Lunya top of the tapas, meat sweats and more

Confidentials 25 October 2013

YOU can't argue that Lunya is Liverpool's favourite Catalan restaurant and deli.

Well OK, yes, it's the only one. But now Peter Kinsella's College Lane place has won two big acccolades this month. Craft beer Alhambra have put it in their top five UK tapas restaurants and Open Table have gone one further, saying it's simply the best.

The other restaurants who made up the beery top five were in the glamorous locations of Swindon, Hull and Penrith with a gaff in Edinburgh winning outright.

Nevertheless, Alhambra spokesman Sam Houston said: “Lunya came in the top five and it is clear that they produce excellent food and have a loyal local following.”

All Things PigIf tapas isn't your thing, however, Lunya's gourmet nights allow the kitchen to show off without a patatas bravas in sight.

Confidential ended up at “All Things Pig” earlier this month which saw five Catalunyan wines matched with five imaginative porky courses. It's all very entertaining and edifying - and the food is generally peerless.

The next of these carefully thought out experiences is Islands of Spain on November 28 The menu celebrating the gastronomy of the Balearics and Canaries. So like your summer holiday, but in winter – and cheaper.

£54 with all food and wine thrown in. Book it here.

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Liverpool Samba Band: on a (drum) roll

Banging the drum
THE city's gezzie has given itself an attack of the meat sweats two times in as many weeks with the launch of Fazenda Rodizio Bar and Grill and, last night the third birthday of Viva Brazil.

FazendaLeeds-based Fazenda opened with a huge champagne hoolie. The new restaurant, located in Exchange Flags, is giving a Brazillian to those working and playing out in the traditional commercial district of the city.

There are now three rodizio restaurants in the city, Bem Brasil being the other one. But it seems where flesh is concerned our appetite is insatiable - until the point comes when we wave that red coaster that says “My mouth is full.”

Of course the main winner in all this is the Liverpool Samba Band who get all these gigs - and the Hollyoaks cast.

Viva Brazil

Andy Aldrich, owner of the Viva Brazil restaurant chain said: “It was an amazing night and the perfect way for us to celebrate the restaurant’s third birthday. I was delighted to see such a great turn out as the restaurant’s friends gathered to make it an unforgettable evening.

Meanwhile, Fazenda's Argentinian owner, Robert Melman, who also has a restaurant of the same name in Leeds, is confident the new place will be a big hit. He said: “We’ve already been given a fantastic welcome to the city and it was great to see so many people come to celebrate our opening.”

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Gluten night and thank you
Coeliac UK’s Liverpool volunteer support group are hosting a night of gluten-free pizza and music this Saturday October 26.

Eat Less Bread! is taking place at Maguire’s Pizza Bar (Renshaw Street). There will be plenty of volunteers on hand to dispense advice, answer queries and offer literature to those affected by coeliac disease.

Entry is free and the night’s music will be provided by Alpha Male Tea Party, whose new EP ‘Real Ale and Model Rail: A Lonely Man’s Guide To Not Committing Suicide’ has received rave reviews across the board.

For those not in the know, coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye.

Maguire's Pizza Bar will be providing a limited amount of free samples of their new gluten-free pizza range for those in attendance.

There will be advice, support and literature offered to those newly diagnosed, long-term sufferers and the curious.

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Hot Lebanese action
Speaking of the curious...fancy a bit of strange? That's not something a motorist will hear on Hope Street in this day and age.

However you must leave the car at home for this: 60 Hope Street Bistro is now taking bookings for a wine night where you can bin the Bordeaux. This is full of Middle Eastern promise.