Alberts Schenke, Liverpool

Looking for somewhere to grab a bite for lunch, I noticed this place, which I’d coincidentally recently read an article about which recommended it for good food and local beers. The branding which promotes the place as an ale house and kitchen is a little misleading, as to my mind this was more of a conventional restaurant than somewhere you’d go to enjoy a few drinks. On entering I was greeted by a waitress who led me to a table far away from the bar because I’d specified that I wanted to eat. The interior is just one large open plan room with pine flooring, bare brick walls and lots of those exposed pipes and ducts running along the ceiling that you seem to get in this sort of establishment. Almost the whole room was set up for formal dining, meaning there were lots of standard table and chair arrangements, although there were a few high tables and stools and the odd sofa here and there. Blackboards dominated the decor, with lists of food and drinks everywhere you looked, whilst I also noticed a couple of display cabinets full of various bottles. The beer list was actually quite good with five ales available – Liverpool Organic 24 Carat (£2.95), Lancaster Blonde and Amber, Northern Best Bitter and Salamander Golden Salamander – although I thought the 24 Carat was too warm to properly enjoy. My sandwich was nice enough, although why they serve it with a pile of crisps I’ll never know. The waitress who served me was very polite and prompt but I did feel a bit like I was being watched because there were only a couple of other customers in. Maybe this place works better in the evening when there’s a good crowd in, but it all felt a little too clinical and formal for my liking. Bonus points for the good beer selection though.

You will get a good idea of what's inside from the 'Alehouse & Kitchen' part of the name. Housed in the re-built Casartelli Building, it has a bright modern interior, part raised by a single step. Mostly set out for dining, and even the other tables have table service. However, for the real ale drinker, ordering at the bar is the best bet as there is a good choice of local and regional beers from the five handpumps (e.g. Higsons Best Bitter at £2.95). (NB - Review dates from September 2011.)