The DRG (Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group) has unveiled a brand new Paesano Pizza restaurant in the South Side of Glasgow, at 1038-1040 Pollokshaws Road. The new venue occupies the former Di Maggio’s Shawlands site, a much-loved local institution that first opened its doors in 1985.
Director of DRG, Mario Gizzi, told DRAM, ““Opening in Shawlands has been something special. The space suits the Paesano brand perfectly, and it’s been incredible to see so many familiar faces come through the doors, giving the old Di Maggio’s spot a whole new chapter.”
The restaurant sits in a classic red sandstone tenement corner building and tall windows span the front framed in a sleek grey. Minimalist branding is used on the windows where bold gold lettering reads ‘PAESANO PIZZA’ on the glass. Above this the façade has been stripped back to reveal weathered historic signage giving a nod to the locations history and a real sense of character.
The design of the new Paesano’s balances industrial minimalism with warm, rustic touches. The designers have kept the original exposed brickwork and paired it with herringbone parquet flooring and polished concrete floors that lend the space a moody, contemporary charm. The generous use of warm-toned timber softens the industrial base.
One of the most eye-catching features is the open kitchen with a huge wood fired pizza oven which is set against white-tiled walls. This theatrical open setup, central to Paesano’s appeal, which celebrates pizza craftsmanship.
The dining area itself is spacious and cleverly zoned. Large wooden communal tables with bench seating creates a casual, sociable dining experience, while there are more intimate booths near the windows. There is also burgundy ribbed leather banquettes which run the length of the wall which has been installed by industry experts, LECS Upholstery.
This has been paired with dark bentwood chairs and wood-topped tables. Narrow angled mirrors above the banquette seating creates a sense of expanded space and allow diners to catch movement in the room.
Vertical wood panelling has also been used and has been painted in white to create a distressed look.
There is additional seating areas towards the front of the restaurant where tall chairs are positioned at sleek white and grey marble counters which allows customers a view of the world going by.
The floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light during the day, while in the evening, soft lighting and natural materials combine to create a cozy yet stylish ambiance.
The focal point of the space has to be the oversized brightly lit ‘PAESANO’ sign, constructed in vintage marquee lettering with warm filament bulbs. It acts as a bold, theatrical centrepiece which brings both energy and strong brand identity into the space. Wall-mounted tubular lights flank the sign, reinforcing the industrial feel. In fact, each of the various striking industrial-style pendant lights – fitted with exposed Edison bulbs – adds a warm, sculptural glow to the space, making them as much a design feature as a source of light.
Each decorative detail of the venue has been thoughtfully considered, and the Paesano branding is prominent everywhere – from the signature yellow Paesano-branded tin for holding cutlery to the shelving on the side wall which is neatly stacked with additional yellow tins.
This is a great example of playful product-as-decor styling. By revitalising a historic site and giving it a distinctive new identity, DRG has reinforced Paesano’s reputation as one of Glasgow’s most beloved casual dining brands.
And if Shawlands is any indication, the future looks very bright and certainly very tasty!