The Fat Italian Crosby — Restaurant in Sefton

We called in here May bank holiday weekend, after a day out at Crosby beach. We hadn't booked, but were welcomed and taken straight to a table by Shameen. Rochanne mainly waited on us, and was absolutely lovely from the minute we sat down until we left. She was also was very sweet and attentive to our five year old little girl, wh8ch made us feel welcome and relaxed. James also waited on us and they both regularly checked in with us about our meals, and kept our drinks topped up... excellent service from them both. My husband had the sticky chicken starter and said it was fabulous (a very generous portion). I had the crab and prawns on smashed avacado, and iceberg lettuce, which was just bursting with flavour, and was also a generous portion. I told Rochanne that it was the tastiest starter I'd ever had and to please pass this onto the chef. My husband then had the beef lasagne, and I had the seafood pasta. We both agreed that the flavours, texture and taste were absolutely spot on. The portion sizes were so generous that we were fit for bursting, and my husband was even defeated and couldn't quite finish his off. Our daughter had the kids "fish goujons meal", and again couldn't finish it as the goujons were actual fillets in a delicious tasty homemade crumb, so there was no way we were wasting them, and so took them home in a box. (My husband had them for his supper on tiger bread later that night and said they were the poshest kids fish fingers he'd ever tasted hahaha)!! We had a break, a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, then enjoyed the Dime bar sundae, kids ice cream and the luxurious "Afgogato" (espresso/ice cream delight recommended by Rochanne). The decor is very nice and has a lovely ambience, and just as importantly, the toilets were IMMACULATE (possibly the cleanest I've ever seen in a restaurant). It was nice to feel relaxed, and very welcome. The young staff here clearly enjoy their jobs and are capable of keeping up the expected "excellent standards" of an Italian eatery in a prominent position in a seaside town!! All in all, we came away 100% satisfied that we'd had a lovely late lunch/early tea, value for money, and "service with a smile" from all the management (Alex) and staff. There was a definite proud feeling from the staff as they told me about the Italian chef "Franco" that set up his restaurant many years ago. I think they're doing a great job in keeping his legacy going. We'll come here again for sure if we visit Crosby in the...

Experience was underwhelming. Couldn't get a table in the Ormskirk fat italian so booked here. Heard so much about it but the staff were really not very good. No one greeted us and staff rushed by us standing there at the entrance so we had to go toward the bar and have to tell them we had a reservation which was very awkward. The staff were very unnattentive to our table throughout and seemed as if they wanted to rush away whenever we had to call them over. Dishes were taken away very infrequently. One member of our party has a coffee cup which he finished before we ordered food and was constantly missed when staff took away dishes. So much so that we had to ask for it to be taken when we got our desserts. Also I asked our waitress if they do a stout beer. She went on a ramble about the names of beers available and how they are not on draught etc. I then asked again if she does stout beers and she again started to ramble before going back to the bar to ask about it. I assume she didn't know what a stout is, which is fine as I don't know my beer brands well either. But just say you don't know and ask the bar in the first place? I can see you don't do draught and the brands you have available, it's on the menu. Having to listen to things I didn't aak about and having to ask the same question twice shouldnt be necessary. The food tasted good but was expensive and dishes were small. I might try the Ormskirk branch to see if its any better as it seems most of the issues were with the waiting staff. To top it off it was clear our waitress knew she hadn't been very good as she changed from a quiet and rushed character to all of a sudden very smiley and inquisitive about our lives once it was time to get the tip! She should have been like that whilst she was standing around chatting to...

This is a fantastic restaurant I visited with a friend after doing some shopping a week or so ago ( the pics popped up in my memories so I'm writing this now only because I went in to a food coma after visiting 🤤🤣) it was quite busy but happily fitted us in without a booking ( it was the last available table I will book next time just to be safe ) I ordered the duck starter a lasagna and the chocolate brownie all the food was impeccable sorry I didn't photo the starter it smelt soo good when it came to the table I totally forgot to take a pic 🤣 and it was as good as it smelt I loved the crispy seaweed / kale ( it was one or the other ) the lasagne came to the table bubbling and was nearly perfect maby a little more seasoning and mince but (make sure you have a big appetite) it's a monster size really deep and super saucy I had to use my second stomach for my pudding but it was no problem because the chocolate brownie was warm gooie yummyness with the ice-cream hot cold contrast the best Finnish for a brilliant meal check back was done for every course and drinks kept topped up fantastic customer service will definitely be going again soon payday Friday hopefully I can book in for Monday because unfortunately I'm in work the weekend in hospitality myself and really would say it's the best place I have eaten in a long time ( going to be dreaming about that meal tonight salivating...