Food & drink
JULY 12
Geisha grub Katie McLoughlin looks to the land of the rising sun and finds food fit for a geisha at Sapporo on Duke Street
HAVING just returned from an amazing trip to the Far East, I’ve been less than inspired by the insipidly bland food at home. Not that my mum’s cooking isn’t fabulous (which it certainly is) but there’s only so many spuds a girl can eat and, try as I might, chopsticks, spice and noodles will never become a regular fixture on the family dining table. So, keen to give my new-found chopstick skills an outing, my friend and I ventured to Sapporo Teppanyaki, on Duke Street, to awaken our tastebuds with some Far Eastern flavours. When we arrived, at 9pm on a Friday, the restaurant was packed, heaving with customers keen to sample Sapporo’s signature style of food and entertainment for themselves. Admittedly, the shared seating style has always put me off visiting this Japanese eatery with just one mate in tow – as the seating around the teppanyaki grill and the accompanying entertainment as the chef does tricks and cooks in front of you – is ideal for a big group. Photo: Tracey O’Neill
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BEST OF LIVERPOOL
geisha could probably consume in a week (waist-cinching kimonos don’t look like they leave a whole lot of room for food do they?), we enjoyed another glass of the sauvignon blanc before dessert. For pud, my dining companion was exceptionally healthy and selected a fresh fruit salad. I, meanwhile, was not as calorie conscious and indulged with a sizeable slab of yuzu lime cheesecake. Now, cheesecake isn’t the kind of dessert typically found in Japan, but given how decadently delicious it was, I can forgive a lack of culinary authenticity. Having given the chopsticks a good workout and enjoyed a gossip over tasty teppanyaki food and a beautiful bottle of wine, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Sapporo and shall be giving our tastebuds a flavour of the Far East again soon. To make a reservation, visit Sapporo Liverpool, 134 Duke Street, East Village, Liverpool, L1 5AG, call 0151 705 3005 or log onto the website www.sapporo.co.uk
AWARD-WORTHY EATERY? VOTE NOW! Liverpool Food & Drink Festival in Sefton Park
Photo: Jason Roberts
However, a quick squiz around the lively restaurant proved I was wrong – Sapporo isn’t just for large groups as there were a good mix of diners, including not just groups, but families, couples and pairs of friends, like ourselves. Glancing at the drinks menu, the restaurant has a rather impressive selection of vino – including a South African chenin blanc, a fruity viognier and an organically-produced beaujolais – alongside authentic sake, Japanese whiskey and cocktails. Wine critic I am not, but I like a good sauvignon blanc and, on the waitress’ advice, we plumped for a New Zealand version of my favourite vino (£22.95). Crisp, fruity and medium dry, it was the perfect accompaniment to the upcoming Far Eastern feast. Sapporo’s food menu is extensive and contains a whole ocean of sushi
choices – from simple nigiri sushi (rice topped with fish, radish, wasabi and pickled ginger) to oshi-zushi, sashimi and uzukuri (wafer thin slices of fresh fish with a soy sauce and spring onion dressing). There’s even a selection of specialised sushi rolls, like the Liverpool roll, which features thin slices of smoked salmon with cream cheese and rice, rolled in flying fish roe. Alongside sushi, there are miso soups; tempura dishes; salads, such as a rather delectable sounding soft shell crab option; yakisoba noodles and teppanyaki grilled meats and fish. Indeed, the menu is so large that it can be a little overwhelming at first glance. So, for indecisive diners like my friend and I, there are a selection of set teppanyaki menus offering a good variety of dishes and prices. With neither of us particularly keen on the concept of raw fish, we avoided those which included sushi, instead favouring the ‘Geisha’ set menu (£33 each) – a four-course Japanese feast which began with miso wakame soup and a namasu salad – thin slices of carrot and white cabbage pickled in rice wine vinegar and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Admittedly, neither of us especially fancied the sound of a pickled veg salad. After all, we’d never eat a whole bowl of pickled onions or beetroot would we? Thankfully though, Japanese pickled veggies are far more appetising than those of the English persuasion and the namasu salad made for a refreshing accompaniment to the miso soup, which was served at the same time. Next up, came a chicken variation on classic spring rolls. A generous portion, the two spring rolls were amply filled with smoked chicken breast, bean sprouts and other vegetables, and came with a barbecue dipping sauce and a pretty, but not especially tasty, side of deep-fried rice noodles. Between courses, our chef certainly kept us entertained and, after trying (and failing) to catch sautéd potato slices in our mouths, we watched in awe as the chef performed a series of tricks – the highlight of which came when he set the teppanyaki grill alight. After oohing and ahhing at the entertainment, we were enjoying ourselves so much that we almost forgot we had another two courses to enjoy – which, as well as keeping us amused, the chef was cooking before our eyes. For our main, we devoured a hearty teppanyaki feast of teriyaki duck breast, egg fried rice, sautéd potatoes and grilled vegetables. Having eaten more than the average
IF the place where you get your grub deserves a gong, or the wine list in your local is worthy of an accolade, don’t miss your chance to vote for your favourite place to eat or drink in the Liverpool Food & Drink Awards. Now in their fifth year, the annual awards recognise excellence and innovation among the bars, restaurants, cafés and local producers who take part in the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival and, importantly, the awards are voted for by the public. The Liverpool Food & Drink Awards are part of the Liverpool Food & Drink Festival, which launches in Sefton Park on September 1-2 and culminates with the prestigious awards ceremony on September 10. Categories range from favourite independent restaurant to finest wine list and most family-friendly restaurant. So, if you think a city bar or eatery has all the ingredients to be named the best in its field, then log on and vote at www.liverpoolfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk