Situated on Liverpool's Love Lane, Chin-Zano is a modern Italian restaurant founded by chef Livia Alarcon - one of Liverpool’s finest. Livia is known for her entrepreneurial eye, culinary talent, and innate drive, having previously appeared on BBC’s The Chefs’ Brigade and played a key role in the development of Middle Eastern restaurant group Maray. Chin-Zano marks her first solo restaurant, which specialises in classic Italian techniques and quality British produce.
Housed in an industrial-style, domed-ceilinged space, the restaurant has a cool, buzzy and welcoming atmosphere. At the back of the dining room sits an open kitchen, offering guests the chance to be a part of the action, while a bar area runs the length of the room.
The food is led by produce rather than tradition, with sustainably sourced seafood, seasonal vegetables and native-breed meats guiding what’s on the menu. Fire also plays a big role - the chefs use an open-flame barbecue to bring a deep, smoky, charred flavour to their dishes.
A concise lunchtime menu offers a choice of two or three courses, with dishes such as fried olives and basil mayo, air cured beef bresaola, and Tuscan bolognese. Dinner is a curation of seasonal dishes, spanning primi, secondi, pizzettes and contorni. Fan favourites include pork chop with cafe de Paris butter, chicken milanese with caesar dressing, and brown crab taglioni. The easy-going, familiar feel of the menu encourages a casual, sharing-style approach - perfect for date nights, birthday celebrations and catch-ups with friends.
To drink, sip from an impressive wine list with bottles sourced from all over the Mediterranean. The restaurant also hosts occasional supper clubs, inviting industry peers to collaborate in the space.
Whether you’re desperate to sample Livia Alarcon’s cooking, or hunting for a new neighbourhood joint, Chin-Zano is the sort of place you’ll keep coming back to.