Leeds restaurateurs to open Milan eaterie
One of the area's most successful restaurant brands is looking to expand a little further afield – by opening a franchise in Milan.
The ristoratores of Northern Italy could soon be facing competition from Zouk, the family-led 'tea bar and grill' that has garnered awards and rave reviews since it opened in October 2006.
Brothers Tayub and Mudassar Bashir will jet over to Milan as part of 'Leeds in Milan', a marketing and business invasion led by Marketing Leeds.
As banners and posters promoting Leeds flutter from lampposts in the city's squares, the brothers will be sounding out potential business partners, and searching for their perfect location.
"Milan is the home of cafe culture," explained Tayub.
"We're looking to give it a twist.
"We'd look at incorporating Italian influences," added Tayub, whose original team in Bradford includes a French pastry chef.
"Indian food in Britain has been adapted to the native palate – it's the same with any ethnic food that travels elsewhere."
If the effort to find a site and partners is successful, one of the brothers will have to go over and supervise the operation.
However, they haven't decided which one yet.
"We'll probably toss a coin," said Tayub.
One other thing that needs to be checked is how the name will translate.
Zouk means 'vibrant' in Urdu; is similar to souk – Arabic for 'market' or 'bazar'; and denotes a French/African style of music, but the brothers have yet to check on any Italian meaning.
The Milan project is part of ambitious expansion plans that will see a Zouk opened in Manchester in November, and an extension to the original premises that is still in planning stages. But the plans don't stop there.
"In five years time we see ourselves as a real international brand, with restaurants in London, Milan and Dubai," said Tayub. "But we'll still based in Yorkshire."
Posted: Friday, October 10, 2008
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