San Carlo is to open a new 140-seater restaurant in Leeds city centre. The chosen site is 6-7 South Parade, in the heart of the legal and business quarter.

It's the second San Carlo to open in the North in less than a year. The Liverpool San Carlo opened six months ago to good reviews, bringing the total tally of San Carlos to six, including their Signor Sassi branded restaurant in London's fashionable Knightsbridge. There are also two Signor Sassi venues in Kuwait with further branches planned for Dubai, Riyadh and Cairo.

The Leeds restaurant will follow the same formula as the Manchester San Carlo on King Street West – high-end Italian dining, a 'unique' atmosphere, and a blend of traditional and contemporary styling. Whether it will also attract a smattering of celebrities is yet to be seen. Stars spotted at a San Carlo recently include Rhianna, Julia Roberts, Carlos Tevez and Sir Alex Ferguson (not together).

Food wise, you can expect everything from simple pizza or pasta dishes to lobster and caviar. Fresh fish is a speciality – check out the blackboards for that day's catch.

The Leeds restaurant is expected to open in August.