A lot of people have made films about cooking and kitchens, but not many have made one as enthralling as Philip Barantini. The director of the thrilling one-take film Boiling Point depicted a particularly tough day in a top professional kitchen, drawing on his own experience working as a chef for several years alongside acting. Now firmly behind the camera, Barantini is premiering his new TV series, Netflix’s Adolescence (out 13th March). With each episode shot in one take, it takes on another heart-pounding situation as a teenage boy is arrested for the murder of a classmate.
Adolescence stars and is co-written by Barantini’s long-time friend Stephen Graham, and the creative duo are also united by being proud Liverpudlians. A city with a history of great culture and with an untiring spirit, Liverpool is a place all travellers should seek to visit. We had a chat with Philip Barantini about what Liverpool means to him, things to do in the city and where to find the best food.
Do you have a favourite restaurant in Liverpool?
Over the last couple of years there’s been some new ones popping up and I’ve not had the chance to go to them. I’ve been to NORD, which is amazing! Absolutely stunning. Fantastic menu there. I think my favourite, because it’s a bit of an institution in Liverpool, is The Art School. Paul Askew is a bit of a legend among the chef world, especially in Liverpool anyway. Certainly when I was cheffing, he was someone I always looked up to. And The Art School is somewhere I’ve been to a few times and it always just hits the mark. It’s top-quality ingredients, simply executed, but stunning flavours.
The Art School is a culinary institution in Liverpool. © Bacon On The Beech
Tell us a bit more about what you loved at NORD.
We had a tasting menu there; I actually went there with Stephen Graham. Again, just really clean, very bold choices in terms of what’s put with what. I don’t drink alcohol any more – I’ve been sober for 10 years – but there’s a really good non-alcoholic cocktail menu if I remember rightly. It’s very different in style from The Art School, but both of them are amazing. Liverpool’s become a real hub now for food, I think. Over the last few years there’s been so many amazing places popping up.
Philip Barantini visited NORD with Stephen Graham, the star of his new show 'Adolescence'. © Ben Pickles
What do you miss most when you’re not in Liverpool?
The people. Obviously, my family; I’m a real homebird. There’s nothing quite like the Scouse warmth, and you’re sort of drawn to that. But also I just love the city. When I was a kid, my grandad – who’s no longer with us – used to take me every Saturday into town and we’d walk around and go to all the museums. And at the time when I was a kid I’d be like: ‘Oh grandad, really?’ He’d be one of these people who would literally spend about 30 minutes on each artefact and really read it all and really explain it all. But you know what? Now I’m so grateful to have done that because I do have a real appreciation for the history of the city. I love all that side of it if I’m honest.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral is the more modern build of the city's two cathedrals. © Ray Orton/iStock
Having worked in kitchens and on film sets, you’re no stranger to high-pressure environments. How do you unwind after work when you’re in Liverpool?
Look, I am someone who just likes to go home and just relax. I like to have my own time as well. But there are certain places I would go just to walk, like round Sefton Park, which is just the most beautiful park – a nice place to get away and just be on your own. Or go and watch a film, go to FACT. FACT is an amazing place for the arts.Or go for a walk down the Albert Dock. When I was filming The Responder, they put me up for some reason, and I was staying in the docks and after a day’s work you’d have a walk around and be by the sea. It’s not really the sea, but it feels like it is!
The Royal Albert Dock is a hub of Liverpool's culture. © SakhanPhotography/iStock
If you had one day to show someone around Liverpool, where would you take them?
Again, let’s go for a walk around the docks. There’s so much history there and it’s just so beautiful. I’d probably grab a pastry from Rough Hand Made, which is an independent bakery there. There’s so many independent shops and cafés and bars there now. Maybe have a drink at The One O’Clock Gun – I don’t drink alcohol but it’s still a great place. Then I’d say let’s go visit some cathedrals. We’ve got two cathedrals in Liverpool, one Protestant and one Catholic; I’d say let’s have a walk around both of them, walk around the Georgian Quarter perhaps, and then finish off in the Philharmonic Dining Rooms pub opposite the Philharmonic Hall – which is famous for its toilets. Now if you’ve never been there before, you’ve got to go to see these toilets – they’re just incredible. It’s a weird thing to go and visit, but honestly, you won’t be disappointed.And obviously the museums as well. The Maritime Museum, which is just on the docks, which has got all of Liverpool’s history in there from the slave trade to The Beatles; anything that’s ever taken place in Liverpool is in this museum. Also, The Beatles Story Museum is fantastic if you’re a fan of The Beatles. [The Maritime Museum is currently closed for renovations and will reopen in 2028.]
The Philharmonic Dining Rooms pub is located opposite the Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool. © PurpleImages/iStock
What’s your favourite area of Liverpool?
I was brought up in Huyton and so I’m always drawn to go back there because all my family are still there and I’ve got lots of friends that are still there – it’s part of my heart. But I do love Lark Lane, again near Sefton Park. I think it’s got a really vibrant vibe; there are some great cafés, great bars, great restaurants around there. It’s a really vibrant place to be. And also Baltic Market is great for grabbing a bite of food. One place in particular is La Bistroteca, which is run by a friend of mine Liv [Livia Alarcon] who is just the most amazing chef. She was on Great British Menu recently actually.Was it nice working with Stephen Graham again, especially with you both being Liverpool locals?
We’ve known each other for over 20 years. We met on Band of Brothers, both as actors, and we’ve stayed in touch ever since. And it’s just like working with your mate, or your brother even – I would call him a brother, to be honest. We just have this shorthand together: he trusts me, I trust him. He’s the most amazing, passionate collaborator that I’ve ever worked with to be honest with you. He’s so smart and it was a joy to be back on set with him for the fourth time I think it is, as a director-actor combo.Netflix’s Adolescence, starring Stephen Graham and Ashley Walters, is available to stream from 13th March 2025.
Address Book
Baltic Market, Liverpool, L8 5REFACT Liverpool, 88 Wood St, Liverpool, L1 4DQ
Lark Lane, Liverpool
Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, St James’ Mount, Liverpool, L1 7AZ
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Cathedral House, Mount Pleasant, Liverpool, L3 5TQ
Maritime Museum, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AQ
Philharmonic Dining Rooms, 36 Hope St, Liverpool, L1 9BX
Philharmonic Hall, Hope St, Liverpool, L1 9BP
Rough Hand Made, Britannia Pavilion, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AD
Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AD
Sefton Park, Liverpool, L17
The Beatles Story Museum, Britannia Vaults, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AD
The One O’Clock Gun, Unit 3a, Britannia Pavilion, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AD
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Hero Image: Philip Barantini and the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool. © Alex Fountain & George Standen/iStock
