History Renfield St.
Eight years ago Fratelli Sarti acquired the recently closed branch of the Abbey National Blg Society.
The building dates back to 1870 and was designed by the architect William Leiper with sculptures from Willliam Birnie Rhind. The exterior of the building has a typical Victorian façade with the emblems of the Sun, Life and Fire ins of Canada for whom the building was built, the interior is a French Art Nouveau design with an abundance of Carrara marble and fine carved wood.
In the year 2000 when Sarti took possession of the building, much of the interior was damaged or hidden by layers of soot and grime gathered over many coal fire burning years, the cornicing in many of the rooms were damaged by ugly bank style polystyrene ceilings and a mosaic floor had to be replaced with marble, due to its irreparable condition.
After much time and money the restaurant was completed, having also gained the satisfaction of restoring a great old Glasgow building we opened it as a Sarti but with a different feel, five large oversized Murano chandeliers glisten above your head and the tables in both rooms are made
from solid Sicilian marble, the menu is still the Sarti favourite but with added creations from Michele the head chef.