‘It's like Spartans coming home': Liam and Ellis Barrie to open Liverpool restaurant

Liam and Ellis Barrie have announced plans to open their second restaurant in their home city of Liverpool in 2019, describing it as a chance to "come back and show what we can do".

Acorn award winners chef Ellis and front of house manager Liam have secured a site in the city's Albert Dock. They launched their first restaurant, the Marram Grass, in a shed on their parent's Anglesey caravan park in 2011.

Ellis told The Caterer: "It's a really nice place to come back to; it just seems right. It's right on the water, it's got that heritage, building and working on the docks and that Welsh link too. It just feels like home.

"It's massive for us. It's that sort of Spartan thing, where they send the kids off to learn the trade and to learn how to fight and they come back men. We feel a bit like that. We've got to come back and show what we can do."

Ellis, who said he likes to "throw myself in the deep end and learn to swim", explained that the restaurant's offering would take what he has learned in Wales as well as the produce used at Marram Grass and evolve as he works with suppliers close to Liverpool and learns about the new market.

The restaurant, the name of which has yet to be revealed, is expected to have about 40 covers with a further 20-30 in a private dining room.

Ellis added: "Liverpool’s the best city in the UK, the most friendliest of people, the hospitality is great and the night life is great. You can’t knock it, I love it, that’s why it’s my first choice. I can’t wait."

Ellis is appearing on BBC Two's Great British Menu this week.

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The Marram Grass: Liam and Ellis Barrie on their innovative Anglesey restaurant>>

Acorn winners 2017: Liam Barrie>>

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