BIRMINGHAM based Italian restaurant chain San Carlo is continuing its expansion with the opening of a new cafe-style eatery in Manchester. If the concept succeeds will be rolled out into other locations.
Called San Carlo Cicchetti, the new bar and tapas-style restaurant will open next month on the ground floor in House of Fraser’s refurbished Kendals department store, which is opposite its current location on King Street West.
The new concept takes its name from the small plate dishes typically served in cicchetti bars in Venice.
When it opens Cicchetti will accommodate 100 diners. It will have its own dedicated entrance on King Street West, allowing it to open from 8am until 11pm Monday to Saturday. It will open on Sundays too, but opening hours have not been finalised.
Customers will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner, or just an afternoon snack. Freshly-made bread and cakes will be provided by an in-house bakery.
The investment in the second Manchester outlet – the group’s seventh in total – comes amid booming trade. San Carlo serves close to 3,700 diners a week in Manchester alone, with many celebrities and sports stars among its regular patrons.
Carlo Di Stefano, owner of the San Carlo group said: “We’re excited to be opening Cicchetti, we’ve taken our time to ensure we’re offering something different and desirable, while retaining San Carlo’s ethos – good, authentic food, made on the premises from the freshest ingredients. We can’t wait to see people enjoying it.”
Situated on the ground floor, Cicchetti forms the centrepiece of Kendals beauty and accessories department. The store has undergone a refurbishment which comes during its 175th year of trading.
Store manager Steve Clarke, said:”“It’s fantastic that in our 175th year we can join forces with such a highly acclaimed restaurant offering a unique dining experience and point of difference in Manchester.
“We are excited to be embarking on this new business venture together.”
