Lunya founders are to launch Lunyalita to meet with rise in demand

Lunya, the Liverpool-based, family-owned Catalunyan bar and deli is launching a ‘baby’ sister site in the city’s Albert Dock this summer ahead of a possible expansion plan.

Owners Peter and Elaine Kinsella will open Lunyalita opposite the city's famous Arena, and next door to the Beatles attraction.

It will be the couple’s third site, and comes to meet with customer demand following a 25% increase in sales. Lunya's founders hope to attract the tourist trade, whilst making the brand attractive to investors.

The ground floor of Lunyalita will comprise a café, bar and deli, with an open kitchen and informal café style seating for the daytime trade.

The deli offering will be much smaller than Lunya, and will be carefully chosen to target the area’s customer clientele.

Upstairs will be more formal restaurant seating and a 50-cover private dining and meeting space.

A breakfast menu will include Catalan-inspired breakfasts alongside light options such as smashed avocado, roasted tomatoes and white asparagus; and porridge with orange blossom honey. Slightly more indulgent dishes are also available, including pancakes with chorizo, hazelnuts and chestnut honey.

Lunchtime dishes include sandwiches; salad bowls; a daily large dish such as paella or Catalan Scouse; patatas bravas with toppings of chorizo, roast vegetables, and pancetta with eggs; and deli sharing platters.

The evening menu comprises a selection of tapas dishes including roast asparagus with Romesco sauce; escalivada (roasted peppers with aubergine and spices); morcilla wrapped in cornflakes with pomegranate molasses; smoked sardines with quail eggs and pine nuts; oxtail and horseradish croquetas; and Iberico pork with apple allioli.

Daily changing specials will reflect the daily market deliveries.  

“We're big fans of Albert Dock and love the plans for the area which will establish it as a high-end retail and dining destination,” says Peter Kinsella.  

“We've played an important part in helping to do this in Liverpool One and believe we can be an equally important partner in doing the same at Albert Dock.”

The Kinsellas believe there is potential elsewhere in the UK for more Lunyas and Lunyalitas, and that the new format at Albert Dock will make them “more investor friendly” for when they decide to either expand further, or “hang up the apron strings”.  

Lunya is the UK’s largest online Spanish food and drink supplier.