Monday, July 21, 2023
Sopranos expands in Aberdeen
An Aberdeen hotelier has bolstered the regeneration of the city's Guild Street area by opening an upmarket European-style wine bar and bistro, with the creation of 15 jobs.
Sopranos Wine Bar and Bistro forms part of the Soprano St Magnus Court Hotel, which is also undergoing continued refurbishment, including a new bedroom wing.
The hotel, bar and bistro are situated on a prime site at 20-22 Guild Street, opposite the major new Union Square development that is currently under construction and due to open late next year.
Jonathan Day, owner and Managing Director of Sopranos, scoured the UK to find a hotel suitable for conversion and has invested £650,000 in redeveloping the hotel and restaurant.
He believes the new bistro fills a gap in the local market for a bar offering quality wines by the glass, premium spirits and informal tapas as well as Mediterranean-inspired lunches and dinners.
Among the waiting, bar and kitchen staff he has recruited is head chef Steve Ross, who previously worked at Soul Bar and Casino.
Mr Day said: "We have been very busy since we opened last month, which is a clear signal that the overhaul of the train and bus stations and harbour area is well on its way. We are in a fantastic location in an area that is attracting new investors.
"I firmly believe that the concept of Sopranos is attractive to both local people and visitors who are looking for a social meeting place where they can enjoy quality informal food and talk and relax in a smart and safe environment.
"What we are doing is different to other bars in Aberdeen and there are no other sizable wine bars quite like ours. We spent a considerable amount of time formulating the design and ideas for Sopranos and the end result is influenced by Florence, Sienna and Paris, creating a new European look previously not seen in Aberdeen."
Mr Day is keen to differentiate Sopranos from its competitors.
"We are not looking to compete with pubs offering televised sports, and our drinks offer is centred around a large choice of competitively priced wines, premium lagers and spirits. I think it's also important to do something a little different to the other licensed premises in the area and I think this type of restaurant and bar will make a major contribution to redefining the Guild Street area," he said.
As well as a wide selection of wines by the glass, Sopranos offers a selection of cheese and meat tapas platters, while the bistro area serves premium quality pasta, grills and fish dishes.
Key features of the bar design include a contemporary ornate zinc bar counter with an overhead wine glass holder, Roman mosaic wall and hand crafted oak tables, while the colour scheme is a sophisticated collection of muted browns, creams, olives and golds.
The current redevelopment work in the hotel is due to be completed in August, creating an additional five bedrooms, two new meeting rooms and private dining areas.
Earlier work included the creation of a number of executive bedrooms and bathrooms and the complete replacement of windows and doors, as well as a new reception and lobby with Tuscan stone floor.
In his hotel career and prior to setting up Soprano Hotels, Jonathan Day was resident manager of the award winning Cameron House Hotel and Country Estate on Loch Lomond.
Before moving to Aberdeen, he was Director of Business Development, Operations and Sales and Marketing for the Trust that ran the city of Sheffield's sports, leisure and cultural activities.
He was responsible for some of the UK's leading facilities, including Sheffield Arena, Sheffield City Hall, The National Ice Centre and the English Institute of Sport.
Sopranos Wine Bar and Bistro forms part of the Soprano St Magnus Court Hotel, which is also undergoing continued refurbishment, including a new bedroom wing.
The hotel, bar and bistro are situated on a prime site at 20-22 Guild Street, opposite the major new Union Square development that is currently under construction and due to open late next year.
Jonathan Day, owner and Managing Director of Sopranos, scoured the UK to find a hotel suitable for conversion and has invested £650,000 in redeveloping the hotel and restaurant.
He believes the new bistro fills a gap in the local market for a bar offering quality wines by the glass, premium spirits and informal tapas as well as Mediterranean-inspired lunches and dinners.
Among the waiting, bar and kitchen staff he has recruited is head chef Steve Ross, who previously worked at Soul Bar and Casino.
Mr Day said: "We have been very busy since we opened last month, which is a clear signal that the overhaul of the train and bus stations and harbour area is well on its way. We are in a fantastic location in an area that is attracting new investors.
"I firmly believe that the concept of Sopranos is attractive to both local people and visitors who are looking for a social meeting place where they can enjoy quality informal food and talk and relax in a smart and safe environment.
"What we are doing is different to other bars in Aberdeen and there are no other sizable wine bars quite like ours. We spent a considerable amount of time formulating the design and ideas for Sopranos and the end result is influenced by Florence, Sienna and Paris, creating a new European look previously not seen in Aberdeen."
Mr Day is keen to differentiate Sopranos from its competitors.
"We are not looking to compete with pubs offering televised sports, and our drinks offer is centred around a large choice of competitively priced wines, premium lagers and spirits. I think it's also important to do something a little different to the other licensed premises in the area and I think this type of restaurant and bar will make a major contribution to redefining the Guild Street area," he said.
As well as a wide selection of wines by the glass, Sopranos offers a selection of cheese and meat tapas platters, while the bistro area serves premium quality pasta, grills and fish dishes.
Key features of the bar design include a contemporary ornate zinc bar counter with an overhead wine glass holder, Roman mosaic wall and hand crafted oak tables, while the colour scheme is a sophisticated collection of muted browns, creams, olives and golds.
The current redevelopment work in the hotel is due to be completed in August, creating an additional five bedrooms, two new meeting rooms and private dining areas.
Earlier work included the creation of a number of executive bedrooms and bathrooms and the complete replacement of windows and doors, as well as a new reception and lobby with Tuscan stone floor.
In his hotel career and prior to setting up Soprano Hotels, Jonathan Day was resident manager of the award winning Cameron House Hotel and Country Estate on Loch Lomond.
Before moving to Aberdeen, he was Director of Business Development, Operations and Sales and Marketing for the Trust that ran the city of Sheffield's sports, leisure and cultural activities.
He was responsible for some of the UK's leading facilities, including Sheffield Arena, Sheffield City Hall, The National Ice Centre and the English Institute of Sport.
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