Tinder- inspired restaurant bids to bring romance to city
ANEW rest au r a nt inspired by a popular dating app has opened in the city’s Southside with its owners determined to bring a little romance back to the way we dine.
The aptly named Romeo & Juliet restaurant in Cathcart welcomed its first customers in December last year in a whirlwind of rose petals, photo opportunities and pasta dishes.
It’s the first time that owners Lukasz Dziczek and Nikola Wroblewska, who run a thriving sign design business in the city, have ventured into the world of hospitality with the pair wasting no time in jumping in at the deep end.
Nikola said: “It was a lot of pressure to get ready for our opening date, but we had an amazing team to help us.
“I think in the end we did it all in around two weeks.
Lukasz continued: “We had the option to open in the city centre, but it was important to have somewhere snug and cosy with the right atmosphere.
“We didn’t want it to be a place that customers rush in and out of all day.
“It’s not quite perfect yet, but it’s pretty close.”
It’s hard to imagine the scene that lies ahead as you step from the street level of Clarkston Road to the restaurant below, but once past the threshold, it’s clear that the team have gone all out to bring their vision of a lover’s paradise to life.
From the letters to Juliet which customers have pinned to hallway walls to a charming feature that allows couples to attach a lock with their initials to a leafy art feature, the eatery is a dream date night location with a generous side serving of kitsch.
Aside from the chance to create some seriously Instagram- worthy interiors, however, the duo explains there’s a much deeper meaning to their chosen theme.
Lukasz said: “We were looking to create an experience that is totally different and new and started to think about how these days everyone is on Tinder.
“It feels like everyone who is dating has been pushed onto social media or apps and no- one is meeting in person anymore.
“Even after matching they sit at home and text each other.
“What we really want to do is have somewhere where spending quality time together is the most important thing, although we’ve really tried to focus on our menu as well.”
A quick glance over the menu with options including ‘ Long Italian Sausage with Roast Peppers’ or ‘ Late Night Latte’ brings a welcome sense of fun to a visit, showing again that its creators know how to ham up the quirkiness of the spot without relying on the gimmick.
Lukasz explained: “When we decided that romance would be the theme for the restaurant, Italian seemed like the perfect choice.
“There’s no other cuisine that’s more romantic than Italian.
“We make everything in- house and want to show that we’re a really great place to eat as well as offering a fun atmosphere.
“But we have chosen some spicy names for our dishes to keep up the fun. We like to push that.”
Cheeky dishes and love heartheavy decor aside, Lukasz and Nikola are eager to share that the invitation to Romeo and Juliet’s is extended to all, offering a warm welcome that centres on the simple joy of celebrating good food and good company.
“We’re really focusing on encouraging people to get, put their phones away and enjoy spending quality time together rather than catering to couples.
“We want people to feel like they could take their friends and family here too and still have a great time.
“We are going to host speed dating events, but as well as that we’ll do the same thing for people who are looking to make friends.
“We just want people to have some fun and enjoy themselves. We’re really excited for the feedback.”
Romeo & Juliet is located at 5 Clarkston Road.