The Monro, Duke Street, Liverpool

May 13 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

The Monro, Duke Street, Liverpool _320

EVERY bar that serves its Sunday roast on huge square plates calls itself a gastropub these days, but The Monro, on Duke Street, is the real McCoy.

This restaurant and pub is still something of a hidden gem in Liverpool, despite the praise heaped at its Grade II-listed doorstep by the likes of the Sunday Times and GQ magazine.

Inside, it is cosy and traditional, decorated in plush red velvet, ochre walls and polished dark wood, with leafy palms in pots.

The Monro, which takes its name from the Regency three- masted sailing ship, the James Monro, will next month see more of its original Georgian and Edwardian features being restored to their former glory, plus new real fires and an extended bar area opening up.

Sourcing produce locally is high on its list of priorities, as is the quality of its real ales – Cumbria’s Jennings Bitter is a favourite – and a dedicated cellarman is retained to ensure that. This month, they are going for their Cask Marque accreditation, and two extra pumps will be installed after they reopen.

Open 12-11.30pm, Monday to Thursday and Friday and Saturday until 1am, The Monro offers a busy calendar for the foodie. On the first Monday of every month, it unveils its Pudding Banquet – a light main course then three fresh desserts for £14.95.

Monday and Tuesday are both Organic Wine Club days, and on Sunday there’s a special two- course menu for £12.95. There’s also the daily Pretty Pea cheaper early bird menu.

In June, The Monro is closing for refurbishment, see www.themonro.com for reopening details.

* THE Monro restaurant, 92, Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 5AG. Tel: 0151 707 9933.