This establishment has been at this location in Churchtown as long as I can remember. My grandmother used to love to come here and have a plate of cream cakes after lunch. Yes, she had a sweet tooth. Now, it is where I meet up with my oldest friend whenever I am in town. I like to have a wander through the boutiques on Botanic Road – many are closed on Mondays – and go for a walk through the Botanic Gardens which are just to the right and across the street.
If you have mobility issues you will have difficulty getting upstairs to the restaurant, however there is an outside patio or you can collect take-out downstairs. I often have the fishcakes for lunch and a couple of lattes before the friendly staff start to clear up around us as they want to close for the afternoon before the dinner rush. On my last visit, however, I had a tuna melt for a change.
I understand it is currently up for sale – lock, stock and barrel, so to speak – so I hope the new owners are able to continue the good work that Claude’s family have done all these years. Claude’s son, Marc, owns Bistro Verité in Birkdale Village, Southport – also well worth a visit.
