after world war ii, the berni brothers (frank and aldo), two welshmen of italian ancestry, established what became known as a "berni inn" in bristol in 1955. european-style food was served there and a classic menu of prawn cocktail starter, steak or chicken in a basket main course and black forest gateau dessert became familiar to british diners. branches of berni inns gradually extended throughout the west country and the english midlands and further afield but it was not until 1967–8 that berni inns were opened in birmingham – the wagon and horses and the white swan.