Largely on the recommendation of the previous reviewer, we took a chance on The Red Door. Everything they said was pretty accurate. The food, particularly the sea bass, is very good indeed but the really special things were the drinks; sipping tequila seems to be a speciality and the cocktails are very special. The sticky toffee pud - my partner rates restaurants on sticky toffee puds - was outstanding. Our waitress was a delight and the owner (I assume) was extremely friendly and obliging. West Kirby and Hoylake are actually rather blessed with some great places to eat and drink (our usual favourites are Aiden Byrne's Collingwood and Meat And Mingle in Hoylake) and this is a truly great addition to places to go.

After what seemed days of driving, a completely sleepless night, the wrong result in the Japanese Grand Prix and a busy day, the booking we had made at the Red Door in West Kirby wasn’t the most appealing prospect for the evening. Fortunately as it turned out, it was the right decision to heave ourselves out of the door and make our first visit to this fairly new bar restaurant. For the first few seconds after entering, my doubts were returning. It was a lively bar on a Sunday evening and I really did want a bit of relaxation. We had a friendly reception from a member of staff who took one look at us and said that we could have our reserved table at the front, but if we would prefer there was a separated area at the rear of the bar if we liked. A quick inspection of what was on offer and we took it. Just right as far as I was concerned. We were in a corner at a good sized table. Close to the kitchen door, but far enough away as to not be disturbing and behind a partly glazed screen where there would be live entertainment later in the evening. Accompanying a very nice bottle of Prosecco we started with crispy baby calamari with lemon mayonnaise for Pam and some salt and pepper chicken wings for me. Both were cooked well, presented nicely and full of flavour. The basket of bread that we ordered was beautifully soft and fresh. Having unwisely brought the car we had to limit the wine so we shared a large bottle of sparkling water and that served as a good palate freshener between courses. My main was a rare 10oz Rib-Eye steak fried in garlic butter with the usual fries. Pam chose a blackened seabass fillet served with coriander rice and some tomato. The meal was very good, but a very interesting presentation point, and a very good one in my view, is that the dish is served with a choice of one or two fillets depending on the size of your appetite. Pam had the single fillet and to make sure there was enough to eat as well as a little extra variety we had a small Greek salad to go with it. My steak was cooked precisely as I wanted it and the flavour was spot on from the garlic butter. I don’t normally eat chips, but tasted a few and they were good. The seabass was a very good fillet which combined well with the coriander rice. The meals were plenty generous enough, but we both tucked in to the Greek salad as well. Neither of us normally eat desserts and we were pretty well stuffed by now, but having found the menu so interesting we decided to share a single dish of hot peaches with Grand Marnier and vanilla ice cream. I am much more a savoury person than a sweet one (that is obvious to most people who know me), but I have to say that it was delicious. The solo singer got under way towards the end of our meal. He added a bit more atmosphere to an already lively and engaging bar that was succeeding in attracting a wide range of types and ages of client. We finished up with two double espressos, which were very good, and we left with a warm glow, certain of returning. The bill was £46, not including wine, and that is excellent value. Friendly and cheerful service all evening. I eat in restaurants a great deal and write reviews fairly often. I cannot remember when I have not had anything critical to say so this place is really worth a visit. There was nothing wildly different about our meal choices, but their menu is thought out very well. It offers a big range from the very light and cheap through to a full blown meal. What is also attractive is the very wide range of combinations that are possible as well as the options of small or large helpings for several dishes. Plenty of vegetarian options as well as pleasing us carnivores.