I had taken my son and a friend to Gino’s 360 Degrees on the top floor to savour the view as well as Nebbiolo Monfirrato Avamposti starters and drinks, all for £45. The panoramic view through half-height panelled glass of the Waterfront of our great city of Liverpool was breathtaking 360C. I was served by a very loquacious Polish waiter who was a fountain of knowledge; the encounter culminated in an erudite discourse with my son on the merits of various designer trainers, a topic not entirely associated with a 360 degrees viewing of Liverpool, but welcome non the less, at least by my son. This happenstance stimulated a further investigation of the main restaurant downstairs at a later date.Two weeks later, I went back, I dined in the Main Restaurant on the first floor of Innside Liverpool, a contemporary utilitarian building of glass, steal, and concrete. Inside, the restaurant was modernistic in design with exposed pipework, cables, and metal beams adorning a lofty ceiling reminiscent of dockland warehouse conversions. Although it occupied a large space, the atmosphere was more intimate with smaller sections partitioned off by dimmed lights in elevated wicker baskets with small flickering candles at table level. There were comfortable bench-style seats arranged in front of the large windows running down one side, with small tables and matching chairs placed centrally, and intriguingly-lit bars along the other two sides exuding a romantic feeling or the right place for an informal meetingGino d’Acampo, has an extensive menu and wine list specialising in meals for the discerning palate, and it has to be said for the rather deeper wallet. Martina, the manageress, and Jan, our waitress, were so helpful in making recommendations. We started with an Aperol Spritz and a Lazzaroni Amaretto and settled for Lamb Pugliese and Aubergine Parmigiana with sides of spicy spinach and “zucchini fritte”. The lamb was succulent to the taste in a rich sauce and the parmigiana was also well presented. The taste of an Italian parmigiana can differ, and this one was not too far. The dessert course was an impressive “Piatto di Dolci”, consisting of a small Nutella chocolate cheesecake, small glass of panna cotta and small tea cups of tiramisu, all beautifully arranged, rich and sensuous to the taste. On an amusing note, although the toilets were a real revelation being bright and clean, the symbols on the entry doors needed a bit of deciphering, the small skirt and short trousers were difficult to distinguish perhaps suggesting a possible merger to unisex facilities in the future in fact so confusion that I was shocked to realised that I have used the male toilet. All in all, we had a great night out reinforced by a very kind and considerate staff. We came out feeling well satisfied with an enjoyable experience, but this gratification is to be expected when the bill for a two-course meal for two approaches the hundred mark.Diner for two £95
