Zest Delicatessen and Cafe Bar, Lytham St Annes

With one busy restaurant already under his belt in prosperous Lytham St Annes, Italian born and bred Orlando Perecca wanted a second venue.

His initial ideas were thwarted by the local authority and certain conditions appeared too restrictive to make the project viable. Then he was introduced to us by a fellow restaurateur in the hope that we could find a way through the maze of regulations.

We agreed that Zest should create an Italian ambience to attract as wide a market as possible. We’d do this by combining a delicatessen with a café bar. The delicatessen would stock meats, preserves, wines and oils, all sourced from Italy and these products would be used in the café bar. Zest would open early to serve coffee and croissants to commuters. It would continue to serve coffee, together with pastries and snacks all day. Lunchtime would attract a takeaway trade by selling gourmet handmade sandwiches and salads. Then at night, the display cabinets would move aside so Zest could become a restaurant and bar.

Orlando’s local authority approved this scheme and in Summer 2002 work began. The striking daytime interior is based around a stainless steel and olive wood bar and counter in the shape of a swan's neck. An inlaid top of verde bahia granite finishes this area. Behind the bar are refrigerated cupboards for easy-to-access storage. The delicatessen area has olive wood shelves, and uses glass and wall hung display cases to show off the produce. A sensational mosaic wall provides a stunning focus.

Zest opened its doors in August 2002, bringing a wonderful flavour of Italy to Lytham St Annes.

In Spring 2004, Orlando added a 10 flavour ice cream display cabinet at the front window. RSS designed and employed a local shopfitter to alter the shop frontage so that ice creams can be served directly to the public through an open window. Although Orlando’s not making his own ice cream yet, he is buying it locally from Huntleys of Samlesbury – another RSS customer!