Taste september issue compressed

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Welcome to the September edition of TASTE. This month we're really pleased to feature yet another amazing cross section of the best Liverpool has to offer. Our interests are as diverse as ever this month and we try out not only the coolest new places to eat and drink but I do so without getting a parking ticket.

This month I'm totally not watching the clock at Ziferblat cafe as they revolutionize retail before I head off to try on the kind of trainers that make you say to yourself 'who cares about debt?' Once again me and a close friend/free­loader over­eat at a venue of MY choosing before taking in some quality art near Lark Lane. Thank god my professional 'yummy­mummy' Monica can share the workload when she's not guzzling wine at McCuffies and talking about the most beautiful jewelry she's seen, (again). Any cuf­links for me? She didn't look. Actually, Monica's been after a small mention and a discreet little pic.....

Jefferson Waters Editor

Contents

Contents Ziferblat Lucca McCuffies Fazenda Rack and Dollar Taste Buds Epicured Olivia Divine The Painted Chair Corke Gallery

Ziferblat Albert Dock www.ziferblat.co.uk

Occasionally retail throws up a new concept that seems so radical as to be almost revolutionary and Ziferblat, the new cafe on the Albert Dock genuinely stunned us. Its a really simple premise in as much as that the only thing you need to pay for there is the time you spend. That's right, at 6 pence per minute, per person you can expect to pay around under four pounds an hour but during that hour you can eat and drink as many marvellous home­made cakes, buscuits, savoury snacks, delicious tea or coffee and fruit juice as you can. It's like going round to your Mum's and indeed the company wants you to feel as at home as possible, encouraging complete relaxation which is very easy in their super­casual interior. Their doors are open to everyone and as they describe themselves, 'each Ziferblat guest becomes a micro­tenant of the space, responsible for it and able to influence our culture'. This means that you are required to do a bit of washing up after you, empty the dishwasher etc but we found this to be a really pleasant experience when performed in public with the other customers, as such tasks tend to throw people together in a friendly and vaguely jocular fashion. So after making friends at the sink, the cafe takes on the feel of a very large student share with none of the arguments about pot noodles or who's using your mug. Ziferblat means 'clock face' in German and the profusion of vintage time­pieces, plus a concierge who checks you in by syncronizing watches means that when its time to settle up and leave there's no nasty shocks.

The only real question is how do they manage to turn a profit as the cakes and beverages are far better than anything Tesco's could chuck at us and thanks to this nifty capitalist equation, end up costing less. This concept may revolutionize the world and at the very least they look set to start with Liverpool.

Lucca Renshaw St www.luccafashions.co.uk Cult photographer Terry Richardson is currently wowing the fashion world with his iconic take on Valentino's new 'Garavani' range which is determined to put colour back in the world for men and women with it's gorgeous array of technicoloured accessories (check out Valentino.com) and so it's with tremendous pleasure that we can report a splendid range of 'Rock Runner' trainers available in Lucca on Renshaw Street. An intensely useful store for guys, they have been consistently delivering quality jeans and footwear since they opened earlier this year. Lucca front some really top­drawer labels such as Lanvin, Dolce et Gabbana, Dior and Balenciaga and it was with a mildly pleasant shock that we discovered the new Valentino trainers on display.

Footwear is a cultural phenomenon now and in Liverpool the trainer is iconic. Even the humble sneaker has undergone extreme make­overs by other fashion houses with great success, most notably Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga but it's not just about tarting up trainers with colours and logos. The trainer itself has undergone a radical improvement and are designed with true comfort in mind as well as style.How lucky we are that Lucca has given us somewhere to try them on,

fall in love and spend the next eight months solid in them.

