Grappa set to put Sheffield on national stage with upmarket Italian hospitality
Published On Saturday 9 Sep 2023 by Sticky Beak
See Recent News Articles
One of the region’s most successful restaurateurs is bringing “the most ambitious concept of my career” to the West Street area of the city centre.
The two-storey Grappa venue - which is set to open in the former Sinclairs building on Glossop Road in late autumn - is promising to set the standard for quality Italian bar/dining in the Sheffield area.
No one knows the West Street area better than the venue’s founder, Steve Zsirai. He landed his first restaurant management job at K-Pasa way back in the late 1990s. He previously worked at the legendary Flying Pizza and was the brains behind the Tequila Bar, which continues to draw crowds on West Street week after week.
But success didn't stop there. Far from it. One of his most popular ventures was Viva Tequila in the Gleadless area of Sheffield – the restaurant was one of the most popular eateries in the region during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He has also run one of Chesterfield’s highest rated Italians, Giorgio’s, for the past 10 years.
Steve Zsirai said: “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 30-plus years in the trade it’s the importance of providing customers with that ‘holiday feeling’ and a sense of escapism. I always treat my staff like my extended family – and I believe that same feeling should be passed onto our customers..”
The two-story Grappa, complete with its outdoor terraza, is set to offer a true authentic Italian experience in the heart of Sheffield.
Central to the DNA of Grappa will be the legendary Italian liqueur of the same name. The Sheffield venue already has direct links with the Italian home of the drink – in fact, the country's oldest and most renowned distillery supplied Steve Zsirai with his very first bottles.
However, the venue is going far further with its namesake. It's aiming to become the UK’s official capital of grappa. No Italian venue will celebrate the liqueur better than Grappa.
Steve Zsirai said: “We’ll have more varieties and more opportunities to celebrate my home nation's official liqueur than anywhere else in the UK.”
Steve Zsirai was weened on the flavours and culture of Campania – the Italian region his mother grew up in. Authentic flavours and dishes from right across Italy will dominate the Grappa menu.
Grappa is set to offer the very finest daytime coffee and lunch; after work drinks and dinner at Codice Sconto Foodexplore and late night music and dancing until 2am at the weekend.
A welcoming, rustic downstairs bar area will be complemented by a more luxurious upstairs, 80-seater restaurant. A breath-taking mirrored staircase will connect the two areas.
Grappa is set to open at 266 Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2HS.
More information from: www.grappasheffield.com
| Culinary Favourite Announces New Name, Refurbishment and Relaunch Event Giorgio’s, a much-loved Chesterfield restaurant, is stepping into a new chapter with a refreshed look, rebrand, and relaunch celebration as il Forno. Read The Article | |
| The Countdown to a Culinary Extravaganza at Thoresby Park this September With less than four weeks to go before Thoresby Park opens its gates for another helping of the Festival of Food and Drink, it's time to grab your tickets Read The Article | |
| Pride Park restaurant named naan-stop busiest matchday spot for Rams fans A Pride Park restaurant has been crowned one of the busiest pre-match hotspots for Derby County fans, thanks to its prime location, outdoor space Read The Article | |
| Longbow Venues Will March 29km Across The Peak District To Raise Thousands For Children's Hospital On Tuesday 2 September, a dedicated team of 27 staff from Longbow Venues will set off on a 29-kilometre charity walk across Read The Article | |
| Farm-to-Fork Excellence Derbyshire's Walton Lodge Farm Achieves Red Tractor Certification Walton Lodge Farm Estate, the 360-acre working farm and historic 18th century family home of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel owner Read The Article | |
| Hart's Kitchen Welcomes a New Chapter in Dining with a Refreshed A La Carte Menu August 2025 - Hart's Hotel & Kitchen is delighted to introduce its new A la carte menu, crafted to celebrate the vibrant flavours of the season and the bounty Read The Article | |
| Popular fish and chip restaurant Darcy's opens on Sunday - and kids eat free! Derby's newest and largest fish and chip restaurant and takeaway is serving up great news - it's now open on Sundays when kids can eat for free. Read The Article | |
| Sunshine + Sweet Treats = Summer Surge At The Bakewell Tart Shop - Footfall Doubles Following its grand reopening in early July, The Bakewell Tart Shop has experienced a sharp spike in visitors - with warm, sunny weather Read The Article | |
| Double Shortlisting For Longbow Venues In 2025 Enterprising Women Awards Independent Peak District hospitality group Longbow Venues is celebrating a double shortlisting in the prestigious 2025 Enterprising Women Awards, with two Read The Article | |
| Peak Edge Hotel Unveils Immersive Wine Cellar Experience The Red Lion Restaurant at Peak Edge Hotel has unveiled a beautifully designed, temperature-controlled wine cellar - a bespoke feature by Sorrells, the luxury wine cellar Read The Article | |