A new Merseyside restaurant has already taken 800 bookings before it's even opened its doors.
Flank. Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar is set to open this week in New Brighton, Wirral and its owners have been overwhelmed with the response.
Carl Thomas, one of the partners at the new restaurant told the ECHO: "We did have some post pandemic delays, but we have our soft launch on Thursday and launch Friday so bookings have already opened and the response has been amazing.
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"We have already taken between 7-800 bookings, so we will be full all over the Christmas period - we couldn't be happier.
"I think it is a combination of people who have been waiting for us to open and the location."
Speaking about the restaurant that used to be Bella Italia at Marine Point, Carl said: "Me and my business partner have been involved with events for years.
"And opening a venue like this is something we have always thought about.
"We are both well travelled and have eaten in amazing places all over the world."
Carl, 40, lived in London for a number of years and when he moved back to Wirral he saw that there had been big changes and saw an opportunity.
He said: "New Brighton has really developed, it is really up and coming now, especially with Victoria Road and all the murals and art projects.
"We had been waiting for the right time and opportunity and after opening Marine Street Social, the next move seemed perfect."
Carl and his business partner worked together initially starting with an idea about cocktails and then found a chef who they gave creative freedom to.
Carl said: "We are promoters really, so we wanted it to be authentic and from Jackie Chau. We gave him a brief and creative freedom."
Chef Chau was raised in Hong Kong and Vancouver and said on his own Facebook page: "I am thrilled to be joining the team at Flank. Steakhouse.
"It’ll be a real treat for me to showcase the experience I have gathered from years of travelling abroad.
"I’m excited to have a chance to work with local butchers and growers, where we can highlight and support the wonderful products they produce."
The menu includes classic steaks (as well as a massive sharing tomahawk), all served with chips, seasonal greens and garlic butter, and a variety of mains including seabass, chicken teriyaki and burgers.
But they also have a cocktail bar, which is open to all and you do not need to book.
Carl said: "We wanted to bring a city feel to the suburbs and feel we have done that, especially with our cocktail bar.
"There have been some people questioning our prices on social media, but we think we have got it right. We are still a lot cheaper than the city."
Their menu announcements have attracted hundreds of comments from people wishing them luck and people who can't wait to try it out.
You can check out Flank. Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar here.
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