The man behind one of Weston-super-Mare’s most popular restaurants has opened a new eatery, offering flavours from the Mediterranean.
Leorando Gallion, owner of highly-rated Il Michelangelo, in Knightstone Road, has unveiled new restaurant Mediterranevm in Congresbury this week.
Mediterranevm, in Weston Road, welcomed its first customers on Friday, and demand for its European and North African dishes, including tapas and meze, is already high.
The building was occupied by Greek eatery Sousta, and has since undergone a year-long makeover, complete with Pompeii-inspired mural which covers a whole wall, mosaics and a wine cellar which will host tasting events.
Mr Gallion said: “I wanted to offer the local community a culinary experience to transport them to the Mediterranean, and the location struck me as a perfect place, right in the countryside and close to Bristol and Weston, while also being part of a real village community.
“I’m delighted to be opening in such a beautiful building and location and hope it will be a restaurant the community can be proud of.”
The interior of the building is product of designer and artist Geoff Tristram, who was challenged to channel the ‘warm atmosphere of the Mediterranean’ to make a restaurant fit for the North Somerset countryside, including a terrace for summer dining.
At a VIP launch evening on March 15, Mr Gallion told the Mercury he is delighted with feedback he has received on the restaurant and its varied menu – which offers something different to Weston restaurant.
He added: “The difference between this new restaurant and Michelengelo is that Michelengelo is authentic Italian and Mediterranevm will serve food from all over that part of the world including Spain, North Africa, France, and Greece, as well as Italy and with different herbs which we will grow in our garden and add our own flavour.
“Every month we will host wine-tasting nights where we will take guests into the room to sample wine sourced ourselves from countries like South Africa, Italy and France, not bought from supermarkets.
“Bookings are going very well; we were fully-booked for our opening weekend.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here