Albert's Shed

Mr and Mrs Ramsbottom took their son Albert to Blackpool Zoo in the oft-repeated poem, where he suffered the misfortune of being consumed by a lion that had missed out on the breakfast roll call. Sorry, no relation - this Albert is said to have been a workman who stashed his tools in an ancient shed on site prior to the restoration of the area. It is doubtful if he would make any connection between then and the now very swish building bearing his name. Inside this sleek and attractively functional restaurant there is an open plan kitchen, good use of modern materials and a feeling that the decor is designed to compliment rather than demand.

And it has to be said that the menu follows much the same course. There is a pronounced Italian influence, with some oriental tweaks here and there typified in the starter section where antipasta and a good choice of pizzas jostle with Welsh rarebit on walnut bread.

Mains number around ten and include cod wrapped in Parma ham with mussel and saffron sauce and a good range of steaks, with the accompaniments included in the price - how I hate having to pay extra for what places such as Albert's Shed rightly cost in to the whole dish.

If there is any weakness it is located in the desserts, but its early days. A well-chosen wine list completes the picture.