McCuffies Castle Street

One of the best kept secrets in the financial district is McCuffies cafe bar on Castle Street. To be fair, we all work jolly hard in that part of town and when you want to relax and unwind with the work colleagues you actually like, it's a perfect little gem of a venue right where you need it. The place itself is charming, a very disarming blend of vintage signage and blown glass windows that looks to all the world like something out of Harry Potter but go in and you'll find you can get very happily potted. This cafe/wine bar pulls no punches and guarantees you a place where the wine flows freely and it's ok to talk a bit more loudly than in the office (although everyone is always perfectly behaved of course) McCuffies reminds me of the sort of places that abound in New York, very friendly, laid­back but professionally run venues than can comfortably accommodate any scenario because they've seen it all before. This tends to create a very relaxed atmosphere, like being round a mate's house, and only the most up­tight can resist it's speakeasy charm. With tables outside (when the weather is not torturing us) and staff who want to enjoy their day too, you can't go wrong for a cheeky five o'clock Chardonnay that doesn't taste like fizzy vinegar. With a new cocktail menu launched this week, this small independent bar is successfully holding it's own in an area with some heavy­weight chain pub and cafe competitors. Their secret? You'll understand when your wine is with you about 30 seconds after asking for it...

Fazenda Exchange Flags http://www.fazenda.co.uk 'In Southern Brazil heards of cattle graze vast pastures, providing Brazil with meats for the famous churrasco barbecues ­ a century old gaucho tradition. We are bringing to Liverpool our roots and traditions and offering our customers the best rodizio experience' and thank god they are because you really would have to travel half way around the world to experience such a fine selection of choice cuts and styles of meat. The lunch buffet covered by a set price really spoils us with choice and represents for me what truly fine dining should be about, an excellent taste combined with a new experience. Fazenda pull this off effortlessly.We really love the 'destination ambience' of this restaurant and on any given evening at Exchange flags you will see groups of happy families coming or going to this wonderful Latin American restaurant. This speaks volumes as few places can get the menu , interior, pricing and atmosphere right for the whole family. Offering Liverpool a truly unique dining experience, Fazenda does nothing short of opening up a new continent of cuisine to first timers and fills regular guests with happy nostalgia. This is a restaurant to eat meat in, make no mistake and cuts we recommend are all of them, but particularly the Picanha which cooked over an open flame pit is so tender it barely requires chewing or the Fraldinha which was cooked to absolute perfection. With Halal and private dining options and the Charles Smith wine masterclasses planned as well Fazenda is catering across the board with real style and the unmistakeably genuine flourish of Brazilian charm.Just thinking about the place makes me hungry. Check them out..

Rack and Dollar Berry St www.rackanddollar.com In this age of featureless chain pubs and standardized eateries Rack and Dollar offers a stunning alternative to the norm. It's my opinion that they've set a new benchmark for venues in Liverpool to guarantee a great night out with your mates and certainly as US style restaurant bars go, there is nowhere else as definitive, well­run and appealing.

But Rack and Dollar isn't just a UK take on the American sports bar, (even though it's great tattoo wall­art and red baize pool tables are like a slice of pure Texas hospitality) it's genuine friendliness and sound consideration of what a customer might enjoy and expect for a really memorable evening are pure home­grown Liverpool. It's been thought about properly, from the perspective of people who know what they like and it delivers ­ par excellence.

Where to start? How about at the bar? Well, with over 60 brands of Whisky and Bourbon (more than anywhere else in Liverpool) and a head bar­man who's so committed to his vocation that he has designed his own cocktail users booklet called the 'Liquor List' you know that the minute you step in you're in expert hands. Again, the cocktails aren't simply regurgitated versions hoping for the best with a cocktail umbrella and a gallon of pina colada mix, these are truly hand­made beverages, from scratch with raw ingredients and include inspired new twists on old favourites such as 'Coney Island Tea' and Margarita's that stop you in your tracks. The way they're supposed to. The last time I had attention to detail on this level it was in a very good hotel in California. Rack and Dollar really want you to enjoy yourself so If you're unsure or just looking to have a time

you ain't never had before, ask to refer to the 'Bourbon Flavour Wheel' which will not only expand your cultural horizons but could guide a Mother Superior to the right beverage.

