On arrival to Liverpool an obligatory picture was had with the fab four statues at Pier Head. After a heads up from a friend that had been to Liverpool before, I was chuffed to see the hidden items they held such as John Lennon’s acorns (Ooh Err) in his hand.
Mowgli Restaurant Liverpool, Water Street
After a slow meander we reach Albert Dock where we sat basking in the sun with a pineapple based cocktail, as all holidays should start with an exotic cocktail in my view. Walking, booze and sun all worked together to getting our tummies growling for some scran. Mowgli Liverpool, based on Water Street, had not only been recommended but when we previously walked past, it had all of our heads swivelling like owls at the beautiful fragrant curry smell seemingly being pumped out the doors of the restaurant.
On first look on the website it seemed as if they were fully booked but as the website suggested we tried our luck at a walk in. Thankfully the friendly young man stood at the door welcomed us in at half seven.
Like always, I was a moth to the flame. Transfixed on the centre piece of a bleached, stripped bare tree draped in warm fairy lights, I gawped up at the dangling ropes acting as curtains and the jungle moss hanging over the balcony above. On further inspection, I spot the ornate gilded wreaths on the subtle mint green walls, just below the extremely high ceiling. With all the décor, empty bird cages hung from the original features within the ceiling and the cheeky, golden primate emblazoned on the wall, suddenly I wasn’t in Liverpool anymore but deep in the jungle of India.
The Food Review
Distracted by the beautiful surroundings I took even longer to decide what to eat from the plentiful selection. To start we picked on the following dishes of Treacle Tamarind Fries, the Mowgli Chip Butty, Gunpowder Chicken, Angry Bird and Maa’s Lamb chops & turmeric chips.
Arriving on shiny silver tin plates, trays and tiffin boxes, the fries were sweet sticky and flavourful, the chip butty was fragrant and succulent with the chips being perfectly fluffy, The Angry Bird chicken was juicy with the Mowgli slaw being a refreshing addition and the lamb chops had great flavour but could have been slightly more pink for me.
Being a wimp when it comes to spices, I chose the Mother Butter Chicken (which is the real version of Chicken Tikka Masala according to Mowgli) with a side of basmati rice and a Puri. Mother Butter Chicken was packed with flavour and although not blow your head off, it was spicy for me. After scoffing all my curry, I make a start on the House Lamb Curry my Aunt had struggled to finish and was instantly hit with a wave of food envy. The lamb fell apart and the spice was there but subtle. The Puri made a perfect mopping up tool and I love that I have tried something new.
True to Mowgli’s Instagram and website, the restaurant is not for the intimate, hushed dining experience but is a vibrant and buzzing place. Music being played such as Vance Joy and Bombay Bicycle Club –‘Always Like This’, added to that atmosphere.
Nisha Katona, the founder, has successfully balanced the authenticity and homeliness of Indian food together with the ‘smash and grab’ street food, as well as uncovering the true flavours and delicacies of traditional Indian food.
Check out our Liverpool Guide for other restaurant reviews
A chick-lit loving, minimalist & foodie who’s a sucker for anything new or novelty with the mission of eating my way around the UK and eventually the world!! Interiors get me excited in a way that I’m sure others find slightly strange. Crushed velvet’s, gold finishes and pretty patterns oh my! My love has recently been supported by an Interior Design course, which has given me even more of a love and writing ammunition.
