Italy has a special place in the hearts (and bellies) of many across our nation, so when a new restaurant delving out dishes native to the country appears, it's only natural to make a beeline for a booking. This Italian chef doesn’t do things by halves either and his latest opening, Gino D'Acampo Leeds on Boar Lane, is no exception. Centrally located and part of the Marriott Hotel, this spot has a real buzz about it already - especially since the Newcastle and Liverpool venues have proved popular too. But, what did I think of the food? Stick around to find out.

The space is all kinds of pretty inside Gino D'Acampo Leeds Marriot.

Grand high ceilings, a stunning marble bar and elegant interiors made for a positive first impression. The restaurant had a contagious atmosphere and thanks to the help of attentive Italian waiters, my friend and I already knew we’d be in for a treat. Starting us off was a refreshing bottle of Gavi Di Gavi (£39.75) with Cortese grapes giving stone fruit and pear flavours, alongside the pane della casa (£6) house bread platter. It set expectations pretty high if warm focaccia, cherry tomatoes, pecorino and a moreish pesto dip are your vibe.

I’ll be honest, it took us a little while to decide on what to order next. The offering is extensive, with the added passion and personality of Gino D’Acampo himself, who shaped the menu based on his own home traditions. Eventually we went for a couple of starters to share: arancine ai funghi (£10) and calamari fritti (£11). I’ve been let down by arancini in the past, but delicious, cheese-pull mozzarella and mushroom surrounded by a crisp coating impressed me here. The red pepper sauce was a sweet and complementary accompaniment too. Equally, the calamari was expertly battered and fresh, with a generous portion of aioli for all the double dipping. 

Slurpable linguine is in store here.

A couple of glasses of wine down, we were in the mood for seafood. I picked the linguine all’aragosta (£32), which is a slight jump compared to other Gino D'Acampo Leeds menu prices for pasta (but for good reason). The chef certainly didn’t skimp on the lobster, so I gobbled meaty chunks of the soft stuff alongside cherry tomato, white wine, garlic and parsley. The sauce had a slight kick and real depth, while the half shell on the side added to the whole luxurious effect. I felt pretty smug about my choice, especially when it was doused in parmesan.

My friend's main was linguine ai frutti di mare (£21), which was spicier than the lobster dish and nailed that fishier flavour too. Again, the portion was generous and there was a wealth of the seafood variety to match, with wild red prawns, mussels, clams and calamari all in one. A word of warning though; watch your white tops - pasta splash is real.

Gawp at that ooze when you dine at Gino D'Acampo Leeds city centre.

After such an indulgent feast, we were almost too full for dessert. But if you take one thing from my experience, it should be this: save room for the tortino al cioccolato (£8.75). Hands down, it's the most incredible chocolate fondant I’ve ever had and there were nods of agreement from across the table too. Devilishly rich and dark, boasting the most melt-in-the-mouth, gooey centre that's too good to share, this pud was scooped up with thick, creamy vanilla ice cream. A solid finish. 

The DesignMyNight Digest 

Thanks to such a varied menu, the Gino D'Acampo Leeds restaurant is a place where you could just as easily grab a light lunch mid-shopping trip or wash huge meals down with wine and cocktails. It’s the perfect balance between a higher-end experience and relaxed, intimate dining - certainly raising the bar for chain celeb restaurants. I’ll be back for sure. Ciao.

Sign up to our future newsletter to have the latest news and reviews land in your inbox.