St Petersburg is Liverpool’s only Russian restaurant and it’s an absolute delight. A must try restaurant.

The Venue
St Petersburg is set in a quiet side street in Liverpool’s vibrant East Quarter and is quite frankly a culinary adventure.

As you arrive at the premises you find a wooden door. To gain entry you push the buzzer and wait and then you get your first taste of Russia - the staff. Upstairs you sit at the bar while you wait for your table and this is where your adventure begins. Take this moment to sample the delights of the bar and attempt to take in all that is happening around you.

The lighting is subdued but that is the only thing about the place that is. The tables are nicely spaced and there is a magical romantic feel.

The People
Couples seem to be the mainstay but you also get the occasional group plus a few families. The staff are very friendly and there's live music from an entertainer armed with a keyboard and this character can only be described as a male Margarita Pracatan and only adds to the appeal.

The Food
There are so many interesting and tempting choices that it’s incredibly difficult to make up your mind. As you read through the menu you realise this is a culinary experience of the like you will find hard to match elsewhere.

The bouzhenina (£6.95) is quite simply as good a starter as you could wish for. It's a pork loin infused with garlic and mustard and served with carrots that are still crisp to the bite. If you fancy soup then the schee (£5.95) is a wonderful mix of tastes that somehow works. It's made of sour cabbage, mushrooms and vegetables all served in a large rustic bowl and topped off with garlic herbs and sour cream and it will liven up even the most dour of taste buds.

If you feel adventurous there is the rare opportunity to indulge in a plate of caviar or smoked eel. Leave plenty of room though as the main course will strain every sinew to ensure you are content.

You could plump for the traditional Russian fare such as the goulash (£15.95) which is a heart warming stew of tender chunks of beef and vegetables flavoured generously with paprika. But if you're looking for a feast then the chinaxi (£14.95) is a must. The lamb is cooked to perfection in a traditional Russian oven and flavoured with the most enlivening spicy red wine sauce you're ever likely to taste. This is served with an abundance of aubergine, vegetables and potatoes. The dish will simply leave you speechless and this is not simply due to the pepper in the sauce that tingles in the mouth.

The desserts consist of various ice creams and pancakes, or sladkie blini to give them their rightful title, which are served with lemon, sugar, jam, syrup or ice cream. A mix that creates its own sweet music.

The Drink
You would expect nothing less in a Russian restaurant than an unrivalled selection of vodka. There is quite simply a huge choice of Russia’s favourite drink ranging from the subtly titled Regular at £2.50 a shot to the more lavishly named Ultra Premium at £100 a bottle. There is also an extensive wine list covering wines from Russia through to every major wine making country in the world.

The Last Word
The city of St Petersburg conjures up visions of a grandiose, wonderful place that is steeped in history. Once inside St Petersburg in the heart of Liverpool it feels like you're in one of the world's most beautiful cities. You owe it to yourself to sample the best that Russia has to offer.

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