A businessman will next month make a passionate appeal to councillors in a bid to save his plan to create Dundee’s finest restaurant.
Glasgow-based Cosmo Molinaro is due to appear before the city’s licensing board on February 19 in an attempt to persuade them to back his vision.
He says has already invested more than £1 million to convert a B-listed former jute mansion on the Perth Road into a destination venue to rival anything in Glasgow’s Merchant City.
And he hopes his Caird Restaurant concept – a “high end” Mediterranean eatery on the upper floor and a cocktail bar on the lower level will attract the visitors who descend upon the V&A.
If that is to succeed, however, he must first overturn the decision taken by councillors in January to deny the venture an alcohol licence.
Board members cited overprovision of “on sales” in the city centre, claiming they feared Dundee would end up with “just another pub”.
That decision left Mr Molinaro frustrated and desperately disappointed but he has now gathered himself to launch a renewed bid for backing.
His agent, Janet Hood, said the fresh application will stress the venue’s emphasis on food and its function as a high-quality restaurant.
“We will try to demonstrate that it is more food-led than alcohol-led which of course this development is,” she said.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson is among those behind the proposal, having previously described the board’s decision as “unfortunate”.
He hopes members will think again and believes residents are also in favour of the restaurant.
Mr Macpherson said: “I am certainly hoping that the licensing board will view this application favourably.
“I have felt throughout that this is a very high quality application and exactly the sort of facility that the city needs more of, especially as we look to complement the developing Waterfront and the V&A.
“This is the sort of venue that will really put the city on the map and would be a fantastic addition.
“I have seen the revised plans and the applicant has clearly tried to address the issues raised at the last meeting of the board.”