Liam Thorp waxes lyrical about one of his favourite restaurants in the region
Liam Thorp waxes lyrical about one of his favourite restaurants in the region
If you are anything like me, the festive period is all about filling yourself up with as much food as is humanly possible. But after a while, even I can find myself bored of roast potatoes.
Well if you are in the mood to keep eating, but fancy something a little different – there is a restaurant in Liverpool that I regard as one of the best places to eat in the entire city and I implore you to give it a go.
Akshaya – The Picture Dome – is a superb and totally unique curry house you may have never come across. It is located on the main high street of Kensington to the east of the city centre and has been serving locals and others who travel from all over for the past 15 years.
As well as the stunning array of food and cracking drinks on offer (more on this later), what really marks this restaurant out is its remarkable setting. Having previously been based in a different setting, a few years ago Akshaya moved into the Picture Dome – a beautiful former Art Deco cinema – in the middle of Kensington.
As if the building isn’t striking enough from the inside, the restaurant team have transformed the interior into a luxurious lounge complete with vibrant neon lighting and what younger people would describe as ‘Instagrammable’ wall decorations. Just meandering through the mesmeric restaurant setting provides one with something of an out-of-body experience.
But enough of all that, what about the food? I hear you ask. Well, it is safe to say this place has substance as well as style. Mixing traditional curries with speciality dishes from South India and Sri Lanka, there is a vast array of tasty delights to enjoy. The varied menu means that you can team a classic Karahi or a Madras with a side of Yoghurt Chaat Bombs or a delicious Dosa is worth a visit in my humble opinion.
Along with its sumptuous food menu, Akshaya prides itself on a dazzling drinks menu served up by professional bartenders and cocktail mixologists, which really adds to the experience. As a fan of craft beer, being able to order a crisp American Pale Ale along with my poppadums is a real treat. For those in the mood for something stronger, there is a vibrant range of signature cocktails including the restaurant’s very own Drome Special and Drome Schnapper – both well worth a try. There are even DJ nights and happy hour offers to prove that Akshaya is anything but your traditional curry house.
So it is a great venue for parties and special occasions but let’s be honest, what really matters is the food and Akshaya is quite simply producing some of the best food on offer anywhere in Merseyside right now. Make it your New Year’s resolution to visit it.
