IF YOU TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE DISHES, YOUR LIST WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY INCLUDE SOME ITALIAN TREATS. FROM PIZZA TO PASTA TO SEAFOOD, IT REALLY CAN BE ARGUED THAT ITALIANS DO IT BETTER.

Happily, Liverpool is a great city in which to shop for ingredients for your favourite Italian meals, or, even better, to have someone cook them for you!

After a hectic week had led to far too many rushed lunches at the laptop, it seemed like the perfect time to forget about work for a few hours and pay a visit to Bellini Liverpool, one of His & Hers’ favourite Italians.

Upon arrival, we noticed that the restaurant, and menus, have been given a subtle new look. However, the signature warm, friendly Italian welcome was unchanged. We’d highly recommend trying one of Bellini Liverpool’s cocktails, which you can watch being lovingly made at the bar. They were easy on the eye and the palette and provided the perfect accompaniment to our starters. Described in the menu as ‘the authentic way to start your meal’, Bellini’s antipasto looked almost too good to eat. Immaculately presented and delicious, this dish is big enough to share. We teamed it with classic bruschetta, a simple dish which was perfectly made.

Mains of risotto and homemade pumpkin-filled ravioli did not disappoint. Again, both dishes impressed in terms of presentation and tasted every bit as good as they looked. My dining companion dug deep and found a little extra appetite for profiteroles (no mean feat given the generous portion sizes). It would be worth visiting Bellini Liverpool for the quality of food and drink alone (and they have some excellent offers available on week days). However, part of what makes this restaurant so special is the friendly atmosphere and thoughtful and efficient waiters. The restaurant’s owners are Italian and have a huge amount of combined experience in the restaurant trade, and the care and investment taken in sourcing the best possible ingredients really does show on the plate. If Bellini Liverpool isn’t already one of your favourite Italians, pay it a visit and it soon will be.

Tel. 0151 236 0411, www.bellinicocktailbar.com

Related feature: Stars turn out for the re-launch of Bellini Liverpool.