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A large part of the cooking focuses on tandoor oven where bread, fish, meat and game are cooked the North West Indian way, so you could laugh off calorie counting; but dishes promising regional cuisine in the specials menu should not be missed either. Grilling and griddling is treated with much respect, as are chef's gourmet dishes like bater do piyaza, tender quails marinated in yogurt, pot-roasted in a masala with an abundance of onions and crushed dry mango. Lamb dishes rely on the comforting rogan josh formula while chicken goes the jalfrezi way.

Going by the number of Indian families at Mayur Indian Restaurant, this production certainly deserved plaudits for innovation and authenticity.

One of the few Japanese restaurants in the city. However, it is not resting on its laurels and appears to be one of those all too rare places that take what they are doing seriously. Perhaps this is coincidence, though I doubt it. Certainly the menu is a refreshing departure from the sushi bar as the name implies, and is particularly appealing to busy people seeking something different at lunch time.

Occupying one of the most sensational sites on the waterside, Chung Ku is a specially designed brand new building with two restaurant areas on the ground and upper floors. The first floor is reserved for private parties and banquets. Over 400 guests can be accommodated in the whole place. Every part of the interior is ultra modern and the cuisine matches the décor - but is much more tasty. The challenge to the restaurant has in fact been just that and it has certainly been met. Some aspects though are quite traditional, like the large range of dim sum at lunchtime. Banquets start at £19 and the king of them all is the seafood banquet at £35.

In Wood Street, Liverpool is a two year old bar and restaurant that seems to have struck a chord with a wide and discerning clientele. Chaya offers exotic Mediterranean cuisine in an ambience that's sophisticated and chic, yet friendly and non-intrusive. The bar comes with an array of the finest drinks and champagnes and the bar team is always delighted to concoct your favourite cocktail on request. The service is great and the quality of food and drinks, quite a rarity.

Begin with the butternut scallops and paprika squid. For mains, the wild mushroom risotto, parma ham and rocket pizza, Spanish chicken and peppercorn sirloin steak, all compete for the spotlight. There are no fancy dessert names on the menu, but the usual ones taste unusually delicious. You'd be safe with the crème brulée, vanilla cheesecake or tiramisu. Chaya knows how to give its guests a memorable experience and is good for any and every occasion.