Liverpool has welcomed many popular and well-loved restaurants over the years - but sadly not all of them have stood the test of time.
Today, people across the region will go to their favourite restaurants to celebrate a special occasion or for a pay day treat. And 20 or so years ago, these venues were where many of us headed.
From new businesses breathing life back into the Albert Dock to family-run restaurants at the heart of the city and new concept fast-food chains, it's hard to believe we can't enjoy one last meal at these venues. But that doesn't mean we still can't reminisce about the good times we had there.
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Some of the businesses were acquired by other companies or saw massive chains we know today take over their units, whereas other family-run restaurants closed after years in the city and are still fondly remembered today. Here, we take a look back at a number of Liverpool restaurants loved and lost to the 00s.
This list is not intended to be comprehensive, we've selected a number of well-known restaurants that closed during the decade. But if you have any suggestions of lost restaurant independents or chains once in the region, let us know in the comments section.
Est Est Est
Established by Derek and Edwina Lilley, Italian ristorante and pizzeria Est Est Est opened April 17, 1989 on Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock. Serving everything from classic pizza and pasta dishes to meat and desserts from its popular sweet trolley, Est Est Est was a firm favourite for years.
In November 2005, the restaurant also underwent a complete transformation, including a new bar and the "who's who" of Liverpool came along to sample the authentic Italian food, from Hollyoaks stars to John Barnes, Sylvian Distiin and singer Liz McClarnon. But by 2007, the Liverpool ECHO reported how the Est Est Est restaurant chain was to change to a new "Gusto bar and restaurant" identity, in a £10m rebranding by owner Living Ventures.
The Golden Phoenix
The Golden Phoenix was the first Chinese restaurant to arrive in the city, opening its doors during the 1960s. A popular choice for diners in the city, it was located close to where the Premier Inn now sits on Hanover Street.
But in 2009, the popular restaurant was demolished by Liverpool ONE developer Grosvenor to make way for new leisure and retail space. In 2012, it was announced that Liverpool's "largest" restaurant, Tai Wu, was to open on what was the Golden Phoenix site.
Can you name a popular Liverpool restaurant lost to the 00s? Let us know in the comments section below.
Blue Bar & Grill
In 1998, Blue Bar & Grill first opened and its success later gave way to Baby Blue, a members club situated in the basement of the restaurant. Occupying a large part of the Edward Pavilion at the Albert Dock, the affectionately known ‘Blue’ was a staple for famous faces who came along to drink and dine.
Baby Blue attracted big names, from local stars to international legends and while a schedule of high profile DJs were regularly found behind the decks at the nightclub, it was perhaps best renowned for its comedy nights. By the late 2000s, Baby Blue made the full time switch to becoming a comedy venue under its new guise of Liverpool Comedy Central.
Deep Pan Pizza
Once one of the largest pizza restaurant groups, in the 90s, Deep Pan Pizza had chains all over the UK. Known for its bold and bright red and yellow logos and décor, inside groups would be shown to an American-style booths and could also watch "the latest music videos" on TV screens.
In Liverpool itself, many will remember chains at Edge Lane and on Stonedale Retail and Leisure Park off East Lancashire Road. In April 2005, the ECHO reported how Frankie & Benny's was opening its first Liverpool outlet on Edge Lane Retail Park on May 9, creating about 45 new jobs in the former Deep Pan Pizza site.
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Caesar's Palace
Caesar's Palace was a popular Italian restaurant offering a variety of dishes including pasta, pizza and burgers. Seating over 300 people, most main courses cost less than £10 and many deemed the Renshaw Street restaurant as a "special occasion place," only visiting the restaurant for birthdays, anniversaries and work parties.
The exterior made it literally look like a palace, with its neon blue lights and the restaurant also had large fish tanks which delighted younger diners. Despite its success in the 1990s, Caesar's Palace sadly lost popularity in the 2000s. and by 2008 it was no more.
Don Pepe
In the 2000s, Spanish restaurant Don Pepe proudly stood on Liverpool's Victoria Street. Loved for its traditional tapas dishes and atmosphere, the interior of the restaurant was certainly a sight to behold.
An old review previously said: "With its walls adorning rural Spain and its water features, Don Pepe is a Spanish Oasis in the heart of Liverpool. I can imagine when you have the holiday blues a night dining in here could be almost therapeutic."
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The Shanghai Palace, Pier Head
Now home to Matou, one Liverpool waterfront site was previously home to the River Rooms, Berni Inn - and then The Shanghai Palace. In 2001, the ECHO reported how the famous Mersey riverfront restaurant was set for a £400,000 makeover, as Liverpool city council were considering plans to turn the old steak house at the Pier Head into a Chinese restaurant.
The plan was the brainchild of businessman Joe Farley whose company, J.O.E. Leisure, imported luxurious fixtures and fittings from China to transform the building. A popular choice for diners in Liverpool, it remained the Shanghai Palace Chinese restaurant, until that was bulldozed in 2007 as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the Pier Head.
Mister M's Waterside Seafood
Situated on the Albert Dock, Mister M’s Waterside Seafood was particularly popular in the late 1990s and early noughties. Set over two floors, it had simple brick walls and a classy spiral staircase in the middle of the room.
As for the menu, it consisted of “plenty of tempting and original dishes”. This included the likes of of Smoked Haddock Fillet classically served with a poached egg and a chive sauce and traditional Moules Marinere.
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