The Real Greek, Liverpool One, reviewed

Located on Paradise Street opposite Urban Outfitters, The Real Greek is one of the newest food offerings to Liverpool’s popular One shopping precinct.

Due to its excellent central location, the restaurant was busy even on Monday afternoon with people who had worked up an appetite after spending the morning in the shops.

Probably just a bad bite, right? I gave the wrap the benefit of the doubt and went in for seconds.

Upon entering The Real Greek, you are greeted with a warm welcome and a light and airy, stylish interior that reflects traditional Greek hospitality. Located on two floors, the restaurant is well equipped and has plenty of room to move between the tables.

Dave and I took our seats and ordered a drink; a humble Coke Zero for me and a glass of The Real Greek’s own pale ale – Alpha Omega – for him, which he described as crisp and refreshing. Just what was needed after fooling around in the city.

To begin with, we ordered a trio of dishes. Greek flatbread (served as is without dip, but plenty), Greek olives (meaty and rich, though quite salty) and real Greek halloumi popcorn with lemon and thyme spiced honey – probably the most enjoyable of the three dishes. The halloumi “popcorns” were cut into bite-sized pieces and drizzled with a small amount of honey to remove the saltiness of the cheese. I liked this and hoped it was an indication of what was to come.

For the main course I chose the Chicken Souvlaki Wrap; with chips, fresh tomatoes, red onion, sweet paprika and seasoned chicken with healthy tzatziki. Although it looked like it, the chicken was unfortunately dry and the light dusting of sweet paprika was more like an avalanche of the stuff that left me gagging for cocaine.

Probably just a bad bite, right? I gave the wrap the benefit of the doubt and went in for seconds. This time I faced the opposite problem – a piece of tzatziki and not much else. I really wanted to enjoy this because it sounded exactly like my type on paper, but the execution just wasn’t right.

Dave chose the moussaka, described on the menu as “a classic Greek dish – hearty and rich”. However, the poor thing was nuked within a centimeter of its life, the bottom of the baking dish jelling onto the bottom of the plate, forming a hardened paste that really made me feel for the KP who was about to remove it. shortly after.

He fed a few more bites, giving the dish a chance to redeem itself, but unfortunately it fell flat, along with the flavors, which didn’t seem to be there much.

By the time dessert arrived, we were quite hungry. But luckily, sweet finals were just the ticket.

Dave chose the “Portokalopita”; a traditional orange cake made from filo dough baked with Greek yogurt and dipped in orange syrup, served warm with a side of vanilla ice cream. Everything seemed fine except for the filo pastry base which seemed to have been swapped for a sponge cake. Regardless of how it was presented on the menu compared to real life, it was tasty and sweet – similar to a lemon drizzle cake, but with more flavor. He polished it off and I helped him as the sweet, fruity scent had whetted my appetite.

Despite switching my order from a Greek filo custard pie (I was told it takes 15 minutes to make) to a chocolate mousse cake at the last minute, I thoroughly enjoyed this lighter, smoother traditional chocolate pudding. Made with rich, dark chocolate, this dish wasn’t too sweet or sickly and added just enough chocolate to keep me happy.

The team at The Real Greek Liverpool are so attentive, hardworking and willing to recommend dishes if you need them. the place itself is beautiful and pleasant; the menu is affordable – so affordable, in fact, that three courses and a drink each cost just over £60. But at the end of the day, the food could be so much better.

Perhaps these are just early stage restaurant issues, but for a brand with 25 other sites across the UK, you’d expect this to happen pretty quickly. If the menu was given the same tender love and care that the wait staff give to the customers, I have no doubt that The Real Greek Liverpool could become the lunch and dinner staple of the city.

The Real Greek, 43 Paradise St, Liverpool L1 3EU