1 day Ago
Allesandro (Sandro) Strillozi, 30, and his partner Vicky Pearce, 30, are returning to Lyme Regis to begin their very own culinary journey from the venue that was once owned by his father, Antonio. Mr Strillozi explained that it has always been his dream to own his own restaurant, and now this dream has become a reality as Sandro’s will open in Drakes Way on Wednesday, April 16. Vicky and Sandro (Image: Sandro's) He said: “I was looking for a little project for me and my partner for a while and then this place came up.
It used to be my dad’s restaurant (The Italian place) when I was a kid, so it felt like it was meant to be." The chef described his style of cooking as ‘classic,’ with it being a blend of French, Asian, and British, as well as Italian – as his father’s side of the family is Italian. For the past three years, Mr Strillozi has been the head chef of the Walnut Tree in Wales.
He said: “I ended up in Wales for 10 years and did some travelling in between with my partner which influenced the cuisine a bit.” The pair met when they were both at school aged 15 through mutual friends and have been together ever since and now have a young daughter. Mr Strillozi added: “We are moving back for the restaurant, all of our family are here too, and we have a young daughter so it’s a lot easier to have family around.
“It will just be the two of us working there to begin with, but we have family in the industry who will be on hand to help out.” Sandro's (Image: Sandro's) The restaurant can seat around 16 people, with space for up to 12 people outside, with the chef describing it as ‘a really good sun trap.’ Cooking is well and truly in the family as Mr Strillozi’s father is a chef and his grandmother was a cook.
He joked: “We call it the family curse.” He added: “My inspiration has come both from my Italian nonna and my father. They gave me an instinctive feel for the flavours of Tuscan cuisine, such as wild fennel, beautiful extra virgin olive oil, game, fish and Chianti.
“My partner Vicky is my rock! She's had a wide experience working front of house including the Walnut Tree. She runs things to the standards usually reserved for unsmiling Frenchmen in starched dinner jackets, but also offers a warm and relaxed welcome".
