The Patio - Liverpool

The Patio is true to its name, this fresh-looking restaurant close to Liverpool's Penny Lane aims to bring 'the tranquillity and romance of patio dining indoors'. The interior is all modern, clean lines, with lots of 'faux' topiary, plants and picture on cream walls; slatted chairs and old-fashioned lamps add to the atmosphere.

Seafood is a speciality: there are complete sections of the menu devoted to prawns and oysters, alongside dishes such as seared scallops on Savoy cabbage with garlic and chive oil, roast halibut on black pasta with saffron, coriander and tomato jus, and mussels done four ways. The 'pièces de resistance', however, are the grandly named 'orchestras of shellfish': they come 'chilled' or 'hot', but need to be ordered 24 hours in advance due to the 'complexity' involved.

Elsewhere, the kitchen takes a racy, eclectic view of things, witness chorizo, chicken and soft cheese parfait with filo wafers, and marinated lamb shank on butternut squash and sweet potato 'crush'. Among the list of desserts, look for the trio of cheesecakes (including a Smarties and chocolate version) as well as strawberry jam and apple tartlets. The wine list covers a lot of territory and reliable names abound.