An Italian restaurant in Oxford is celebrating its 30th birthday.
Gino's Italian restaurant opened in Gloucester Green in 1994 and in 2000 it was taken over by Liberato and Marco Maioriello.
The brothers brought a taste of Salerno to the city centre, and are planning a big party to celebrate on June 2.
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While Marco is the chef, Liberato runs front of house.
"We have lots of regular customers, including students and local residents.
"Once they have eaten here they keep coming back for the authentic Italian cooking and fresh ingredients - we have a five-star food hygiene rating."
Liberato said over the years the restaurant has managed to cope with the competition from chain restaurants in the city.
"We do our job and we are confident in what we do," he said.
"When Jamie's Italian opened in George Street in 2008 we had to work hard to keep our customers.
"Luckily they tried Jamie's and returned to us saying they would not go there again - they appreciate the fact that we are from Salerno."
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Oxford University students who dine at Gino's when they are undergraduates later return with their parents.
"I am in the restaurant five days a week - I recognise students when they come back and tell them I recognise them," added Liberato.
"Gino's is part of the community of the city centre."
Each year the brothers return to Salerno in southern Italy where their mother works as a chef.
The anniversary is an opportunity for Liberato and his brother to reflect on the origins of the restaurant, which has about 45 covers inside and 20 outside.
Ciro Vece, also from the province of Salerno, opened Gino’s spaghetti house in 1994, and the brothers then took over from him in 2000.
The food is made fresh every day, and there is an extensive menu of delicious classic Italian dishes at competitive prices.
These include the pasta dishes lasagne al forno (£13.70), tagliatelle bolognese (£13.70), penne all' arrabbiata £13.80), spaghetti carbonara £14.45) and spaghetti alla pescatora £15.35).
The pizza margherita costs £11.70 while a calzone - folded pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham and mushrooms - costs £13.50.
Risotto al funghi porcini - porcini mushroom, cream and tomato risotto - costs £13.85, and grilled steak served with salad or chips is also an option, costing £19.50.
You could also try pollo Milanese - chicken breast in breadcrumbs served with spaghetti bolognese (£16.90).
Gino's is open Monday to Saturday, from noon to 9.15pm, and is closed
on Sundays.
The lunch set menu of pasta or pizza + drink costs £12.99+12% service, and is available Monday to Friday 12:30 to 5pm
For more visit ginos-oxford.com
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