Pirata Group: Pirata Group Announces H1 2021 Growth Plans
Hong Kong-based hospitality company to launch five new venues, including new bakery concept and international expansion debut
Hong Kong`s curator of extraordinary, memorable experiences, Pirata Group, will begin 2021 firmly on the growth path with the launch of five new restaurants over the next six months. The launch of new venues follows a historically challenging period for the global restaurant industry, affirming the group`s commitment to Hong Kong and relentless pursuit to deliver unconditional hospitality for a growing community of guests.
The group`s 2021 opening salvo is the second location of temakeria and sake bar concept, TMK, at Wan Chai`s popular Star Street Precinct this February. Titled TMK: Rap & Rolls, this version of the lively and loud Japanese restaurant embraces the golden era of hip hop through iconic imagery of rap`s biggest stars, a huge wall of sound made of vintage boomboxes, newly commissioned artwork from local artists and other eye-catching design elements fitted throughout the 600 sq ft venue.
Featuring a new menu of craft temaki hand rolls and stiff cocktails served across a long communal sake bar, TMK: Rap & Rolls will bring more hip bites to the downtown area. And for lunch, signature temakis will be served in nori bowls for a healthy and satisfying midday meal. Expect a striking mash-up of music, counter-culture and great food & drink that you`ll never want to leave. No reservations; walk-in only.
A brand new development follows in April with the debut of Pane e Latte in Stanley. A concept over 18 months in development, Pane e Latte will `Bake the World a Better Place` as a stylish 4,000 sq ft two-storey beachfront Italian bakery that serves a full range of sweet and savoury artisanal baked goods for breakfast, all-day dining, onsite retail and takeaway. Pane e Latte features an expansive open kitchen, in-house bakery and patisserie, as well as a surprise speakeasy concept to be revealed later. The new venue invites all Hongkongers to celebrate and indulge in an authentic and immersive Italian bakery culture.
In May, Hong Kong`s favourite neighbourhood pasta bar, Pici, rolls out in Kennedy Town. Located on 55 Cadogan Street, the new 1,180 sq ft 50 seater restaurant brings daily handmade fresh pasta and homestyle Italian treats to the denizens of western Hong Kong Island for lunch, dinner, delivery and takeaway. This is the sixth Pici to open following the flagship in Wan Chai and subsequent branches in Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Lai Chi Kok and Sha Tin.
Two other restaurants are slated for H1 2021 openings with the overseas expansion of much-loved brands, Pici and The Pizza Project, with a 1,560 sq ft, 80-seat site to be split and operated separately between the two concepts. The new venues will serve the brands` signature fresh daily handmade pastas and affordable home-style pizzas for brand new diners. This venture marks the first time Pirata Group concepts expands internationally, with more overseas restaurant openings to come in the pipeline.
Speaking on the forthcoming growth of Pici and The Pizza Project, Pirata Group Co-Founder & CEO Manuel Palacio says `My Co-Founder, Christian Talpo, and I have been daydreaming for years about bringing some of our most cherished brands outside of our home Hong Kong market. While the current market conditions are more challenging than ever before, we are extremely confident and excited for the future development of Pici and The Pizza Project and I know our teams will deliver the same level of quality and guest experience that many have come to enjoy again and again in Hong Kong.`
Growth for Pirata Group has been an ongoing process, one that has come on the back of a challenging two-year period for the company involving many starts and stops, with tireless teamwork on new concept development through times of evolving uncertainty. The organization underwent a substantial restructuring of operations, refocusing on the people, while relentlessly innovating its service offering – through creating new dining periods, delivery, and new value propositions for guests – amongst other initiatives to adapt and thrive.
`We believe in Hong Kong and are planning to stay and grow here for the long term,` says Palacio. `Like other operators, the last two years have taught us many tough lessons but thanks to the tremendous effort of all our team members and the improving business environment in Hong Kong, we can once again chart a path for growth.`
Through it all, Pirata Group remains a proud homegrown Hong Kong company, one that is now looking to hire more talent and delight more guests with extraordinary, memorable experiences – now both locally and internationally.
