Manifest
Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
Casual fine dining seems like an oxymoron yet Manifest in Liverpool is a great example of this new trend. The wine bar and elegant restaurant is situated on a very unexpected street in the Baltic Triangle. You almost have to see it to believe that a fine dining eatery can exists there, down this tiny narrow street that doesn’t lead anywhere in particular – but it makes the experience all the more exciting.
Manifest is small – there are six spacious tables and a dine at counter meaning nobody’s bumping elbows. There’s ambient lighting and the overall look is pared back and fairly minimalist with exposed brick walls and a yellow wine wall which is the one splash of colour. At the centre of the space is the busy kitchen with chefs artfully arranging unusual ingredients on pretty plates.
Like all the best restaurants, seasonality and sustainability are key to their high quality food. The dishes are imaginative and elegant, while the wines are sourced from independent small scale producers. Manifest aims to infuse its menu with the culture and creativity of Liverpool – the name itself is a nod to its maritime history. It’s worth mentioning too that you’ll find it in the Michelin Guide, which is high praise indeed and not too common for Liverpool restaurants so this one is special.
