El Gato Negro has unveiled a new enhanced look and menu for Spring

Acclaimed Spanish tapas restaurant El Gato Negro has unveiled a stunning new interior as it celebrates six months in Liverpool and launches a new seasonal menu.

Bringing the outdoors in, the popular restaurant and bar which opened in August 2019, has introduced a beautiful indoor garden that promises to take guests’ breath away.

Running throughout the centre of the restaurant, the installation sees a large tree take centre stage, with flowering branches working up to the ceiling and across trellises, from which plants are interwoven and fall.   

Large frosted pendant lights interspersed throughout the foliage create further points of interest, decorated by low hanging bulbs that leave you dreaming of the most impressive garden parties.   

Plush new booths in a deep electric blue add to the enhancements and provide a further touch of warmth and opulence.  Ornate chandeliers and further trailing plants see the magic run through to the private dining room and beyond; injecting a greater sense of intimacy to the grand heritage building.

The new-look interior comes as the restaurant launches its spring menu, with 10 fresh dishes promising to whet appetites.

Developed by multi-award-winning Chef Patron and Creative Director Simon Shaw, the menu harnesses the finest seasonal ingredients including a mix of fish, meat and vegetable dishes.

Leading the list of new additions are three new fish plates including: roasted cod fillet wrapped in jamón serrano with Spanish lentils (£9.50); mussels with saffron, chilli and tomato, and served with chargrilled sourdough bread (£8.00), and gambas al ajillo, prawns with caramelised onions and red peppers in a garlic sauce (£11.50).

Meat enthusiasts will love the chargrilled fillet of beef with mojo rojo sauce, wild mushrooms and straw potatoes (£16.00), with the restaurant’s buffalo chicken wings with sticky sherry glaze (£6.00) guaranteed to leave you wanting to lick your fingers.

Providing the perfect accompaniment to all dishes are a range of vegetable small plates including: Catalan-style spinach with chickpeas and caramelised onions (vg) (£5.50); heritage tomato salad with Kalamata olive and oregano dressing (vg) (£6.00), and pine nut and spinach croquetas (v) (£5.50).   

The restaurant’s fried chickpeas with spiced salt (£2.50) are the perfect savoury nibble to accompany a glass of wine or for a sweeter treat, indulge in the vegan chocolate brownie served with butterscotch sauce, chocolate crumble and peanut ice cream (vg) (£6.50).

Commenting on the enhanced interior, Operations Manager Helen Tucker said: “As we raise a glass to our six-month anniversary here in Liverpool, we’re really pleased to unveil our beautiful new indoor garden.

“It’s something we’ve always had in our plans, but with only a 12-week window from the point of which we acquired Exchange Flags to the day we opened, we knew it would have to come at a later date.  We couldn’t be more pleased with the result and hope guests will love it as much as we do.”

Open six days a week, with dining from 12pm to 10.30pm and general service until late, El Gato Negro boasts 240 covers across the one impressive open floor.  Key features include an impressive island bar with seating for 70, a chef’s table, outdoor terrace with views across the historic square and a private dining room for 16.

The venue is available for full or private hire, catering for a range of celebratory events and corporate functions.  A group menu for parties of seven or more (£30pp) provides the perfect hassle-free dining option.

Guests looking to raise a glass to a special occasion (did someone say Valentine’s Day?) can indulge in El Gato Negro’s Tipsy Tapas, which sees three small plates and bottomless Cava, Bellini, house wine or beer for 90 minutes from the point of order for just £30pp.

Reservations for El Gato Negro, Exchange Flags, Liverpool, can be made online at https://www.elgatonegrotapas.com/liverpool/ or by phone on 0151 236 1331.

The restaurant and bar can be found at Unit 2, Walker House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool, L2 3YL .

Find out more on their website here.