Italian restaurateurs unveil plans for a third venue
A new Italian restaurant and café will be opening at The Loom in Leigh, Greater Manchester, subject to COVID-19 restrictions, in June, creating 15 jobs.
Don Alberto’s @ The Loom will occupy the former Frankie and Benny’s unit, offering more than 120 seats for both indoor and outdoor dining, as part of an investment worth almost £100,000 by Cheshire-based team Alberto Halluni and Salfatori Suad.
The restaurant will be the third Italian venue for the duo who already run Don Alberto in Holmes Chapel and Il Padrino in Middlewich.
They say Don Alberto is widely regarded as one of the finest Italian restaurants in the region and was awarded Cheshire Life magazine’s Restaurant of the Year 2020.
Alberto Halluni said: “The Loom is a great mixed-use development and offers us the chance to establish a restaurant in an already very popular location.
“The building is a fantastic size and its outdoor space really sold it to us, particularly in the current climate, as it will hopefully enable us to continue trading through the ups and downs of COVID-19.”
He added: “The existing retail mix at The Loom also means we can realise the dream of opening a full Italian ristorante and café here, with a menu that will evolve throughout the day to meet the changing clientele.
“We hope to welcome early morning shoppers and parents with young children for coffee and cakes in the morning. At lunchtime we will offer a choice of quick bites and traditional Italian main meals and, in the evenings, we will deliver the full Italian experience that we have built our reputation on – warm hospitality, authentic dishes and an extensive wine list.”
Salvatori Suad, left, and Alberto Halluni
A contemporary Italian-inspired fit out is under way on the 4,135 sq ft venue, with the works expected to be completed over the coming weeks.
Mr Halluni added: “The size of this restaurant means we can offer a greater choice of speciality dishes and introduce some less well-known Italian delicacies to our guests. Popular favourites such as pizzas and fresh pastas will, of course, be on the menu, but we will also encourage visitors to try exciting Italian dishes that they may not have heard of.”
He said their home made desserts will also change daily, with something to suit every palette, from Tiramisu to Pistachio Cheesecake.
Live entertainment is also planned for the new venue, when COVID restrictions allow.
