cicheti
spirited italian in singapore

Establishing a dynamic new restaurant concept in Singapore, co-owners Yew Aun Lim and Liling Ong were embarking into their first F+B establishment. To help bring the concept to fruition, the young entrepreneurial duo brought in multidisciplinary consultancy GEE Global to shape an expressive dining experience.

Cicheti (pronounced “chi-KEH-tee”) is informed by the signature snacks served in Venice’s bàcari, or wine bars. In the Mediterranean convention of Greek methezes or Spanish tapas, these small plates are a Venetian tradition reflecting the mouthwatering diversity of Italy’s foodscape.

From the hand-drawn logo identity depicting a stylized bull with wings – a symbol of the ancient Italic tribes – to the traditionally artisanal wood-oven baked Neapolitan pizzas, hand-crafted one at a time by Chef Aun, originality and variety are celebrated at Cicheti. Taking cues from the language and gastronomy of Italy, GEE Global collaborated with Cicheti’s owners in creating a spirited design that integrates these playfully-layered references into every element of the restaurant.

SCOPE OF WORK

— Project management
Concept creation
Brand naming
Brand strategy
Marketing budgets + forecasts
Menu development
Pricing strategy
Corporate identity design
— 
Content creation + storytelling
Corporate collateral design
Spatial design + FF&E sourcing
Media relations
Art direction + photoshoots
Web site development
Interactive + social media strategies

Structured as a two-level restaurant and lounge, diners are invited to savor a full range of traditional and original cicheti – from Polpette di Carne (meatballs sautéed in a slow-cooked, homemade tomato sauce) to a Gamberi Grassi in Garlic Butter Saor (spicy fat prawns); and signature main dishes including a Pappardelle Ragu (handmade pasta, fresh pappardelle pasta served al dente with slow-braised lamb shoulder ragout), or a fresh cuippin stew simmered in a savory seafood Cioppino stew –  in a space that caters to all the senses.

Taking Cicheti through GEE Global’s Total Project Lifecycle Management approach – trending, the initial idea, market research + analysis and financial budgeting to integrated interior spatial design, visual brand identities, and media launch; to post-launch marketing strategies and operational refinements – the concept restaurant ended the first financial year at roughly a 3 percent difference from the profit & loss financial model our team forecasted for the venture.

As a result of GEE Global’s signature approach to building sustainable brands, the restaurant has grown to a group of muli-concept Italian restaruants in Singapore.

SELECT MEDIA PLACEMENTS

City Nomads
Epicure
Expat Living
Great New Places
Horizon Hong Kong
I-S Magazine
Prestige Singapore
Sassy Mama
Tatler Singapore
The Finder Singapore
The Jakarta Post
TimeOut Magazine
Weekender Singapore

Cicheti holds a special place in the GEE Global portfolio of client partners as the brand was the: first F+B project in Singapore; first conservation shophouse buildout; and, first in a ever-flourishing concept restaurant group we named, “Cicheti”.

www.cicheti.com