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A change of direction for popular restauranteur
04/11/2021
Being creative will remain an integral part of the new career for Ilja Abbattista
One of Banbury’s most popular restauranteurs has decided the time is right for a change of direction and has sold her eatery.
Ilja Abbattista has provided tasty delights from her venue in North Bar since 2014, originally as Little Amsterdam and for the last year as Taquero.
At Little Amsterdam Ilja specialised in Dutch products and traditional dishes from the Netherlands. Within months of opening she received a Café of the Year award.
When the pandemic hit Ilja rethought her business when she realised running the restaurant as she had been was no longer an option. Keen to continue offering employment to her staff, she created Taquero offering south-American influenced enchiladas, tacos, burritos and nachos.
Now Ilja has decided on a new challenge and has sold her business.
On hearing the news people are giving Ilja plenty of encouragement. She said: “The support that I’m receiving is incredible.
“The new owners will be ready to announce their plans very soon. It will remain a restaurant and the chef taking over is fantastic and well known in his field.
“I will be going into interior design and enjoy being creative again in a different profession.
“It’s been an amazing journey!”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam
Neil Clarke On 04/11/2021 at 12:11 pm
Sorry to hear that you are leaving your Lovely Restaurant,wishing you all the best in your new venture.x
Dave Evans On 04/11/2021 at 1:36 pm
It was one of my wife’s and mine favourite places to eat we had her 50th birthday meal there
Dave Evans On 04/11/2021 at 1:39 pm
The best restaurant in Banbury