INTRODUCTION
A MODERN development that is conveniently only a two-minute walk from Lime Street train station. The city's main TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE is here in Queen Square. There is also a long line of yellow bus stops from where services run to - among many other places - Goodison Park, Anfield and Penny Lane. Dominating Queen Square, and visible from Lime Street station, is the Marriott city centre hotel (not to be confused with the Marriott by the airport). It is surrounded by a cluster of restaurants, bars and large pubs - mainly operated by national chains.

RESTAURANTS
Within a matter of yards, there is a considerable choice. Inside the Marriott is OLIVER'S (Phone 0151 476 8000) and VIVACITY.

Looking over the courtyard is the neo-Spanish LA TASCA, (0151 709 7999) a large restaurant bar, popular with hen parties. Around the corner is the Mexican-style TAVERN (0151 709 1070) which was opened by a local restaurateur following the success experienced with an eaterie of the same name in the Penny Lane area.

In a prominent position is the glass-fronted ASK (0151 709 0080). Nearby is BAR MED (0151 707 6455) and NANDO'S chicken restaurant (0151 708 4124).

On the other side of the Marriott - opposite St John's Gardens - are two more restaurants standing next door to each other: THE ITALIAN KITCHEN (0151 709 0922) and TSO'S, serving Chinese cuisine (0151 709 2811).

BARS and PUBS
Big and modern are RAT AND PARROTT, THE SQUARE and - across the road - YATE'S WINE LODGE. They all serve meals, as does BAR MED. On the other side of the Marriott is DOCTOR DUNCAN'S, a traditional-style pub.

REAL ALE
DOCTOR DUNCAN'S (0151 709 5100) in St John's Lane is a big favourite of the Merseyside CAMRA brigade. Worth a visit just for the interior decor. Serves meals too. The pub is run by Cain's, the only sizeable brewery left in Liverpool. Doctor Duncan's also looks across the pleasant St John's Gardens towards the fine buildings of William Brown Street.