The theme of 'bespoke' entertainment continues beautifully through their extensive menu of grilled foods, fantastic steak, chicken and ribs (which incidentally are cooked overnight for a jaw­ dropping 30 hours, in other words you can blow the meat off them) and it's the only restaurant in Liverpool which affords their patrons such this level of design over their dining experience. The 'Build­a­Burger' tick sheet is like a wonderful questionnaire for your stomach and when you have selected and ticked the boxes for your perfect bun, toppings, pattie (all 8oz in this establishment) cheese and sauce, short of going out into the kitchen to cook it yourself you couldn't have more control. This superb idea leads to many very happy diners and all this whilst watching one of the 28 satellite TV channels on 3 different Sky Boxes. No arguments about Liverpool or Everton in this bar. A VIP area out back (behind a hidden bookcase, very cool) can be hired on any night, and on a Saturday evening for the very reasonable £250 so you and a dozen of your mates can enjoy giant TV, gaming consoles, private dining and the exclusive attention of a waiter/waitress until 2am. This is a great night out and Rack and Dollar know it. With Live music every Friday and super­friendly staff they are justifiably confident in the service they offer and in the three months since they opened, have single­handedly just widened the net in Liverpool for quality venues as comparatively speaking Berry St is off the beaten track a bit. Congratulations to them for reinvigorating a street that needed it and for offering Liverpool a seriously good time.

Taste buds...

So, Mummy's struggling a bit now because the kids are back and I'm missing them and the nights are 'drawing in' (hate that expression!) so thank god there's alot going on for Autumn in Liverpool.

The sales are on their last legs but the seasoned shopper can find some really great bargains this time of year, check out the new Supertrash in Liverpool One and the amazing kidswear range by Ted Baker in Debenhams. For a bit of culture, there's the Jackson Pollock exhibition at the Tate which gives us a fascinating insight into what happens when an abstract genius takes a controversial side­step into a 'black' period. I know it sounds heavy but and as a collection of paintings they look stunning...Neon Jamon has flung it's doors open after some really splendid refurbishing, the whole place has been renovated so full marks to them for saving a lovely old building on Berry Street and grooming Liverpool just that little bit more....The bombed out Church has closed and will be sadly missed for it's daytime meditation and Tai Chi classes as much as it'a late night open­air movies but a sympathetic renovation will ensure the survival of this beloved landmark for another hundred years, so here's to the future.....there's a great new selection of Dolce et Gabbana floral dresses in Flannels to see me through the Autumn and a Gucci coat to DIE for!....check em out....while I wonder if the kids are missing me...

Epicured Gradwell St www.epicuredliverpool.com Epicurus, the famous Greek philosopher, had much to say on the subject of how to be happy and one of his most memorable comments was that 'eating alone is the miserable life of a wolf or a bear' With this in mind a wonderful new cafe/bar/home from home has stepped in. Nestled on the emerging Gradwell Street, the transition from sleek Liverpool ONE to the raw Ropewalks neighbourhood, lies a new, independent, family­run and unique eatery with a focus on meat, cheese and bread: Devising the concept and feel of Epicured was certainly an interesting process, as they don't fall into any traditional niche. Their coffee is roasted to their own unique blend of three different types of beans which would be fabulous enough, but Epicured aren't really a coffee shop. They provide great wines and stock local, artisan craft beers...but they're not just a bar either. With an ethos of true independence, they try to support fellow local independent companies and choose the suppliers they use based on these principles. The food is deliberately simple, but that does'nt detract from the quality of the ingredients, which are the finest cheese and meats they can source. All meats are produced 'in house' hence the well‐deserved name of 'charcuterie' on their shop front and it truly reflects the way as family we all love to eat at home – sharing and grazing with a drink. This heart‐warming authenticity is also obvious in the super ‘picnic blocks’ idea which consists of a selection of carefully sourced meats, cheeses and bread, all the effort done for us.

