Review: Let dim sum 'touch your heart' at The Slow Boat, Victoria Street, Liverpool

Liverpool boasts the oldest Chinese community in Europe, with the first settlers recorded as arriving in 1834. This heritage means that Liverpool's chinese restaurants have long commanded a reputation as some of the best in the UK.

Today, with the city's booming tourist trade and nightlife, diners are more spoiled for choice than ever before, with authenic oriental food on offer not only in China Town, but in restaurants all over the city.

So, it comes as something of a surprise to learn that one of the latest additions to the city's list of eateries is its first "Dim Sum Bar".

"The Slow Boat" in Victoria Street is certainly a novel additon to the city's rainbow of culinary delights. The venue, formerly operated as Italian Casa Bella, is located on the corner of Stanley Street.

Throughout lunchtime and early evening, "The Slow Boat" serves delicious dim sum to patrons up until 9pm when the kitchen closes and the venue transforms into nightclub "Reform".

Amiable owner Gary Omar embarked on the venture after years in the painting and decorating trade. After an appearance on Masterchef, whittled down from 10,000 to the final 50, he was inspired to follow his dream of opening his own restaurant.

Gary said: "After many visits to Hong Kong seeing dim sum in action, and how it’s traditionally made and presented I realised my desire was to combine my love of Chinese cuisine with my experience and open The Slow Boat dim sum bar in Liverpool.

"When I came back to England, I approached the local popular Chinese restaurant Mei Mei, who supplied me with the best Dim Sum and a top world chef.

"I've always had a passion for Chinese food and regularly enjoy cooking and dining out at Chinese restaurants at least 2-3 times a week.

"Now I'm ecstatic to own a restaurant with amazing food and a great atmosphere.

"Everything in The Slow Boat is freshly prepared on site - from the spare ribs to the spring rolls.

"The name Slow Boat came out of love and respect for my mother who passed away 18 months ago and her favourite song was 'Slow Boat To China'."

Gary's passion for his bold venture is infectious, we visited The Slow Boat as a party of six to celebrate a family birthday and instantly warmed to Gary's personable nature and hands on approach to service.

Comfortably seated in one of the private white leather booths, complete with our very own flat screen TV, we settled in for the 'authentic' dim sum experience. Gary told us his aim was to reflect the style of many eateries in Hong Kong, which explained the inclusion of the televisions. Gary hopes to encourage customers to attend all day long, even on football match days, or to choose their own music to suit all tastes. No doubt the screens equally entertain revellers visiting late evening when a DJ takes over the space and a disco breaks out.

Unable to choose between the individual dishes, we begged Gary's recommendation and went for a platter consisting of ten individual servings of freshly prepared dumplings, wonton soup, spring rolls, crispy belly pork, ribs in OK sauce, salt and pepper ribs, wor tips (shallow fried dumplings), succulent fried prawns in rice paper and the best char siu buns I've tasted. Served with a pot of Traditional Chinese Tea, we added several bottles of Rose wine - White Zinfandel, Eagle Creek, California (£16 a bottle) to our order as we eagerly swallowed the lot in quick succession. For don't let The Slow Boat's name deceive you, the service is fast! That is not to say it is unfriendly, we were waited on hand and foot by Gary throughout the evening, with no request deemed too much trouble. However, if your group plans to enjoy sharing a meal over lingering conversation then the authentic dim sum experience should be started early.

At £10 a head it is incredible value for money for such generously presented portions. Ideal for a speedy business lunch or for friends wanting to enjoy an early evening meal before a night on the tiles or visiting the theatre.

For me, the beauty of dim sum is that you do not feel over-faced by your meal. Each helping tasted more delicious than the last, with ample-sized morsels leaving you feeling more than satisfied. Dim Sum literally means 'to touch your heart' and the lovingly prepared food, combined with Gary's enthusiastic welcome to all his patrons, certainly did.

7/10

For information on group bookings please call 01512360191 or follow http://twitter.com/the_slowboat

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