Penelope's in the Park

Rotten Row, Re-imagined

If you’ve been to Emily’s or Brunch & Cocktail Club, you’ll understand why there has been so much hype around Penelope’s, the latest Rebel Restaurants addition. 

They have been updating their Instagram followers on renovation progress at their new premises on Rotten Row, right on the edge of Victoria Park. Penelope’s promised to re-imagine Rotten Row and from what we’ve seen, they have well and truly delivered.

When they announced the opening date, they broke the internet. Their website crashed due to the amount of people trying to book a table! We were lucky enough to be invited to a soft opening for a sneak peak…

It is clear to see how much effort has been put into restoring this building, formerly Ho Lee Chow which had fallen into a state of disrepair. The exterior is chic but welcoming, entirely fitting with Rotten Row. The beautiful, covered outdoor seating area makes you feel like you could be anywhere (with the right weather!) but why would you want to be anywhere else?

As we entered, we were immediately struck by the centrepiece recess ceiling which looks like a work of art! There is a blue, floral theming throughout, a perfect fit for the Flower Show next month! The attention to detail is phenomenal, no stone has been left unturned by Penelope’s.

The same can be said for the food - PHENOMENAL! We decided to order the French Toast and the Breakfast, intending to share half each. I didn’t come up for a breath and the French Toast was gone before you could say “Bonjour!” Glazed in brown butter honey, served with cherry compote and pistachio chantilly cream, topped with crispy bacon. The perfect brunch menu meal chef’s kiss

The breakfast includes sausage, bacon, beans, toast, mushrooms, hash browns and perfectly poached eggs. It tasted amazing, Penelope’s take on the Full English is up there with the best!

We were also treated to a couple of cocktails. The breakfast margarita had an orange twist to it and tasted delicious but the lemon cheesecake martini was something else! One of the nicest cocktails we’ve ever had, would highly recommend when you visit!

The bar area is beautifully decorated and has a huge selection of drinks. We’ll definitely be returning one evening to sample a few more cocktails and soak up the atmopshere!

The staff were all very friendly and provided a fantastic service. From the welcome at the door, throughout our meal, to when we left - everybody had smiles on their faces and went above and beyond.

Penelope’s opens to the public TODAY! Providing they don’t break the internet again, make sure you book a table and pay Penelope’s a visit. This is a fantastic addition to the area and we will definitely be going back very soon!

Book a Table

Penelope's Birkdale Rotten Row Southport PR8 2BZ

Day Menu: Mon-Sun 09:00-17:00 Evening and Drinks Menu: Wed-Sun 17:00-late

V Cafe & Restaurant at The Vincent

Contemporary, chic and stylish - Sushi and more at V Cafe & Restaurant

We knew to expect amazing food given the number of accolades and awards that V Cafe & Restaurant has received over the years but we were still blown away at our recent visit.

Samantha greeted us with a smile as soon as we arrived and provided exceptional service throughout. A new Sushi Chef recently joined the team after plying his trade in Dubai so of course, we had to try a few dishes from the sushi menu.

We opted for the salmon ngiri, chicken katsu and crispy duck & mango rolls. The new chef pulled out all of the stops with these dishes. The presentation, flavours and ingredients were all of the highest quality. Hoi sin duck and chicken katsu bao buns followed next which were equally delicious. Finally, we were lucky enough to try something brand new before it hits the menu soon - duck croquettes. We're excited for you to try these - absolutely unreal!

If sushi is your thing, V Cafe is well worth a visit! If not, they also offer a full menu of small dishes and main meals, brunch and Sunday Roasts. We've heard that their roasts are some of the best in Southport so we will definitely be returning soon!

Our only regret is not staying for a cocktail at their beautiful bar. It's the perfect place for a drink with friends with a selection of wines, beer and cocktails to suit everyone! They also have outdoor seating on Lord Street making it an ideal summer spot.

 V Cafe & Restaurant more than lived up to their reputation for quality service, food and surroundings. Be sure to stop by next time you're on Lord Street!

V Cafe & Restaurant The Vincent Hotel 98 Lord Street Southport PR8 1JR

Monday: 12:00-22:00 Tuesday: 12:00-22:00 Wednesday: 12:00-22:00 Thursday: 12:00-22:00 Friday: 12:00-22:00 Saturday: 12:00-22:00 Sunday: 12:00-22:00 (Sushi served 12:00-15:00 / 17:00-close)

Roll and Bowl at Southport Market

Sushi rolls and noodle bowls - Japanese cuisine at Southport Market

Formerly Kaizen, Roll and Bowl is fairly new to Southport Market but is quickly making a name for itself! Their take on Japanese cuisine is still up their with the best alongside their sister restaurant Kaizen in Burscough. We went along to try a few of their most recommended dishes and we were not disappointed.

We think of ourselves as a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to Katsu dishes so of course we had to try the Katsu roll, made with slow cooked pork belly, katsu sauce, tonkatsu and pickles. This is one of our favourite sushi rolls to date. The flavours were immense and the crispy coating gave it an added texture that worked perfectly. We also had the Surf and Turf roll - tempura king prawns, spicy mayo, spring onions, cucumber, topped with tataki of beef and drizzled with teriyaki sauce. It tasted just as good as it sounds. The roll was filled with flavour that packed a punch and left us wanting more!

We couldn't visit roll and bowl and only try their rolls so we ordered a bowl of Korean beef ragu noodles too! The soy sauce, gouchujang and red pepper in the sauce tasted unbelievable and gave a spicy kick to the noodles. We wish we had space for more but unfortunately didn't get around to trying their side dishes like the gouchujang wings or sweet potato fries, although we're sure they will taste amazing too!

Keith, the owner is clearly an expert in his field. His passion shines through in the way he approaches every dish. There is no doubt that Roll and Bowl will be a hugely successful addition to Southport Market and we can't wait to return!

If you're looking for Japanese food that is bursting with flavour, Roll and Bowl is the place to go. Check it out next time you're visiting Southport Market!

Roll and Bowl Southport Market, King St, Southport, PR8 1LA

Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 12:00-20:00 Thursday: 12:00-20:00 Friday: 12:00-21:00 Saturday: 12:00-21:00 Sunday: 12:00-17:00