An iconic Fife restaurant has undergone a subtle rebrand as a new owner takes the reins.
The Seafood Restaurant in St Andrews has begun trading as the Italian-themed Seafood Ristorante following a buy-out by entrepreneur Stefano Pieraccini.
The 22-year-old market and commercial management graduate will be mentored in the new venture by his restaurateur father Adrian Pieraccini, the former owner of the town’s Rocca eatery.
The new owners are investing a six-figure sum in the business – which sits on a clifftop site just yards from the first tee of the Old Course – and almost doubling the number of covers to 80.
The existing workforce has been kept on and the team is expected to increase to 30 as the new concept beds in.
“I am spending over £100,000 in re-branding, refurbishment and expansion and expect to attract a wider range of customers to sample our fresh, locally-sourced seafood cuisine,” Stefano said..
“I have been born and brought up in a family whose entire focus has been on the restaurant trade and from the time I worked in the catering industry as a kitchen porter at the age of 14 I have dreamed of running my own restaurant.
“I consider myself very lucky to be in charge of a restaurant in such a spectacular location.”
Tim Butler, who has owned the Seafood Restaurant since 2003 and is selling-up to focus his attention on expanding further his £1m turnover St Andrews Brewing Company business, wished the new owner well.
He said: “I was the same age as Stefano when I opened my first restaurant and I recognise his enthusiasm to build on what has been achieved so far and to take his Seafood Ristorante to new heights.”
