I chose the slow braised lamb shoulder (£14.95) leaving my other half to decide between the Italian beef burger with smoked provola cheese and fries (£10.50) and the pan-fried chicken breast with polenta and a creamy mushroom sauce (£11.95).

In the end the chicken won out and he threw in a portion of new potatoes for god measure.

This time I was the winner, the lamb fell off the bone and was smothered in a deliciously sticky red wine jus, with sweet, roasted vegetables. The polenta was a little on the charred side, but my husband was more than happy to swap me for his.

His chicken meanwhile was tender and light not the biggest portion ever, that said the mushroom sauce was a delight.

Somehow after all that gorging we still found room for dessert. Although a little breather was needed between courses. I ordered tiramisu (£4.95) while he went for the sticky toffee pudding (£5.75).

They were both excellent, the toffee pudding was superbly stodgy the way you hope for while the tiramisu was thick and stiff with mascarpone cream as well as a more than adequate thatch of chunky chocolate shavings.

With expanding waistlines and a spoonful of tiramisu that just could not be forced down left forlorn on the plate, there was definitely no room left for coffees, so we ordered the bill and headed home.

It might not have been planned that we ended up here but I can safely say we will be returning…with gusto!

Gusto, 146-148 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 0AH

Tel: 0151 348 4538

Style: Sexy, stylish and glamorous.

Value for money: Not cheap but you certainly get what you pay for.

Service: Very friendly and attentive, nothing is too much trouble.

Bill with drinks: £75.25.