Poulton, Italian Restaurant Guide

Puglia-born chef Maurizio Pellegrini and his Scottish-Italian partner Rosaria Crolla launched this local fixture in 2009 and, all these years later, it’s “still very popular because of the quality of the seafood” (“excellent” oysters and seafood platters, “plus more basic dishes such as seafood risotto and pasta”). There are now two siblings: the Italian Club, and the Italian Club Bakery, both within an easy walk of this venue.

2021 Review: “Italian small plates (this time)” “from the Salt House tapas stable” – win solid ratings for this “friendly, buzzy restaurant” from the Red & Blue team. It’s “great for a larger party”, with “seats at the bar good for dates”; “it’s crowded so you do get to hear your neighbours’ conversations – although in Liverpool that can be theatre”.

2022 Review: “Always busy and buzzing with conversation”, this “reliable upmarket resto in the business district of the city centre” – a link in the glitzy national Italian chain – wins solid marks for its “atmosphere, good-quality produce and cooking”.

2022 Review: A fixture of dining on the Wirral through four decades – “it’s been there for years” – the Galantini family’s Italian-inspired venue is as reliable as ever and “Enrico’s interesting food is always worth a try”. Long the head chef, he has now taken over management from his parents, Lino & Barbara, but regulars will be pleased to know that “the particularly good specialities such as Avocado Barbara” (avocado peeled, stuffed with prawns, covered with cream cheese and deep-fried in breadcrumbs) are still on the menu.