We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, you’d be hard pushed to find a better business lunch spot than Trattoria 51.

We’ve been friendly with the owners at the popular eatery for a long time, so when they invited us in to try out their updated menu, we quickly accepted.

What I’ve always loved about Trattoria 51 is that from the moment you step foot in the door, you feel as though you’ve been transported to Naples.

I love Italy – it’s from where some of my favourite ‘p’ words transpire – prosecco, pizza and pasta.

I love the hustle and bustle of Italy – and Naples in particular. I’ve visited a couple of times and always relish the smell of strong coffee and fresh pastries and the sounds of moped horns tooting and locals yelling to one another down busy and winding cobbled streets.

And Liverpool’s Italian community, it seems, love Trattoria 51. And why wouldn’t they, it’s as authentic as you can get. Proper, hearty Italian food cooked up by proper, passionate Italian chefs and served by friendly Italian waiters and waitresses.

I visited for lunch earlier this month and was as pleased as ever.

Serving a range of fresh pasta and pizza, as well as traditional and delicious-sounding chicken, steak and fish dishes, I am always hard pushed to decide what to eat here – so we ordered a glass of prosecco to help us peruse the menu. Well, when in Rome…

Spoilt for choice, I opted for the orecchiette pasta with sausage, mushrooms, garlic and cherry tomatoes from the restaurants artisan pasta menu. The artisan pasta is made daily on site and uses only the freshest ingredients.

The Italian ethos is this – simple food made well and with love. And this sausage and pasta dish is a good example of that.

Using only a few ingredients, this dish, like others on the menu, is tasty and comforting and completely moreish. Feeling somewhat defeated three quarters of the way through (the portions here are not for the feint hearted) I still couldn’t throw down my fork.

My guest plumped for the penne pollo picante – spicy chicken, chilli, pesto, rocket, garlic, cherry tomatoes and cream – and it looked lip-smackingly good too. She, like me, cleared her generously-filled plate.

And despite the plentiful portion sizes at Trattoria 51, we also shared a side of garlic bread with tomato – well it was Monday, when carbs are imperative if you ask me. I’m completely unapologetic about the whole thing.

Well, we were a little bit sorry, as we’d left no room for dessert – and hells bells do Trattoria do dessert well. Traditional tiramisu, zingy lemon posset or warm, comforting apple tart. It’s all too tempting… and reason enough to go back soon.

Trattoria 51 is nestled on the corner of Old Hall Street and Fazakerley Street in the heart of Liverpool’s business district. They have speedy business lunches down to a fine art, but it is family-friendly too, serving up a dedicated menu for the bambinos.

Whether you’re looking for somewhere to impress clients or somewhere to wine and dine your loved ones, Trattoria 51 is an ideal option that won’t disappoint.