Review: It's Italian for Welcome - Prego at Liverpool One Chavasse Park

With such a vast array of restaurants in Liverpool One, it has become as much a dining destination as a shopper's paradise in the city centre.

Situated next to Chaophraya, Prego Liverpool One is a bold new venture for Italian owner Franco who already runs a successful sister restaurant of the same name in Aintree.

In business just six weeks at its Chavasse Park home, Prego offers a gastronomic selection you won't find amongst Liverpool One's eateries. A cut above the multiple chain restaurants at L1, Franco's authentic Italian is rumoured to have become one of Kim Cattrall's favourites during her stay in the city, supplying The Playhouse with lunchtime deliveries.

The tantalising menu offers huge range of pasta dishes, risottos, pizzas, seafood specialities including Lobster and Jumbo Tiger King Prawns, and meat eaters will delight at such an extensive choice of Welsh steaks, Welsh lamb, chicken, veal, calves liver and many more interesting dishes lined up for Christmas time.

The previously unoccupied unit at L1 underwent a costly refurbishment, including a freshly fitted 'all-mod-cons' kitchen complete with The Josper Grill. A charcoal barbecue, it facilitates heat control bringing a delicious intensity of flavour from everything placed upon it.

Friendly owner Franco and his waiting staff ensure the restaurant lives up to its name, providing a warm welcome into a relaxed atmosphere for diners in a modern low-lit setting.

After several minutes perusing the extensive menu, we settled on our starters: Gamberoni al Pomodoro (Tiger Prawns with garlic, chilli, tomato & basil) and the Antipasto Alla Italiana (A selection of Italian charcuterie, olives, sun-blushed tomato, pickles and scamorzza cheese). The large juicy prawns were complemented well by a strong hit of garlic, chilli and basil, while the generous platter of cured meats and accompanying treats were mouth-wateringly tasty.

As meat lovers sharing a gorgeously smooth bottle of red (Montepulciano D'Abruzzo), for main we felt compelled to select from the slabs of meat on offer. The Tornada Surf and Turf (Prime barrel Welsh fillet steak, grilled jumbo prawn, light calvados and garlic cream sauce) and one of the five Veal dishes on the menu, Cotoletta Di Vitello (Grilled rose veal chop with rosemary roast jus). My partner tucked into a satisfying lump of perfectly medium-grilled fillet steak, swimming in a delicious creamy sauce, served alongside three fresh jumbo prawns, which certainly lived up to their name.

At first unsure about sampling the rose veal chop, a meat previously alien to my palate, I could not wait to dig in as soon as the dish arrived. Simply presented, the rosemary jus allowed the rich juices oozing from the hefty chunk to take over the tastebuds. The Josper Grill had truly worked its magic on both dishes, with an unmistakable smoky chargrilled flavour pleasantly hitting the back of your throat.

Despite bulging stomachs, unable to resist dessert we shared Prego's 'Award Winning' Panna Cotta - sweet and creamy, served with tangy raspberries, it is a must for those with a sweet tooth. Armed with two spoons, it vanished within seconds!

9/10 Try Prego before it gets booked up!

OPEN DAILY FROM 12 - 2.30 PM & 5 - 11 PM (late bar)

BUSINESS LUNCH from £7.95 Monday-Friday 12-2pm

EARLY DOORS (3 courses £16.95) Monday-Friday 5pm to 7pm

PASTA ALL NIGHT from £5.95 Monday & Tuesday and EVERY LUNCHTIME 12-2pm

SUNDAY CARVERY from £8.95 12-4pm

To book your table please call 0151 236 2995 or email: reservations@pregoliverpoolone.com

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