The Bluecoat

We all had fish and chips and they were excellent. Couldn’t fault it. The service was friendly and it’s great to find a quiet oasis in the middle of town.

At first I thought the tables here, desks carved to buggery with graffiti, were a nice touch. The building did used to be a school after all. That’s quite original. Then as my eyes grew accustomed to the fakeness of it all I kind of went off the idea. The thought of some bloke scratching indecipherable German poetry and show-​offy Latin phrases into a table a few months ago stamped all over the inventiveness of the idea. At least original desks would’ve given a fascinating insight into the minds of Victorian schoolchildren.
I’m being picky though. This bar, situated on the first floor of the Bluecoat Chambers was a decent enough place to stop for a pint and the staff were just like I am whenever I have to greet the public, friendly but faintly clueless. The way my pint was already done before I’d finished asking for it would make me suspicious anywhere else but here just made me think ‘aw, he’s poured one previously by accident. I won’t mention anything.’

This restaurant is the sort of place I’d only really visit if I was at The Bluecoat, I wouldn’t really go out of my way to eat here. However, saying that it’s not a bad restaurant. The food is average, there’s nothing wrong with it, it’s just nothing thrilling.
It’s a large airy room above the Bluecoat arts centre, and the walls are therefore decorated with pieces of art from the centre below. As it’s such an open space, unless it’s busy, it can get quite cold — there isn’t a lot of cosiness about the place.
The food is locally sourced and homemade but I’ve experienced better in many other restaurants in Liverpool.

This is one of those difficult ones. What do you do when you like a place but have seen some shockingly awful reviews of it also? Who’s right? Who had them on an off day, or who experienced a good day? It’s come back to haunt me. One of my friends went to Papa G’s in Manchester on my Unilocal recommendation and proceeded to berate me because they had a horrible time there. It’s not my fault!
Anyway, I risk the same thing happening with Upstairs at the Bluecoat, the most literal name for a restaurant since… the word restaurant. I found it pleasant. Don’t use it against me if you don’t. Okay, the service wasn’t quite as outstanding as I’ve experienced in some restaurants but it was pleasant enough all the same, it’s not like they gave us dirty looks or tipped the food over our heads or anything. All the ingredients are locally sourced, something it prides itself on, and dishes include the likes of melt in the mouth tender lamb (again, I had to get my companion’s take on this but they confirmed for me that it was good) and delicious poached salmon with pickled cucumber and potatoes that tastes both healthy and indulgent. Plus they do hot pot, great for those wintery days.
They do a very worthy Sunday lunch here too, and the space is large and airy with 80 potential covers but can get a little chilly from time to time. And what is it with me and sticky toffee pudding? This place does a great offering too. Now before I click submit, I just want to be clear that I take no responsibility for any dreadful experiences you may have here. Maybe Upstairs is the Russian Roulette of restaurants. I had a good time… but will YOU? Dun dun duuuuuun…