Before we begin this, I too had read a few reviews of Gino’s before I visited and winced a little. They all talked about ego, about how much his image was on the walls, about how it’s a less a restaurant, more a fan club.
And there is a little of that here. The restaurant is busy, no doubt at all that on a weekend they are busy enough to talk about expanding the bar space to fit waiting diners. Yes there is a whole lot of ego going on. But I wasn’t here to review the whole dining experience. Maybe I will in the future.
This visit is a little different. So stick with me.
Just about everyone I know is aware of Gino D’Acampo. Some love him, some don’t. But most of us can all appreciate a little TV cookery – sitting at home in our PJs, bowl of pasta and pesto on our knee, watching a TV chef trundle around the world, making beautiful dishes that we critique from the safety of our sofas, or watch avidly keen to have a go at that recipe ourselves.
My Restaurant takes that experience a little further.
Gino’s Italian Escape is the latest cookery series to air on Monday’s at 8pm. That day of the week we dread, often end up working late and hit the gym after work to try and undo some of the damage that we inflicted on ourselves over the weekend, before heading home and eyeing the fridge somewhat balefully as we realise that we ate all the good stuff over the weekend and we might have to make do with something on toast as we didn’t have time to hit the shop on the way home.
What if I told you, you could pop by My Restaurant (post gym visit or not, up to you) and sit and drink Prosecco, whilst watching the latest episode of Gino’s series, and enjoying food in the restaurant, without paying a penny?
That is exactly what you can do. And exactly what I did last night. Perched comfortably at the bar, nibbling on cicchetti, sipping fizz, myself and my date settled in to watch the episode.
We of course, used the ad breaks (and as the nibbles and fizz start at 7pm, the hour beforehand) to wander around and have a look, this being our first visit.
The decor, even the colour is all as you’d expect from the Individual Restaurants group. It’s clean, it’s even got the same blue as you’d find in a Piccolino or two.
And yes, Gino’s stamp is everywhere. His image is on the walls where the show is projected, photographed with every one of his celebrity friends and acquaintances. Even downstairs on the way to the loos (don’t worry, he’s not in there too, that would be weird) his face and that of everyone from Cilla Black to his Celebrity Juice co-stars adorns a series of four picture frames.
So yeah, it’s a little heavy on the Gino.
Food wise – what we sampled was lovely – no more or less than we’d expect (I’ve dined in a Piccolino’s or two) and generous in portions – as with the Prosecco too. Everyone there enjoyed fed tummies and full glasses.
But what made it for me, were the staff.
It could be so easy to be overwhelmed be the, er, Gino in the venue, that it could feel overwhelming. But everyone from the AGM to chef was approachable, chatty, relaxed, a little self deprecating, and keen to ensure that everyone enjoyed the experience. They were, to put it bluntly, bloody lovely.
So – whether you fancy a little Prosecco and cicchetti with your telly, have a family member who adores Gino and is desperate to visit, or just want to head in out of curiosity.
Don’t be so afraid.
It’s really not that bad.
