Gino D’Acampo has provided a first look at his new restaurant, Gino D’Acampo, Manchester, as it officially opens today.
Located at leading lifestyle hotel, INNSiDE by Meliá, Manchester, and with its own private entrance on First Street square, the beautiful 200-seated restaurant and bar lounge harnesses the first-class world-operating standards for which Meliá Hotels International and Gino Restaurants are recognised, bringing premium Italian dining to the vibrant neighbourhood and further enhancing the city’s culinary offer.
Designed by acclaimed international restaurant designer, Bernard Carroll, the look and feel of the beautiful open-plan venue is impressive, with bespoke bold wall coverings, rich woods, polished marble surfaces, ornate handmade rugs, and brushed brass accent features combining to create a space that is both stylish and sophisticated, and yet relaxed.
Guests arriving through the hotel, located directly on First Street and just a stone’s throw from Deansgate station, will be greeted at a new reception area, where a first glimpse of the new restaurant and bar lounge can be enjoyed.
From here the beautiful restaurant and bar lounge unfolds with vast ceiling-to-floor windows flooding the venue with natural light and affording views out to the First Street district and beyond.
The colour scheme is light and airy, with Gino’s signature soft blue and neutral furnishings in a mix of butter-soft leather and thick woven fabrics providing the perfect complement to the restaurant’s solid marble tables. Each is dressed with an ornate lamp that creates the perfect ambience come nightfall.
Providing added interest and featuring throughout is the restaurant and bar lounge’s stylish feature wallpaper. Adorned with exotic birds and bold wildflowers, it’s a real focal point and draws the eye to the restaurant’s high ceilings, from which low-hanging boat rope woven lamps are suspended amongst beautiful green trailing vines.
A thoughtful seating arrangement, including intimate tables of two through to sumptuous booths for up to 12, cater for a wide range of drinking and dining occasions and present a number of opportunities for larger parties.
All afford a view to the first of two bars, with a back-lit honey onyx centrepiece serving as the perfect spot to peruse the extensive list of classic and signature cocktails, Italian and international wines, sparkling wines, Franciacorta, spirits, zero alcohol drinks, and artisan beers to be enjoyed.
A beautiful and softly draped curtain you can imagine gently floating in the Riviera sea breeze, separates the restaurant floor and serves as a backdrop to the opening of a second drinking and dining area. Here a further range of high and low-level tables and booths extend the range of seating options, anchored by the restaurant and bar lounge’s second bar – a beautiful bronze rotunda feature.
Guests are invited to pull up a seat and watch Gino’s esteemed team of mixologists at work, whilst gazing out to the restaurant’s impressive elevated two-tier terrace and First Street square below; now accessible through a further direct restaurant entrance.
An already beautiful spot in which to sip a signature spritz on blue sky days, its set become even more desirable come spring, when work to further enhance the beautiful 80-seat alfresco drinking and dining space will be complete.
Behind the scenes, advancements to the restaurant’s kitchen sees Gino and his esteemed team of chefs bring his full menu to Gino D’Acampo Manchester, incorporating an impressive selection of classic Italian dishes. All are made as they should be, from scratch, with no compromise, and using the best well-sourced seasonal ingredients to ensure all guests enjoy a real taste of Italy.
And there’s no shortage of choice, with the menu separated into 11 key sections – bread and olives; sharing plates; bruschetta and antipasti; carpaccio and tartare; salads; pasta and risotto; real Neapolitan pizza; classic Italian mains plates, steaks, and a speciality grill sitting alongside a generous selection of side dishes.
New for 2024 and launching exclusively at Gino D’Acampo Manchester, the leading Italian chef is proud to also introduce a number of ‘at-table’ theatre dishes for an elevated dining experience.
Choose from the Baked Whole Seabass in a Thyme-Flavoured Salt Crust (£31.75) and flamed with grappa at the table, or the beautiful Spaghetti Al Tartufo (£25pp). Featuring spaghetti alla chitarra with truffle sauce, pecorino Romano and black truffle, and served from a pecorino wheel at the table, it’s a showstopping dish and guaranteed conversation starter.
Further signature dishes include Linguine Seafood, Super Spicey Pizza and Filetto Al Pepe Nero, with an extensive dessert menu providing the perfect finish to every dining occasion, including Gino’s own personal favourite, tiramisu. For guests dining on a Sunday, two Italian-style roast dinners are also available to be enjoyed, with Gino’s gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan, and bambino menus catering for all dietary requirements.
An authentic Italian service adds to the premium and yet informal dining experience, available to guests all day, every day with a breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner service until late. An in-room dining service is also available for guests of the hotel.
Speaking on the opening, Gino D’Acampo said: “I couldn’t be more pleased to unveil my beautiful new restaurant here in the heart of Manchester. It’s no secret I have a real love for the city and I’m super excited to open with my most exciting menu to date. Featuring real Italian dishes, all cooked from scratch and using the very best seasonal ingredients, Gino D’Acampo Manchester offers real Italian food as it should be.
“I really hope to see you here, whether it’s to enjoy one of my real Neapolitan pizzas, new ‘at-table’ theatre dishes, or simply sip on a classic Negroni, just like I intend to when I next visit.”
Garry Fortune, UK Director at Meliá Hotels International, added: “From the very start we knew that Gino D’Acampo Manchester was going to be special. The finished result has, however, exceeded all our expectations. We’re looking forward to inviting every guest of INNSiDE by Meliá, Manchester, and visitor to experience Gino’s beautiful new premium Italian restaurant and bar lounge.”
