Eat*Drink*Shop*Cook*Stay

Olive - May 2008

Liverpool

The European City of Culture is this year’s hottest UK destination – with a thriving restaurant scene, specialist food shops and award-winning Wirral farmers’ markets all creating a stir

DRINK
Designed and built by Walter W Thomas for Cains brewery at the turn of the 19th century, The Phil (Philharmonic Dining Rooms) is an extraordinary grandiose pub with wood panelling, stained glass and mosaic tiles. 36 hope Street (0151 707 2837)
Aesthetically, Baltic Fleet can’t compete, but its own Wapping Beers keep real ale enthusiasts happy. 33a Wapping (0151 709 3116; wappingbeers.co.uk)
Of course, a city as glam as Liverpool is no slouch in the cocktail stakes – try Room, 62 Castle Street, (0151 258 1122; roomrestaurants.com), or, housed in a converted church, Alma de Cuba is a favourite with Liverpool’s party crowd. St. Peter’s Church, Seel St (0151 702 7394). For something quieter, head to Negresco, just out of town. A pub given a bizarre gothic-Itlainate makeover, it’s cool and friendly. 32-34 Lark Lane, (0151 709 709).