Epicured love the food of the Mediterranean but equally love traditional British favourites so they're perfectly comfortable putting their picnic block ideas together with both cuisines in mind. The whole venture is clearly a labour of love for them in terms of creative design as a family and it has become somewhere for family, friends and customers alike to happily spend time in. The unit was originally a grey, concrete box (literally!) and luckily they had near enough free rein on the design and layout which allowed Epicured to achieve their vision of sleek yet welcoming independent deli. As far as we're concerned they have excellently achieved their aim of creating a space that others enjoy as well invigorating a previously slightly tired Liverpool street. Relaxed, easy, with a chilled out atmosphere and some fantastic and mouth­ watering morsels to spend lunch with. A real winner!

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Taste Buds......featured above from clockwise....killer Louboutins in black croc at Cricket, Cavern Walks....floral displays to fall in love over at the Dutch Flower Company.....the best macaroons on Earth by mail order from Laduree.com.....rose gold Rolex from a selection at Goldsmiths...that's a bag made of blackberryies, silly......top drawer hors d'oeuvre at the Hilton...and top drawer grooming at Harvey Nichols Beauty Bazaar...

Olivia Divine Jewlery The Met Quater www.oliviadivine.co.uk Great design is great design whether the materials used are the most costly on earth or easily procured. Diamonds are so expensive precisely for the aggravation factor of mining them, cutting them, incorporating them into wearable items etc, so in many ways man­made materials are a blessed relief in comparison, not just on the eye but on the pocket. This creative freedom and abundance of choice is nowhere greater represented in Liverpool jewellry than in Olivia Divine.

Having established a fine reputation for colourful, fun and extremely reasonably priced necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches, her Met Quater store is an Aladins cave of choice. Anything approaching these designs from say Boucheron or De Grisogono would require extremely deep pockets but here the only sensation you'll get from the price tags is overwhelming relief and delight.

It's not simply the abundance of colour and styles but the actual quality of the pieces. Much costume jewellry feels as if it won't last longer than one performance but in Olivia Divine the pieces hang properly, the clasps are reliable, the rings don't pinch and the catches stayed catched. The biggest problem in this store is what to buy. A cornucopia of encrusted animals and flowers wait for you, pearls with gold 'a la Chanel' are mixed with diamante tusks on ropes of bronze chain which have the 'wow!' of Michael Kors but with far fewer zeros on the price tag, Any lady who understands how to accessorize and use jewllery to enhance rather than disguise will find something to appeal, probably several things. For guys, you could never go wrong in Olivia Divine if stuck for a gift for ant lady between 8 to 80. How many stores can you say that in? The glass cases helpfully tumble all the styles together but break them down into colour which is the way that in practice is the most sensible to shop for baubles. It really is much easier to locate and select something based on colour and then the superb selection of styles does the rest leading you comfortably to a piece straight out of the cocktail era, or an art deco profusion, or a choker of Van Cleef inspired charms, or Italian 'tutti­frutti' or an homage to Cartier's lazy panthers... as you can see, it's very easy to get carried away. Go along and get carried away too.

The Painted Chair Blue Coat Chambers www.paintedchair.co.uk

Nestled among the gorgeous cobbled courtyard of the historic and world famous Bluecoat there can be discovered one of those rare artisans workshops that really can help to define the cultural personality of a city. In this age of multi‐nationals and high street giants the truly personalized retail experience seems to be a dying thing but not if little companies like the Painted Chair have anything to say about it. Your attention is seized by the stunning vintage terracotta and raw wood potted flowers and plants that line the flag‐steps up to their door, like a breath of the Dordogne here in Merseyside.

