The James Monro

I’m not exactly sure what US President James Monroe did for Liverpool but we have two pubs named after him. One is named after a ship that in turn was named after him. This one, situated on Tithebarn Street, is named after just Monroe. The man, the myth, the maverick.
With its subdued wooden furnishings and indoor tropical plants, the pub feels like some Empire-​era colonial outpost, the kind of place that would see missionaries and dignitaries strolling through its doors talking in blathering tones of mosquito nests and the natives. It’s not, obviously, but I really it wish it was.

If you’re in the mood for a juxtaposition of rather fancy but also down to earth, well you’re out of luck. Russell Brand is going and getting bloomin’ well married isn’t he. Still if you can garner the same satisfaction from tasty grub and a nice refreshing pint, why not head to a gastropub? This is a nice one. It’s the James Monro and it’s central enough to grab a delicious lunch from if you’re shopping or wandering round the tourist hotspots.
The visit will start pleasantly enough with friendly staff if you’re as lucky as I was, who will take care of you warmly and civilly. Yes, this is one of those places where you feel well looked after. There are a multitude of choices which is great if you’ve got a big group or lots of picky eaters. The fish here is thoroughly excellent, great for the carnivores of the sea like me, and the scallops are literally to die for as well as a tuna steak that’s pink in the middle and deliciously soft. Mmm, I do love rare tuna. It’s a very popular place but if you go at the right time you’re likely to find a table without booking as we did, and the atmosphere is lovely.
It feels traditional, homely and the cask ales are seasonal and very unusual, including Marston’s, Wychwood and Jennings. You’ll almost want to don a flat cap and wander in wearing a tweed blazer with leather elbow patches leaning on a very posh cane. It’s rather a nice sensation, I assure you.

Classy is the word I’d use to describe The James Monro every time, perhaps too classy for a student type such as myself.
The surroundings are plush and this is the archetypal gastropub. The staff are excellent and you feel relaxed and at home inside even though the décor can make a scruffy student feel out of place slightly.
The drinks are expensive but you realise this from the moment you enter and it can come as no shock at all that there is no change from a fiver for two pints. The food is The James Monros real shining light, the menu would hold up in many gourmet restaurants and the service is exceptional I took my girlfriend here early on in our relationship trying to impress and was shocked to find that even with a two for one offer on steaks the cost was still over twenty five pounds, not too say it wasnt worth the price as the food was unbelieveable,
All in all a proper pub which transitions beautifully into gourmet restaurant and doesnt let you down in either field even if it is a bit out of the student price range.
So if youve got a bit of spare cash and you feel like an upmarket pint then put on a nice jumper and head to The James Monro

Not exactly the type of pub that I feel is relaxed enough for me to just duck into for a quiet pint and certainly not somewhere to go with mates for more than a few, The James Munro is a modern, elegant kind of place that is better for a casual date or business lunch as the main thing here is the food.
The interior really is classy, being a modern polished version of the traditional British public house as you expect from todays gastropubs. Big comfy, wooden framed booths line the side near the bar while the floor is taken up with dining tables.
This is a good place to come for lunch especially with the 2 course special, as you get the benefit of good food without the fine dining faffing. The food is good so it seems a pity that The James Munro is situated in such a quiet part of town for an evening dining experience.