Spotlight on : El Gato Negro
Daniel Khan visited the beautiful stone-clad Walker House, part of the landmark Exchange Flags building in Liverpool for an evening of tapas from Simon Shaw and the team
As a born and bred Liverpudlian who left the city over a decade ago, I still find myself in awe of the astounding development it has undertaken each time I return. No industry demonstrates this with greater success than its food and drink sector, which somehow manages to perfectly compliment the undeniable charm of the city and its people.
Since Liverpool was officially hailed the capital of culture in 2008 (not that it's rich tapestry of culture was ever in doubt) there have been a vast number of popular chain restaurants that have popped up around the centre of the city however it is in fact the blossoming of the smaller independents in Liverpool that have become the foodie's treasure trove to explore.
One such treasure is nestled away in cobbles of exchange flags, an area well renowned for its blend of history and style. In a Grade 2 listed building that overlooks the town hall resides El Gato Negro Tapas (translating to 'The Black Cat') and is immediately visually appealing when entering. The interior of the vast yet intimate space offers the perfect mix of cosmopolitan inner-city style with a beguiling sense of nature as your eyes adventure through hanging vines and twisting willow trees. This is the second restaurant of its name by the acclaimed Chef Patron/Creative Director Simon Shaw, with two other El Gato Negro restaurants on Park Row, Leeds and King Street in Manchester. With such acclaim for it's origin restaurant, The 'Black Cat' of Liverpool had large paw prints to fill, particularly as the hunt for genuinely brilliant tapas in a social dining setting is never easy; we were not left disappointed.
Though during the time of our visit the nation was still within the grips of the global pandemic, the front of house team were quick to put us at ease with a few simple healthy and safety recommendations.
As is the format for most tapas restaurants, the dishes are served as they are ready. First up was the ‘Charcuterie Board’ with a beautiful selection of cured meats and aged Spanish cheeses with small accompaniments such as orange blossom honey and olive torta; it is truly in the details of these dishes that they come alive. Next was the ‘Traditional Tortilla’ which was cooked beautifully to reveal a soft, slightly runny centre and the ‘Jamon Iberico Croquetas’. Each dish was followed one after the other to tell their own individual stories of the land and sea but collectively the one story they all shared was El Gato Negro truly is the best tapas in the north. Ultimately, as with all my experiences of tapas, we over-ordered excitedly and were left questioning if we would we meet the challenge we had so eagerly placed before ourselves however from our first bite of manchego to the fighting over the last crispy fried baby squid, the taste was unparalleled; our challenge had been met with empty plates, full bellies and a rare feeling of culinary satisfaction.
Best for... A mix of modern and traditional Spanish flavours
El Gato Negro, Unit 2, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool, L2 3YL
t: 0151 2361331
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