Filini Bar and Restaurant - Liverpool

Radisson Hotels can be found the world over, and whilst the degree of universal quality that they offer is reassuring, there is always that frisson of pleasure that comes with discovering their diversity in ways both great and small.

The Liverpool Radisson enjoys the advantage of its location in an established maritime city of great charm and distinction in both its people, its very individual culture, and its structure. The Mersey River has lent its name to a great deal more than just The Beatles.

The hotel is ultra modern, the décor hosting colours that though assertive are not strident, and has 194 bedrooms including Business Class, Junior Suites and the sensational River suite. Guestrooms, which are individually designed in two unique styles, Ocean and Urban, provide more than enough choices to keep everybody happy. Free Broadband, including wireless Internet access is available in all guestrooms and public areas.

As with any great hotel the happiness of the inner man is a prime concern, and the award winning Filini restaurant offers Italian cuisine of a high order, blending together both Italian and local produce to create a greatly enjoyed and respected dining experience. The restaurant has recently undergone a complete refit, with red vintage leather seating comfortably alongside draping red curtains and chandeliers that reflect the sparkle of the conversation beneath.

The menu opens with a convivium collection of sharing platters, amongst which the cured meats and cheese antipasti is invariably popular. More individual antipasti dishes include chargrilled asparagus with poached egg and Pantelleria capers, or roast red peppers with anchovy, capers and olive oil.

Risotto can be ordered as a starter or main dish, and many a good night here has revolved round the wonderful blend of flavours that are drummed up by spaghetti with crab meat and light Soave cream sauce. Grilled sirloin of veal is served with green beans, Pancetta and tomato sauce, whilst vegetarians with exult in stuffed Portabella mushrooms with eggplant, olives, tomato and mozzarella cheese.

No Italian menu would be complete without a range of pizzas. As befits a restaurant of quality these are the thin crust variety, and include tomato sauce, shrimp, mozzarella, oregano and roasted garlic. Italians are so adept at making the best out of vegetables, and here we have garlic mashed potatoes with Parmesan cheese, green vegetables with lemon, as well as the traditional tomato and red onion salad.

Desserts of cherries in grappa with pistachio ice cream and biscoti compete alongside panettone bread and butter pudding, the inevitably wonderful ice cream selection of any good Italian restaurant, and a selection of ripe Neapolitan cheese.

It is not until one sees an exclusively Italian wine list that the full splendour of Italian wine really manifests itself. Possibly more than any other country, careful selection through their, shall we say, humbler wines produces real gems, and if challenged I would cite Vin Santo del Chianti Serelle from Tuscany as a notable example.

Their well set out Website will tell you more, and be assured as Liverpool moves towards its turn as Year of Culture, Radisson SAS will be at the forefront of events.