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. As with any quality hotel, the happiness of the inner man is a prime concern, and the award winning Filini restaurant at the Radisson Blu Liverpool offers Italian cuisine of a high order, blending together both Italian and local produce to create a greatly enjoyed and respected dining experience.

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

The restaurant has 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 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.

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 prosciutto di Parma with Tuscan garlic bread, or shrimp salad with baby gem, rocket, lemon and oregano dressing.

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 tagliatelle with pesto. Roast chicken breast is served with mushrooms and basil, whilst the grilled sea bass with spinach and pine kernels is another classic that seafood lovers will applaud.

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, mozzarella, pecorino, prosciutto and rocket. 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 toasted almond semifreddo compete alongside chocolate fondant with pistachio ice cream, the inevitably wonderful gelato 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. In possibly more than any other country, careful selection through their, shall we say, simpler wines produces real gems, with a notable example being the Vin Santo del Chianti Serelle dessert wine from Tuscany. Their well set out Website will tell you more about the menus and other events that constantly grace the Radisson Blu.