Latest news with #RomanoPerella
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Exciting Italian restaurant to take over Glasgow unit
Malocchio is preparing to open in the old Mediterraneo site on Ingram Street. The eatery's name is the deeply ingrained Southern Italian superstition around the evil eye and its logo is Il Corno, a horn believed to deflect the negative intentions of others and bring positivity, love and good living. Romano Perella(Image: Supplied)Owner Romano Perella said: 'This is really exciting for us. Malocchio is the first concept I've personally created from scratch, which has helped shape the positive feeling around it all. 'For us, Malocchio is all about positivity, about negativity bouncing off the shield of good vibes so none of the bad stuff in life gets to you. 'I want it to be a sanctuary, an escape from your daily life and problems, from the world and the negative energy – inside it's all smiles and that sigh of truly relaxing for whatever time you can take." Malocchio will serve small plates, aimed at three dishes per person with house-made, fresh pasta in the spotlight. Planned interior (Image: Supplied) READ NEXT: Popular Italian restaurant announces closure - here's what's next Romano continued: 'The food is at the very heart of it all so that's the key – everything freshly made on site and totally looking to that rich culture and tradition I grew up with for inspiration. 'I'm not reinventing the wheel – this restaurant is showcasing the amazing heritage Italy has given me, using all I have learned to create something genuinely new and different. 'It's grown from family and tradition but presented in a modern way that's still respectful to the old ideas. 'Ultimately, this is a very modern take on Italian cuisine, which isn't available in Glasgow at the moment. 'That's what the name and the concept are about – and it doesn't matter if you believe in superstition or not, you will believe in our food." The restaurant is scheduled to open late August. (Image: Supplied) The owner added: "I'm excited to show people what we are building in terms of the room itself, transforming the former Mediterraneo completely. You won't believe it's the same place. 'But also what we are building as a concept with a real social feel, a relaxed, modern dining experience with superb cocktails, wines and of course a style of food that you just can't get in the city at the moment. 'I hope Glasgow loves Malocchio – it's very special to me and I want it to be a real experience, something people look forward to as a break from real life.'
Glasgow Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Popular Italian restaurant announces closure - here's what's next
Mediterraneo, in Merchant City, will shut on Monday, May 19. But, another Glasgow favourite, Amore, is set to take over the venue following a four-month refurbishment. Romano Perella, the owner of Amore, bought Mediterraneo last year with the intention of changing it up. Now, he is thrilled to have the chance to create a sister restaurant for the beloved Italian spot. The 30-year-old said: 'It's going to be a completely new concept, I think we can say it is still the very best of Italian food, of course, as that's our key area of expertise. 'We are closing on Monday and we expect the work to take around four months, so we should be opening just after the summer. 'It will look completely different – we have a very strong idea of the concept and how it looks and feels. 'We took Mediterraneo on with an idea of what we wanted to do already - the full concept wasn't set in stone then but we have put a lot of time and energy into it. 'The core idea of what I wanted to create was there but we are now working out the last fine details and it's coming together. 'I think there's a good opportunity and I think people are wanting something new. 'The new idea is very much for people who know food, but will be welcoming to all - we're very excited to bring something totally new to the city.' (Image: Sourced) (Image: Sourced) READ NEXT: New 'iconic' store to open in Glasgow's St Enoch Centre He said the team is fortunate to be a Glasgow favourite and they appreciate all the customers. Once the new spot is open, people will be able to switch between the two restaurants if they don't want to wait too long. He added: 'Of course, there is much, much more to our plans than a second Amore just down the street. 'It's something way, way beyond that. For once, I feel this is a closure story, which is actually a positive thing for the city and for the food scene here. 'Mediterraneo had its time – the new concept we are creating is the future of dining in Glasgow.'
