THE Mediterranean diet is, we are assured, the best one for us to eat. Go to work on an olive, never mind an egg, is the latest mantra of the health police.

Worryingly, today’s healthy eating “suggestions” may well become tomorrow’s rules. Perhaps we may end up in years to come only being allowed to eat from a government-approved list. No doubt complete with GM food.

Who knows, maybe the “experts” are actually right, but then again . . . For now, I’m prepared to go along with them on the Mediterranean issue because, as it happens, I love that way of life – the food, the siestas, the sunshine.

On a warm summer evening, what nicer sort of food to enjoy? Obviously, eating it under a foreign sky is the ideal way but in the meantime I thought a trip to a Mediterranean/Turkish restaurant was worth a try.

Anatolia in downtown Wallasey, (yes, I know, it’s all downtown) has been open for about six months now and its bright, welcoming, modern facade along Seaview Road, in Liscard, beckoned me and my pal inside.

One look at the menu led to an instant decision that an aperitif would be required. It is an extensive bill of fare and they always just floor me as I can never make my mind up. An Efes Turkish beer and a coke were ordered – not your classic aperitifs, I know, but there you go.

We had chosen to go at sevenish on a Monday night so, not surprisingly, we were the only customers. The pretty and friendly Polish waitress, Marta, was instantly at our side and raring to oblige.

It’s a bright, airy establishment with 56 covers, simple wooden furniture and purple and white table clothes. On a busy night, I’ve no doubt the ambience is great. A distinct lack of customers can somehow seem to impact negatively on the food, but we happily chatted, catching up on the gossip, and it didn’t matter at all.

With pleasant Frank Sinatra and pals type music in the background, we also applied our minds to the menu and I went for Saksuka (£2.95). It comprises aubergine, potatoes, red peppers, garlic, parsley and olive oil and was very tasty.

My chum Audrey opted for humus (£2.95), the classic creamed chickpeas and tahini dip, and she was pleasantly surprised at both the generous quantity and flavour.

Our dishes were accompanied with French bread, which, as I don’t like pitta, was a definite bonus.

We could have started with a lentil or fish soup or other cold mezzes including octopus salad, stuffed vine leaves or Kisir, described as celery, walnuts, onion and pastry.

There is an equally lengthy hot mezze selection such as calamari, baked mussels, crab legs, and one of my favourite dishes, Borek, which for the uninitiated are deep fried filo parcels filled with either mince or cheese.