The Workshop

There’s not a speck of sawdust or metal swarf in sight at The Workshop, where the blood, sweat and tears are shed sourcing local ingredients and coming up with new and exciting flavour combos to serve in this unique small plate restaurant in the Waterloo-Crosby borderlands.

The kitchen prides itself on preparing super-fresh ingredients from scratch – the fish of the day was swimming free in the Irish Sea until being caught and landed at six in the morning then expertly filleted and cooked simply for lunch service: think wild Southport sea bass with lemon and caper butter sauce, paupiette of Southport lemon sole with king scallop mousse and salsa verde, English butter-poached lobster and saffron risotto… Vegan dishes include the likes of Portobello mushroom sourdough and winter veg stew with chestnuts and sage crust; vegetarian might include crispy potato skins, garlic and lime sour cream or risotto of the day, such as leek, walnut and blue cheese, using fayre from Cumbrian purveyor of fine specialist dairy The Cheese Larder (the artisan cheese selection for afters changes on a monthly basis, since you’re asking). Meat dishes, and you’re looking at the likes of house-smoked duck breast served with Puy lentils and raspberry vinaigrette or maybe pork fillet with mustard and garlic pomme purée, oyster mushroom, apple and sage. Sunday roasts, including a size for kids, are popular, with choices including chicken breast, butternut squash with dukkah stuffing, beef rump cap served medium rare and pork shoulder cooked for seven hours; there’s also a choice of small plates, if you prefer, including a vegan beetroot pithivier with mushroom reduction and The WS’s famous beef short rib, with parsnip puree and port jus.

For desserts, it could be Bailey’s panna cotta, it could be rich chocolate pave with mango sorbet. Whatever it is, we’d like it all, please. As well as the upstairs restaurant and hidden gem roof terrace, the ground floor bar stocks 40 different wines, all available by the glass, craft ales and The WS’s own draught beer, plenty of gin and house cocktails. Oh, and local Crosby Coffee.

Want to be the first to receive all the latest news, tips, articles, guides and updates from Confidential Guides? Sign up here.