in this area – and we picked the Spanish offering (£13.95). The Mediterranean mix featured Serrano Reserva ham, chorizo iberico and salchichon iberico meats, boquerones (anchovies), manchego cheese, piquillo peppers, olives, caperberries and potato and chorizo salad.
The platter provided a medley of strong flavours, all complementing each other and oozing authenticity. Every mouthful of cured meat was filled with distinctive yet delicious flavour.
For mains, I was intrigued by the addition of lentils in the Delifonseca signature moussaka, served with creamy cheese sauce (£10.95). As it turned out, they added a beautiful texture to the wholesome dish.
My partner picked onlglet steak, cooked sous-vide and pan seared and served with roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, dressed leaves and chunky chips (£15.75). He added the classic peppercorn sauce over an alternative chilli butter.
Steak may be frequently featured on menus but Delifonseca’s version stood out. Well cooked and not overpowered by the sauce, it was part of a generous plate and the quality of ingredients shone through once again.
Despite feeling satisfyingly full, the offer of dessert (all £5.95) was then too good to miss. I rounded off my feast with a tiramisu which was, thankfully, light and served with fresh fruit and coulis. And although more a fan of savoury than sweet, my dining partner was won over by the mille fuille with caramelised apples and fresh cream. Perfectly presented, both were a treat for the eyes as well as the palate.
With a focus on quality and freshness without overpricing, offering something on the menu for everyone, it’s not hard to see what the Delifonseca Dockside fuss is all about. A gem of Liverpool’s restaurant circuit, it’s certainly worth venturing away from the main central streets for.
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- Delifonseca Dockside
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- Delifonseca Dockside
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- Delifonseca Dockside
