Dave Marsland, reviewer for the North, visits one of Liverpool's big launches this summer.
Chris Edwards is fast becoming a tour de force in the north west, bringing Belzan, Madre and Medlock Canteen to Liverpool and Manchester in recent years.
His latest venture, Sister Ray, is a concept that brings together European café culture and the chic of New York’s bar scene. Although a large bar, the suntrap at the front is the place to be. But equally, I’m at home at the bar, taking recommendations from the friendly staff.
With a menu of twisted classics and in-house creations, the Coastal Martini is fast becoming the talk of the square. Stirring down Boatyard vodka with oyster leaf, sea aster, Cocchi dry vermouth, nori and maldon, complete with a caperberry, it’s a strong yet complex kick that draws you in as it slowly heads back down to room temperature.
Fantastic too to see a forgotten classic in Red Hook, with Michter’s, Rittenhouse, Punt e Mes and maraschino – a tempting one for the road.
Score: 8/10
» Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool L1 4JJ