Di Maggio’s celebrates it’s 40th anniversary this year and as a first step in refreshing the brand they have invested £1 million in their East Kilbride restaurant. This is the first major refurbishment of Di Maggio’s East Kilbride since the 220-seater, purpose-built venue opened in 1994 and what a refurbishment it is! The first thing that you notice when you approach the car park is the new mural which spans the side of the entire restaurant and has been created by Glasgow graffiti artist Rogue One.
During this refurbishment Di Maggio’s have introduced a new internal brand called Churissimo, which offers a specialist gelateria and churro bar. The churros are produced onsite, and chefs have even been sent to Spain for specialist training. This bar is the first thing you see when you enter, and what a sight it is!
The large oblong bar has the appearance of an internal ice cream parlour. It is smartly branded from above and each section is sign posted from ‘Freshly Made Churros’ to ‘Sundaes and Milkshakes’. Bevelled cream tiles, wood panelling and chequered red and cream metro tiles give way to the most amazing polished brass gantry that curves seamlessly around the entire bar. It truly is a sweet lovers paradise!
The same colours are used throughout the entire restaurant with vanilla cream, peach and the trademark Di Maggio’s red creating a real brightness and freshness to the venue. Think raspberry ripple ice cream!
The entire design has been modelled on Italian heritage, with nods to the brand’s Italian-American roots. It has a real retro feel, almost like you are dining in a bygone era.
Jelena Kerr, Lead Interior Designer for DRG comments, “With the addition of Churissimo we now have that real wow factor upon entering, but it’s still everything you would expect from a Di Maggio’s with great pasta and pizza. We are known for being a family friendly destination and the interior had to reflect that. I didn’t want to make it too contemporary looking so there are nods to 70s nostalgia in the finishes such as the bold patterns and retro style wallpaper. We also wanted it to be fun and exciting.”
The interior is vibrant and happy with lots of great patterns creating interest everywhere you look. For example, the floor at the front is tiled in cream and peach with flecks of colour through it which almost look like hundreds and thousands on an ice cream. A similar pattern has been used on the material that backs some of the wooden seating. Fixed seating is also abundant with varying fluted leather booths in red, tan, deep green and mustard yellow.
On the upper level a jazzy patterned carpet displays waves of cream, brown, red and green. All the walls are lined with wonderful artwork inspired by vintage Italian ice cream posters which have been lit with picture lights.
There is great selection of bespoke lighting which are all made from large glass orbs surrounded by differing metal work in bright red. The large chandelier style light in the middle of the restaurant is particularly breathtaking.
Mirrors have been used throughout the venue to transform the space and catch the reflection of all the lighting and finishes. This gives it a real depth of character.
They venue is certainly family friendly, and many will be pleased to hear they have kept their famous soft play areas, both inside and outside! There is even a dedicated dining area right across from the soft play that can offer a semi-private area for children’s birthday parties!
Tony Conetta, co-owner of DRG and son of Di Maggio’s co-founder Joe Conetta, says, “We’ve been serving the community of East Kilbride for more than 30 years and this is a huge moment in our history in the town. A tremendous amount of love and care has gone into the refurbishment, and we’re sure the introduction of EK’s first authentic churro bar will go down a treat.
“We love being a part of East Kilbride, we’ve welcomed thousands of families through our doors, and we look forward to thousands more. It’s also about playing a part in bringing new people to the town, and we hope the new-look Di Maggio’s East Kilbride and Churissimo will achieve that for the next 30 years.”
