If you want to make an impression whilst in Liverpool this is the place to be. Right in the heart of the University quarter, designed to be chic without overpowering, with plenty of bare wood and simple light coloured walls, 60 Hope Street has it all.

Then to cap it all there's the food which is absolutely right on target with an incredibly imaginative menu. Examples are seared fillet of Szechuan tuna with herb polenta and chilli jam or cannon of lamb with crispy spinach risotto cake and red wine jus, with desserts like chocolate, pistachio, almond and pear Italian torte or classic sticky toffee pudding and fudge ice cream.

Eat upstairs for class and to impress your new student friend, but if Aintree has not been kind to you and the horses all had three legs, quietly find your way down to the cheaper bistro, where there is a more straightforward cafe bar menu.

House wine is £13.50 from a very user friendly carte, sensibly priced with a good selection from the New World.