Every season in Italy has its own delights when it comes to dining. Autumn is, however, perhaps one of the country’s finest, with an abundance of beautiful ingredients harvested from September onwards.
From the north to the south, leading Italian chef, Gino D’Acampo, has travelled the country’s many regions to source the finest Italian and British produce, with olives, wild mushrooms, pumpkin, mussels and wild boar just some of the incredible ingredients taking pride of place on his new seasonal menu.
Available at his restaurant on Boar Lane now, it’s bursting with hearty real Italian dishes, perfectly suited to cooler temperatures and long indulgent evenings as the nights draw in.
Leading the list of new seasonal dishes and a favourite throughout Italy is Ribollita (£9.95), a traditional Tuscan and vegetable bean soup that’s full of flavour. Served with toasted ciabatta it makes for a comforting starter, or for those short on time, a quick indulgent bite of its own.
Whilst available all year-round, there’s no better time to introduce mussels to the menu than in autumn / winter when the shellfish is in its peak season and a higher meat content can be enjoyed. Guests can savour them in all their glory at the leading Italian chef’s Leeds restaurant with Gino’s Cozze Con Crema E Vino Blanco (£13.50) – mussels cooked in white wine, garlic and cream. Served with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, it’s a standout dish and wonderful enjoyed with a crisp glass of white wine.
Returning to the menu for 2024 and celebrating autumn’s woodland flavours is the restaurant’s rich and warming Risotto Al Funghi (£17.50). Combining risotto mantecato with wild mushrooms, caramelised garlic, and extra virgin olive oil, it’s a luxurious, comforting dish that’s back by popular demand.
For a dish that’s equally satisfying and rich in flavour, the Ravioli Di Zucca E Ricotta (£17) makes for a good alternative. Hailing from the Lombardy region of Italy, it’s an Italian classic and sees roasted muscat pumpkin and ricotta ravioli combined with fried sage leaves, crushed hazelnuts, pecorino, and black pepper.
Adding to the list of new pasta dishes to be enjoyed at Gino D’Acampo Leeds and harnessing two of the season’s finest ingredients is the Italian chef’s Fettucine Al Cinghiale (£19.95), a slow cooked wild boar ragù with pancetta, red wine, San Marzano tomatoes and pecorino Romano; and Linguine Alle Vongole (£19.75), a dish originating from Southern Italy and combining sweet palourde clams with white wine, garlic, baby plum tomatoes and Calabrian chilli flakes.
Further seasonal highlights include the warming Brasato Di Manzo Al Vino Rosso (£21.50), slow cooked beef in red wine with garlic and thyme, and served with freshly baked, toasted ciabatta; and the restaurant’s Saltimbocca Di Pollo (£25.50), pan-fried chicken escalopes with crispy Parma ham, sage, Marsala wine and lemon.
Not to be left out, also enjoying an autumn / winter update is Gino’s selection of real Neapolitan pizzas. Freshly made the traditional Italian way, choose from the Napoletana (£16.25), pizza bianca topped with Italian sausage, friarielli broccoli, mozzarella and Calabrian chilli flakes for a seasonal bite with a little heat, or the Capricciosa (£17), a classic and satisfying option topped with Italian ham, San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, chestnut mushrooms, and sweet Leccino olives.
An important part of any Italian dining occasion, wrap your meal on a sweet note with one of Gino’s delicious desserts. New for autumn / winter 2024 the leading Italian chef’s Panna Cotta (£9.75) is to be experienced featuring Italian cream with Baileys liqueur, espresso caramel, and crushed amaretti. Or for the ultimate indulgence, why not opt for the restaurant’s Piatto Di Dolci (£9.50pp) and enjoy a taste of three exquisite dishes including chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake with Ferrero Rocher, Tiramisú, and Panna Cotta with Baileys liqueur.
The new seasonal dishes join the restaurant’s extensive selection of signature plates with vegetarian, gluten intolerance, vegan and bambino menus, catering for all tastes.
For guests looking to enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink, or simply raise a glass with family and friends, the bar lounge at Gino D’Acampo Leeds is the perfect location, serving world-class cocktails.
Here the atmosphere evolves with the day, with the chic venue’s resident DJ playing the best beats into the early hours on a Friday and Saturday night. Visit between 5pm and 7pm, aperitivo time, and guests can enjoy complimentary cicchetti to accompany their drinks.
For further information or to make a reservation, guests are invited to get in touch on 0113 468 0804. Alternatively book online at www.ginorestaurants.com or email leeds@ginorestaurants.com.
