Sugo Pasta has announced plans to open a takeaway sandwich shop and deli, just six months after launching its acclaimed restaurant in Altrincham.
The pasta kitchen concept, which specialises in Southern Italian cuisine, has proved a hit with customers since being opened by Alex De Martiis, Jonny Marcolgiese and Alex’s brother Michael De Martiis last July.
It is now renovating the unit next-but-one to its Shaw’s Road home in order to open the new outlet – which will offer authentic Italian ‘panino’ sandwiches and coffee – in March.
“The thinking behind it is very simple, just like the restaurant,” said Michael De Martiis. “We’ll do two or three great paninos a day – it’ll be like a big great sandwich, with special meats and cheeses.”
There will also be a shop element selling pasta, Italian groceries, a handpicked selection of wine and “other stuff you can’t normally get on the high street”.
The new opening will have the added benefit of freeing up some more table space in Sugo Pasta Kitchen, which has been such a success since opening that it is rated the best restaurant in Altrincham by Tripadvisor reviewers.
“We’re really happy with the response and the feedback,” added De Martiis. “We have some really loyal customers who appreciate what we are doing and the effort we are putting in.
“Most Italian products in the UK have been sanitised for the English market, so it’s nice to see people appreciating the difference.”
He said that Sugo would be looking to grow further in the future but that they were not looking to be the next Carluccio’s.
“The long term goal as far as Altrincham is concerned is to build a ‘Little Italy’ in the town – there’s a lot of scope to have more concepts revolving around Italian products in Altrincham. I’m sure people would embrace it.”
An extensive fit-out is currently taking place at the new unit, which will have the same grey branding with ‘Sugo Shop’ wording.
