DRG, the company that operates the Di Maggio’s brand, has announced plans for a £2m luxury restaurant and bar development on St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.

Restaurateurs Tony Conetta and Mario Gizzi aim to create a 200 cover contemporary restaurant and two bars.

Set within the grade A listed Edinburgh Grand (the former RBS headquarters), the 9,500 sq ft development is part of The Registers, the premium development by Chris Stewart Group.

The new operation will be housed within the double height former banking hall and will showcase the history of the building.

Art Deco and new design

The hope is to combine luxury design with the original neoclassical and Art Deco features.

Tony Conetta, MD of DRG, Scotland’s largest independent restaurant group, commented: ‘This is an incredibly exciting project for us, in both an iconic building and location.

‘The Edinburgh Grand’s banking hall is rich in history, both for the capital and Scotland as a whole. By carefully retaining and restoring the many original features we will bring this heritage to life.

‘Our luxury restaurant and bar offering will have a Scottish influence at its heart and will make a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s vibrant food and drink scene.’

Experience

The family-owned DRG has plenty of experience in not only operating very successful restaurants but also in breathing new life into old buildings.

DRG already runs the Di Maggio’s, Café Andaluz, Amarone, Barolo and Cadiz brands.

With The Anchorline and Atlantic Brasserie on Glasgow’s St Vincent Place, they also revitalised the former ticket office of the Anchor Shipping Line.

DRG works are due to start at The Registers in October 2017.

Big Deals

If you can’t wait until then, we would suggest you check into The Anchorline to get an idea of what DRG can do with a building’s heritage.

Book in through 5pm Dining and you can have three courses from the set menu at £19.95.

Alternatively, head down the stairs to Atlantic Brasserie where we have a Big Deal offering a rotisserie chicken, three sides and a grand sharing dessert for £22.