This summer they've been nothing short of stunning and you'd be forgiven for thinking it was the entrance to a boutique florists if it were not for the fact that on really fine days proprietor and chief artist Jan Woolley will cover her corner of the courtyard like a vintage flea‐market in lovely old pieces of furniture all in various states of sympathetic restoration.

The Painted Chair urges us to do just that and offers many courses and tutorial classes to show you how to do it yourself, igniting in many the as before undiscovered joy of furniture restoration and reclamation. Everything from fireplaces to picture frames, dining chairs to chests of drawers get antiqued, distressed, gilded and crackle‐glazed all in the name of beauty and if you're not confident enough to have a go yourself Jan and her team have filled the place with ravishing and eclectic pieces at very reasonable prices. The often over‐used expression 'shabby chic' only partly describes the charm of pre‐loved furniture and accessories and it's also the way that they're reinvigorated that gives them a truly new lease of life.

Working with the Annie Sloane chalk paint collection, which comes in colours and a finish that not only gives Farrow and Ball a run for their money but could rescue any item, is totally non‐toxic, water‐based and odour free. Decorative arts have never been so eco‐friendly. French style predominates and thank god, as there's nowhere else in Liverpool

to obtain such authentic pieces keeping the look as fresh and easy to live with now as ever. With an array of adorable door knobs plus all the waxes, brushes, books and accessories to express your creativity we're presented with an opportunity to love our old furniture all over again. With stenciling and lamp shade kits there's a distinct possibility you may change your entire home and have the most fun in the process. They have very lively Facebook and Twitter pages which are brimming with news and classes on offer and a great website and Jan's blog to keep us inspired. The Painted Chair has captured their niche in Liverpool to perfection making it always a pleasure to drop in or just pass by. It's really great to see the spirit of recycling looking so good...

Corke Gallery 296 ­ 298 Aigburth Road www.corkeartgallery.co.uk

London's stranglehold on serious art galleries has always been renowned and at times it's seemed as if anything outside of Cork or Dover Street was doomed to provincial watercolour oblivion with only the reed‐thin hope that a rich tourist might stroll past and buy a souvenir. Happily, in Liverpool the creative determination of it's hoard of fine and talented artists has not only withstood this regional discrimination but defied it and few galleries have played such an integral role in maintaining that diverse independence as Cork Gallery on Aigburth road. Reassuringly black and spartan, it's confidence palpable, it's all about the painting in this gallery and since opening in 2010 it has defined itself as a serious and inspired focal point for both local and international artists, both emerging and established, in genres of contemporary, street‐art, and fine art. At times single‐handedly waging war against the mass produced digital canvas art that terrorizes too many interiors here in the North West, Nic Corke owner and curator has insisted on elevating our expectations and delighting us with original and gorgeously executed and framed art, with the last few exhibitions focusing on subjects as diverse as hallucinatory Aboriginal abstracts and a very pleasing slant on new landscapes, particularly the beautiful works by Lisa Cole Kronnenberg, Huw Lewis Jones and John Elcock.

However, this is the same gallery in which you can discover something impossibly hip by The London Police, Paul Insect, Mr Brainwash or the ironic and poignant street graffiti of Mau Mau, an affordable Banksy.

Most importantly Corke Gallery understands the relationship between the art and the client and strives to remind us that good painting can be reasonably priced and intellectually accessible, a welcome relief from art galleries that ask us to worship a pile of coat hangers or the self‐indulgent scratchings of a now jaded YBA. Corke is a wonderful place to start your serious art collection before these painters are too expensive to collect anymore and with commissions obviously welcome you can be comfortably guided to finding something to put in your home or office that you will keep loving for years to come. A very important point in art appreciation. The gallery is open Thursday to Saturday from 1pm to 5pm, by appointment at other times. A great place to support local art and still make a statement....

We hope you’ve enjoyed this edition of Taste, next month we’ll be rounding up more amazing things to do in this fantastic city, until then, thanks for reading.

Lifestyle – Food – Drink – Arts – Culture

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