A lost chain of British steakhouses, known for serving signature prawn cocktails, steaks and Black Forest gateau is where many Merseyside children had their "first grown-up meal."
The Liverpool ECHO recently took a look back at the Berni Inn, a brand which started life in Bristol before expanding its empire to London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Southport, New Brighton and more. The Berni Inn brand started in 1955 after brothers Aldo and Frank Berni were inspired by a chain of restaurants they had seen in America.
Introducing British families to the like of prawn cocktails and steak and chips for the first time, Bern Inns arguably paved the way for the pub-restaurant chains we know so well today. Back before restaurant and café culture was how we know it, it was a real treat to dine out at a Berni Inn and for many Merseyside children, it was their first experience in a steakhouse.
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Readers have since taken to social media to share their memories of the Berni Inn restaurants they visited decades ago. From 1961 to 1966, they are said to have opened an average of one new Berni Inn a month, owning nearly 100 restaurants in the late sixties.
In Merseyside itself, many will remember the likes of the Berni Steak Bar in Sefton House, the River Inn on St George's Road, Pierhead, The Albany on Old Hall Street and the Mersey Tavern on Lord Street. Berni Inns in Southport included the Fox & Goose on Cable Street and Thorps Tavern on Nevill Street and there was also the Queens Royal in New Brighton.
On our website, Hibbo said: "Loved the Berni Inn at the River Room on the Pier Head. My mum and dad took me there for my birthday when I was about eight years old.
"To me it was very grand and beautiful and for it to be placed directly by the river was a bonus. Wish it was still there."
Saxham said: "The family treat was a visit to the Albany one in the basement on Old Hall Street." Jamoe posted: "My wife and I got engaged in the Riverside Berni Inn in 1983, still together today."
And Wirral commented: "Ah yes - the Queens Royal in New Brighton. Many happy memories, when eating at a Berni Inn in the early '70s was the height of sophistication!
"Prawn cocktail, steak and chips then Black Forest gateaux. Mmmm! I can't help thinking that a return to this winning retro formula would work really well, especially if scampi and chicken and chips in a basket are also on the menu."
On Facebook, Bernadette Sefton said: "Loved Berni Inns, especially the River Rooms. Prawn Cocktail to start, steak followed by Black Forest gateau , from the dessert trolley.
"Glass of Blue Nun or Mateus Rose', oh and an a must was Irish coffee to finish. Great times and memories."
Jennifer Mahoney said: "Had my first cocktail in there - a Jelly Bean." Patricia Cheers said: "Berni Inns, loved Black Forest gateau, it was yummy Irish coffee and never had a tough steak."
Jennie Tracz posted: "I loved Berni Inns. Miss them so much." Barbara A Barry wrote: "My first grown-up meal out."
Lorraine Venables said: "Mum and Dad used to take us there as a treat. Remember it well. Such happy memories." Amanda Smith posted: "My first dinner date with my husband 1974. Prawn Cocktail, Steak, Black Forest Gateau."
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Carole Harwood Dunn wrote: "Loved that one at the pier head! Always went in there after our Christmas shopping trip and had a meal before going home . Always prawn cocktail and then steak, followed by black forest gateau!" Eddie James Hayes posted: "Spent a fortune in the Berni Inns in the 70s and loved every minute of it!"
Paul Lind commented: "The Berni Inn, first restaurant I was taken to by my mum. God I thought it was the most luxurious place I'd ever been." Lisa Lucia Sharps commented: "Absolutely loved going here with Mum and Dad. Prawn cocktail, steak (the chips and mushrooms were always beautiful!) and the obligatory Black Forest Gateau! All while watching the boats sailing across the Mersey. Lovely memories!"
Jacqui Eyres said: "I had my 21st meal in there before heading into town." Lesley Falshaw said: "Apart from the food which was great loved a schooner of sherry the views across the Mersey were spectacular."
Janine Garvey commented: "Prawn cocktail in a tall glass bowl, followed by garlic chicken Kiev whilst watching the boats then the dessert trolley would come along!" Maxine Clayton said: "Remember going as a kid probably once as it was a massive treat to eat out then!"
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Lyn Phillips wrote: "Got taken there for a birthday treat as a kid. Ordered steak Dianne. First time I'd had steak in a restaurant." Jayne Andrews posted: "Berni Inn. Had loads of meals at this place. It was at the Pier head and had a commissioner at the door to welcome you."
James Mcgrath said: "I had many a birthday party here. As a kid I loved the Tom and Jerry ice cream - Tom was glass filled with vanilla with a blue coloured scoop on top with with Smarties for the eyes and wafer for the ears. Jerry was a scoop of chocolate ice cream on a biscuit with Smarties for eyes and wafer for ears with a wafer stick for the tail, you got both together."
Many will remember visiting a number of the Merseyside Berni Inns to celebrate a special occasion or enjoy some of their staple menu items. But over the decades, the Berni Inns became a chapter of the past.
The brothers sold the chain to Grand Metropolitan for £14.5 million in 1970. By the mid 1990s, the chain was sold to Whitbread who later converted the outlets into their own Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants.
The latest series of Memory Lane is in major retailers including Asda, Tesco, Home Bargains and selected newsagents now. This series of the bumper picture special looks at fun in the sun - with stunning photographs and treasured memories of family holidays from years gone by. You can also buy Memory Lane online here.
Aldo Berni died in 1997 at the age of 88 and Frank died in 2000 at the age of 96. As for Marco, the legacy of his popular Italian restaurant in Bristol continues.
It may have changed its name along the way, but there has been a restaurant on the steps between Baldwin Street and St Nicholas Market since 1951, which makes it the longest-running in Bristol, Bristol Live previously reported. It was originally called Marco’s - a reference to owner Marco Berni of the legendary Bristol restaurateur family.
Did you ever visit a Berni Inn in Merseyside? Let us know in the comments section
But the name above the door now refers to Giuseppe Calcagno, a former Marco’s waiter who bought the business in 1994 and changed the name 22 years ago. With its dark wood panelling and deep red furnishings, Giuseppe’s On the Steps has a timeless look not dissimilar to those Berni Inns of the 1980s.
The Berni Inn brand is still remembered today and has paved the way for the next generation of restaurants. In 2017, the Huffington Post reported how Tom Kerridge’ Michelin-starred pub is inspired by the retro restaurant chain.
The Huffington Post, at the time, said: "Tom, 44, has fond memories of his childhood trips to his local Berni Inn. He reflects with Paul Ainsworth, who owns the Michelin-starred ‘Paul Ainsworth at Number 6’ in Padstow, about when his mum, who was a single parent, used to take him there and he’d have half a roast chicken with peas.
"They would only visit around twice a year, but these meals clearly left an impression on Tom, who insists that his award-winning pub is a “modern day, more refined” version of Berni Inn."
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