Hoylake chef Julian Davies hits back at restaurant closure rumours and announces details of Titanic theme night

Feb 29 2012 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

JULIAN’S restaurant in Hoylake will mark the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic by recreating a menu served to its passengers.

The lavish dishes were prepared for those dining in First Class the night the ship struck an iceberg on April 14, 1912.

Chef Julian Davies said he wanted to offer diners the chance to sample the type of food eaten by some of the passengers on board.

The night will be a tribute to the 1,517 people who lost their lives on White Star Line’s “unsinkable” flagship.

Julian said: “Apparently the band on the Titanic played on and the chef continued to cook.

“It was a long menu so what I’ve done is pick a starter, main course and a dessert.

“I’ve chosen the hors d’oeuvres various to begin with, which include fish like salmon, prawns, melon and egg mayonnaise.

“For the main course I’ve gone for Chicken Lyonnaise, which is chicken with tomato, peppers and cracked black pepper.

The chef also also hit back at local gossip reporting his restaurant has closed, saying: “Contrary to the chatter and gossip we are not closed – we are very much here, open and full of brand new menus.”

Julian’s dessert will be an unusual Waldorf Pudding made of raisins, apples and walnuts in a lemon syllabub.

The price is £19.12, commemorating the year Titanic sank.

The special menu will be served on April 15 – the date the ship hit its watery grave in the North Atlantic Ocean. One diner picked on the night will receive their meal for free.

Julian, who owns the Birkenhead Road restaurant with wife Jackie, is planning more theme nights over the next few months if the Titanic event is a hit.

He is also about to get on his bike to help fight cancer, with a summer solo motorbike ride to the Arctic Circle. Money raised through the challenge will go to Clatterbridge Hospital, where Jackie was treated for breast cancer.

He said: “I’m heading off on May 8 and the training is going well – I had a big walk out just this morning.

“I’ve been camping in Wales as well, out in Snowdonia. I want to be ready for anything.”

Julian’s is at 20 Birkenhead Road, Hoylake. Call 632 6241. Follow Julian’s journey and sponsor him at http://solobiketour4cancer.com or find his Solo Bike Tour 4 Cancer on Facebook