MUCH has been said and written in recent years about how much better Liverpool’s restaurants are now compared to just a few years ago.

The list of new eateries with big reputations that have appeared over the last decade is a long one and includes Simply Heathcotes, the Olive Press, Piccolino, the London Carriageworks, 60 Hope Street, Panoramic and more recently San Carlo and the Noble House.

But not everyone is impressed, it seems.

Former Liverpool FC defender Andrea Dossena, below, who recently left the club to join Napoli, was less than complimentary about our grub, saying it is not a patch on what can be found in Naples.

“The food you have in Liverpool is quite challenging,” he told an Italian newspaper.

HOWEVER, it seems we are not a total loss in the food and drink sector.

Jonathan Dawson, a barista (bloke who makes coffee) with Merseyside coffee wholesaler, Miko, is hoping for greater things this year at the northern heat of the UK Barista Championships in mid-February.

Last year, the 27-year-old reached the last 25 out of 500 entrants and believes this year he can target a top six finish.

“I am lucky that I really enjoy my job and can practise every day,” he said.

MERSEYTRAVEL press officer Mike Kiddy is obviously a man who wears his heart on his sleeve.

Mike is a long-suffering Manchester City fan and, despite the optimism created by the new owners and their great wads of cash, he clearly is yet to be convinced that the good times are back.

At the end of a press release this week, he added the following “thought for the day”: “Money cannot buy you happiness – particularly if you are a Manchester City fan.”