One of the most popular restaurants in Liverpool’s commercial district has reopened following a £500,000 refurbishment. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool business district favourite Restaurant Bar & Grill has reopened following a £500,000 refurbishment. 

Located in a Grade II-listed 200-year-old former bank building in Brunswick Street, off Castle Street, the venue temporarily closed its doors in September to allow restaurant designer, Bernard Carroll of Carroll Design to oversee the new look.

The building’s historical features have been revived as part of the revamp. When guests arrive they will immediately be met with a vast chandelier measuring over 6ft by 7ft.

The ornate ceiling, which sees all intricate features, including the building’s original liver bird motifs, cornice, and columns, restored and decorated in gold leaf. This was an intricate and intensive job undertaken by world-renowned gold leaf specialist David Thelwell and taking more than four weeks to complete.

It is the latest in a series of decorative refurbishments undertaken by David, from Prescot, having also restored the gold leaf at Liverpool Town Hall and St George’s Hall, in addition to a number of palaces in Saudi Arabia.

The work to the historical ceiling is just one of a number of changes to the 200-cover restaurant, with every guest touchpoint refreshed and revived, including new upholstery, statement light fittings and a stripped back and freshly polished floor, providing a warm and welcoming arrival.

Adorning every wall is a bespoke and ornate wallpaper featuring blossom trees set against a backdrop of gold. Soft furnishings in shades of lemon, pink, raspberry and baby blue soften the look in a mix of leather and velvet fabrics.

For guests looking to host a private function, the introduction of walnut and glazed ceiling to floor sliding doors create a second event space to the left of the restaurant, with seating for up to 30 at individual tables or 24 boardroom-style.

The new space joins the existing private dining room to the right of the venue and in which a further 24 guests can be seated in a boardroom setting. A dropdown screen makes it the ideal space for corporate events and private presentations.

Coinciding with the reopening is the launch of The Restaurant Bar & Grill’s new autumn/winter menu, with a focus on classic and seasonal dishes, steaks and cocktails to match. They include truffle and leek croquettes with truffle aioli; cider and onion soup served with cheese sourdough toast and tamarind glazed heritage beetroot, baby spinach.

New main dishes include risotto with porcini mushrooms and mascarpone, linguine with lobster, veal chop Milanese or simply grilled with lemon, garlic and parsley, vintage Cheddar cheese, leek and sweet potato tart, poached hens’ egg and truffle butter and butter chicken or vegetable curry.

General manager of Restaurant Bar & Grill, Kate Keyes, said: “I couldn’t be more pleased to reopen the doors. The transformation of the beautiful Grade II heritage building, one of the most iconic venues in Liverpool, is nothing short of incredible and I look forward to welcoming our loyal guests to experience it for themselves.  It has the most  photographic appeal and simply has to be seen.”