Before moving to France, I featured a fair bit of content related to Lancashire, Liverpool and Manchester so although I’m not there often now, I still want this to continue. My friend Suzanne visited Mason’s in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago and this is what she thought…
If I’d known that the meal I enjoyed out with friends at the end of February was to be my last meal in a restaurant for over five months I would definitely savoured it more. I think for many of us eating out had become an experience that we took for granted; something that would always be an option. Not so anymore – if 2020 has taught us anything it is that we should take nothing about our lives for granted, including enjoying good food not cooked by ourselves and with no responsibility for the washing up! So, when Mason’s Liverpool invited me and a friend in to sample their food a few weeks after they reopened we couldn’t resist.
Having only opened in July 2019, Mason’s a relatively new name in Liverpool but it certainly fits in nicely with the relaxed eating and drinking vibe that the city has cultivated over the last few years. The restaurant itself is a large, airy space with an open kitchen and a long bar overhung with greenery and topped with white marble. It feels classy but relaxed – striking the balance between bar and restaurant nicely. More faux plant life and neon word lighting adorns the walls, once again helping create the feeling Mason’s Liverpool is a place you could come for lunch but stay way into the evening. Tables were well spaced and seating was a mixture of comfy sofas, booths and more traditional restaurant style. It was Sunday lunchtime when we arrived and whilst it was quiet (we went before the government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme was launched, which Mason’s Liverpool is now offering) the open kitchen and music (at just the right volume) helped create an enjoyable bustling atmosphere. The staff were friendly and attentive without being intrusive; our order was taken and food arrived quickly.
When we sat down, as it was early Sunday lunchtime we were offered the roast dinner and brunch menu but we both decided to order a burger off the regular menu – I went for the Salt and Pepper Chicken Burger, whilst my friend opted for the Masons Burger (double beef patty with grated mozzarella, mac sauce and dill pickles). We started with bread and dips to share for good measure. Unfortunately for us we were driving so the cocktail menu was off limits but there were certainly 3 or 4 (or 5 or 6) I’d love to go back and try next time.
The starter included a range of different breads but only one dip (oil and vinegar mixed), which was a shame considering we were expecting some variety as it was billed as dips plural. The burgers, however, were exactly as promised and did not disappoint. Satisfyingly large, they were accompanied by fries, onion rings and many other delicious sides. My chicken burger was perfectly moist and not at all greasy. I did find the katsu coleslaw that came alongside a little bland but that may just be my taste. The onion rings were absolutely amazing – so much so that even in these Covid-times when I accidentally dropped a ring on the floor I did consider picking it up and eating it for a good 30 seconds (I didn’t, my internal health and safety officer kept me in check). My friend assured me that her burger was equally delicious.
Whilst we were both pretty stuffed, we decided it was our duty to try out the dessert menu so I ordered Blueberry Tea and Yoghurt Panna Cotta whilst my friend chose the Chocolate Chunk Brownie. For me, the dessert was the star of the show. I’m a sucker for pretty presentation so when mine came in a dainty teacup topped with an edible flower I was sold. The panna cotta was light and flavoursome and the perfect end to the heavy burger main. The chocolate brownie was topped with toasted marshmallow and fudge sauce and was devoured with the same enthusiasm as my dessert.
For a shared starter, two mains, two desserts and two soft drinks apiece the bill was around £50, which seemed incredible value for the quantity and quality of what we received. As time went on the restaurant became busier but the measures put in place to be Covid-safe such as the table spacing and the option of outside dining put us at ease. We even saw a staff member spraying furniture at the other end of the restuarant with disinfectant, which made us feel happy that they were taking their responsibility to keep their customers and staff safe seriously.
Overall, we had a great lunch at Mason’s Liverpool – the food was tasty and menu varied so there would be something to suit most tastes, the drinks menu was interesting and reasonably priced for the city centre (cocktails ranged form £7.50 – £8.50). I loved the atmosphere and feel like Mason’s Liverpool is the sort of place that you could easily move from lunch eating to late night drinking – perfect for at the moment when you might not want to do your usual crawl of different bars. I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxed place to eat, drink and chat the day and evening away. I can’t wait to go back.
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