Sat on the corner of Penny Lane for over a year now, Bean There has won the hearts of many local and tourists alike with it’s speciality coffee, trendy but child friendly atmosphere and, of course, excellent food. In the past few weeks, it has been working hard to create a brand new menu, combining classic favourites with innovative recipes to produce something that their customers love – and we were invited to test it out.
With such a large variety of clientele, from OAP’s that enjoy a cup of their loose leaf tea to students that visit purely for the milkshakes, burgers and live music and parents that bring their children to the many child-friendly events that happen weekly in the shop, Bean There have created a menu that can be enjoyed by everyone, whether you’re sitting in for a weekend leisurely lunch or want to grab a quick (but freshly made) sandwich to take back to the office. As well as the many new dishes on their menu, they have also introduced a beautifully presented afternoon tea combining traditional cake and sandwich offerings with a quirky and contemporary twist, reflecting Bean There perfectly.
As well a food overhaul, Bean There have no expanded their opening hours into the evening during the weekends so customers can swap their coffee for two for one cocktails or better still, combine the two, with their brand new cocktail special, the deliciously warming Coffee Negroni bound to set your weekend off in the right way.
The menu tasting at Bean There was just as it should be, relaxed, friendly, informative and full to the brim of good food and cocktails. First up was the fantastic high tea, presented on a slate bench-style stand and stacked with delicious cakes, Scandi style loaded with homemade savouries as well as petit fours, including sandwiches, mini burgers and jam and clotted cream filled scones, freshly baked in the Bean There kitchen. A wooden plank on the side showcased their now famous homemade sausage rolls – pork and apple for the meat eaters as well as vegetarian options including a mushroom, walnut and red onion creation. Dip the super soft pastries into the side dishes of sweet but spicy chilli jam and it MAY just be the best sausage roll you’ve ever tasted. Bean There’s creative, delicious afternoon tea can be served with loose leaf tea, coffee or Proescco and can be enjoyed at any time – just be sure to pre-book!
Bean There are focusing not only on catering to those that want to enjoy a meal in, but also those that want to grab n go, with their new box-packed salads proving popular already. Bean There have a range of salads in different flavours from around the world, including the sweet, fragrant Asian variation with crunchy broccoli, green beans and beetroot Hummous as well as Butternut Squash and Sundried tomato – perfect if you’re after a nutritious and light lunch that has been freshly made on the day! If you don;t fancy a salad, why not give their brand new chicken po’ boy a go – a hot sub packed full of chicken and cheese and lashings of super spicy mayo – the best kind of lunch.
Whilst they are somewhere to grab a quick light lunch of salad, homemade soup and delicious toasted sandwiches, the guys at Bean There have also put an indulgent twist on their menu, wowing us with their amazing burger stacks served in three different flavours; beef, chicken and Halloumi; with every single one being as delicious as the other, stuffed to the brim with filling and flavour. The beef burger was cooked so perfectly it rivalled even some of Liverpool’s best known burger chains. You can order the burgers on their own or have them served alongside crispy vegetable fries and a pot of pesto mayo. Perfect. No burger is complete without a milkshake and Bean There have gone one better with their cake shake spectaculars; pick any cake from the display and have it blended up into an indulgent shake, topped with a mound of whipped cream. Yes please.
Already a firm favourite in the Smithdown area, Bean There are set to take Liverpool’s foodie scene by storm with their brand new menu full of variety, flavour and most importantly, great quality homemade food. Pop in and try it for yourself.