Hope Street and its immediate surroundings have long been regarded as a haven for foodies, home to some of the most popular restaurants and a growing cafe and bar scene.
The recently opened Kabinett not only provides another new establishment for the area, but also a new offering to its already diverse food and drink selection as it specialises in wine and cheese.
Tucked away in the basement of a former Liverpool John Moores University art building on Myrtle Street, Kabinett’s exterior displays little more than its neon-lit name to give it away. Step inside though, and its cosy, continental feel is a fitting match for its menu.
My partner and I visited during a cold Sunday afternoon, when its warming decor featuring exposed bricks, wooden fixtures and leather sofas provided a welcoming environment, as did the friendly staff.
We took our seats and began browsing the menu. The food offering was kept simple with a small but diverse selection of cheeses and cured meats, and the option of picking two choices for a small plate (£6) or four options for a big plate (£14).
Sharing a big plate between us, we carefully deliberated over our all-important four choices. Thankfully the menu provided a brief hint of the items’ flavours to guide us.
As we’re both fans of strong cheeses, we settled on the Cheddar Barbers 1883, described as “richer than another man’s fruitcake”, and the Stilton blue which promised “sweet, smelly heaven”. We added sliced chorizo and jamon Serrano to the mix, and ordered a portion of Boscaiola olives (£3) for good measure.
Our customised platter arrived with an accompaniment of chilli jam and chunks of crusty fresh bread which were served deliciously warm.
All four of our choices were full of flavour and the cured meats tasted authentic, while the Stilton blue stood out with its strong and creamy taste. The chilli jam also complimented both cheeses perfectly, providing a spicy but sweet kick.
As for Kabinett’s drinks menu, this was far more extensive. It seemingly offered a wine for every taste, mood and occasion, and again helpfully described the flavours for anyone who isn’t a connoisseur.
One the lookout for a more straightforward beverage though, my partner picked a Brooklyn Lager (£4.50) from the more than satisfying selection of beers, spirits and soft drinks, whilst the cocktail range caught my eye.
From the interesting choice of classics (£7) to ‘Kabinett minister originals’ (£8) I chose one of my favourites, the Mojito, which was refreshing as always and came with a dark rum float providing a more intense flavour.
We left Kabinett feeling satisfyingly full from our big plate of cheese and meats, which alternatively would have been perfect to share as a sociable snack with a couple more people, yet we were keen to return and further explore its broad selection of drinks.
With Hope Street on its doorstep, Kabinett is perfectly placed for a pre or post-theatre visit, and its quirky cocktails are ideal for a lively evening away from the bustle of the city’s main night spots.
