Glasgow restaurant Sarti celebrates 30 years in business - and reveal their story

A lot has changed since then and having been with the team almost every step of the way, Director and Executive Chef Michele Arrighi knows this better than most.

Pictured: Michele Arrighi and second chef David Tsiklauri

He said: “I could never have imagined 22 years ago when I started as a part-time pizza chef that all these later I would be sitting here talking about 30 years of Sarti’s.

“It’s been entertaining, challenging and fulfilling all at once and it all feels very personal to me.

“My grandmother used to work at Fazzi's [a Cambridge Street restaurant that would become a springboard for the Sarti brand], and I used to go and sit there as a wee boy.

“Now my children do the same thing and come in to watch me work.

“It’s very emotional to see their little eyes looking up at me the way I looked at her.

“I think that gives a good sense of what we’re all about.”

Pictured: Michele with sister Lidia Arrighi who is head chef at Sarti Wellington Street

Despite having started his journey as a chef, Michele later became part of a group of Directors that took over the business from the Sarti brothers and Gerry O'Donnell in 2008.

Pictured: Sarti Directors Patricia Diamond, Michele Arrighi, Renato Cimmino and Daniela Sarti Clelland

During his time, the 39-year-old says there has been no tougher challenge than surviving the lockdowns and harsh restrictions imposed on the hospitality industry during the pandemic.

He said: “Believe it or not we do just take things one day at a time, especially after everything that’s gone on in the world over the last few years.

"We used to have three restaurants and it was very hard for us to lose Renfield Street restaurant around that time.

"But, there were still two other locations and we had to keep doing what we were doing.

“A lot of the staff from that restaurant fit right into Bath Street or Wellington Street and took to it like ducks to water.

“There have been good times and bad times but after everything, we’re still standing.”

This close bond shared amongst colleagues is a recurring theme as Michele tells of how Sarti has managed to stand such an impressive test of time.

Pictured: Michele started his journey as a part time pizza chef

He said: “It’s very hard for me to try and explain just how special coming into work feels.

“It really is a big family.

“I say that because just like a family we love to fight sometimes too, but by the next morning, we’ll be come back in and make friends again as we sit down for coffee.

“That whole ethos is what Sarti has always been about.

“You’re never alone and there’s always someone to help you out in whatever way you need.”

As regular visitors will know well, this family atmosphere extends far beyond those on the restaurant payroll.

Whether stopping by for a quick espresso on Wellington Street or indulging in a glass of red wine and fresh pasta in the warm glow of Bath Street, it’s the people who enjoy the magic of dining at Sarti’s that have seen it flourish.

Pictured: David Cameron, Assistant Manager at Sarti Wellington Street

Michele: “Without our customers, we simply would not be here today.

“They’re the backbone of our business and have supported us through thick and thin.

“We’ve watched people come in for years who now have their own kids or even grandkids coming in for their first Sarti experience.

“They’re not just customers.

"They’re part of the family too.”

As the team and their beloved customers look forward to a well-deserved party to mark 30 years at the top of their game Michele ends our discussion with a moment of reflection.

Pictured: Team Sarti outside the Wellington Street restaurant

He said: “We were a very young management team when we took the business over and now, we’ve actually run the place for far longer than the Sarti brothers first did.

“I never thought I would have anything like this.

“It’s been my absolute pride and joy, to be honest with you and I’m so proud of every single one of the staff.

“Long may it last…here’s to the next 30 years.”

For more information on Sarti click here.