IF there was ever a spot to enjoy good quality, traditional Italian food after a wearying shopping trip or to fuel up before a night on the town, Manzo is probably it.

The relaxed restaurant at Liverpool One makes no bones about its approach: tasty food, fresh ingredients speak for themselves, served by ever friendly staff.

Really, it makes you wonder why other places bother with all the hustle and bustle.

I kicked things off with Manzo Bites (£9.95), a selection of Italian cured meats with fresh bread, and Bolt Burrata (£6.95), buffalo mozzarella, pressed salami, Italian olives, yellow cherry tomatoes and sourdough.

The bread was crisp and light, the mozzarella creamy, the meat salty and full of flavour; simple cooking at its best.

Proceedings are ratcheted up for the main, something of a treat I couldn't help but prick my ears to.

"Would you like to try the lobster and burger, sir?" Once I'd established it was 'and', and not 'or', there was really only one answer I could give.

Clever presentation made it appear as if our crustacean friend was trying to get stuck into the burger, something I wasted no time in doing.

Either element, the lobster or burger, could have stood in its own right; the lobster meat tender, the beef patty thick,cooked to a juicy medium and sandwiched in a sweet brioche bun.

A special on the day, the main course was £20.99 and included a glass of Prosecco.

Room to manoeuvre was becoming a slight issue, but I still found sufficient space for a spot of dessert.

Chocolatempt (£5.45), a chocolate pudding served with hazelnut ice cream was the kind of rich, melt-in-the-middle enjoyment that makes you feel like reaching for the gym membership.