B STREET is described as a 1950s cabaret lounge so I walked in expecting a smoky, dim room but got nothing of the sort.
 Based in converted warehouses near Liverpool's dock road, this contemporary restaurant is ideal for romantic diners but also boasts of its ability to cater for large parties. Smoking is only allowed in the bar, so the restaurant area, separated by a staircase, was fresh and decorated in a soulful scarlet with dark wood furniture and some exposed brickwork. On a Tuesday night, my companion and I were pleasantly surprised at how quickly the restaurant filled up from about 7.30pm to take advantage of the great value offer of three courses and half a bottle of wine for £15.95. The set menu was fairly restricted, which was somewhat to be expected, but was also a bit slim on choice for vegetarians who did not eat seafood. For the average omnivore, the dishes sounded appetising. Thrown in at no extra cost was live guitar music, which set the mood perfectly and a preadvertised host of events goes right through to June. If the mood takes you, not only is there a small stage, but also a miniature dance floor. The maitre d' met us at the door, which leads in from a floodlit car park, a rare and welcome addition to a restaurant so close to the city centre. We were led to our table and offers were made to take our coats, but declined as we had not defrosted from the walk out of town on a chilly night. A waiter took drinks orders promptly so we were furnished with our very drinkable white wine while we decided on what to order from the a la carte choice. I plumped for prawn and mango salad while my companion's eyes lit up when he saw black pudding listed amongst the starters. Rather unusual I thought as a dinner option, but when it arrived it was not the usual crusty slice of breakfast fare with large white blobs of fat peering out. The dish was weighed down by two meaty sausage shapes, surrounded by salad. With a jet black colour and almost velvety texture, I was persuaded to try some for the first time to overcome my squeamishness at the idea of black pudding. Although not to my taste, I could appreciate that this was a much more gourmet item than was the norm and pleased my dining companion no end. | 
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