Romano Perella at the Mitchell St site he plans to revive with a new concept
Romano Perella, the man behind Glasgow’s newest Italian restaurant Malocchio, is set to launch two new dining concepts in the city, bringing two empty city centre units back into action.
Perrella launched Malocchio just over a year ago in the Merchant City site that formerly Mediterraneo. Specialising in fresh pasta, unique pizzettes and an innovative small plates fusion of modern and classical Italian dishes, it has since won rave reviews and been a big hit with customers.
Romano Perella (second right) with the Malocchio top team
Perella, who also owns and runs Amore, the NYC-style Italian family spot just along the street from Malocchio, has now snapped up two more ‘significant’ city centre premises.
The units were previously occupied by Sapporo in Merchant City, right by Amore, and Franco Manca in Mitchell Street in the city centre.
Perella isn’t yet sharing what concepts he plans to bring to the new sites, but he reckons that people may be surprised by his ideas again.
He said: “Malocchio has been fantastic and we’re thrilled at the response since we opened, and the ongoing consistent support of what we are doing.
“Amore has more of a traditional feel, it’s the laid-back casual neighbourhood spot for quick bites or family occasions alike.
“While I am not going to reveal the concepts we are planning for the two new sites just yet, I will say they’re not going to be serving pizza,” said Perella.
“We have really exciting ideas and have been looking for the right places to create them.”
He added: “These units are significant ones in the city and I didn’t want to see them lie empty.
“There are too many good sites sitting unused in Glasgow for a variety of reasons and I don’t like to see it – I love this city and want it to thrive.
“There are too many good sites sitting unused in Glasgow”: Romano Perella
“Sure, it is a risk launching a new business and especially something very different – but that’s the case any time. Hopefully others will take a chance rather than let good sites lie empty and rot away.”
Romano will reveal his plans for the first new concept soon – and hopes to actually open the doors before the end of the year.
Work is already underway at the old Franco Manca Mitchell Street site.
“They are both very new, very different ideas and I am keen to get the first one up and running quickly,” he said.
“We’re finalising the broad concept at the moment and as soon as I have it all lined up I’ll announce it, along with the planned opening date. The goal is to open the first site this year – watch this space.”
