Stevie Wonder with Le Set General Manager Barry Livingstone
Music star Stevie Wonder celebrated his wife’s birthday at the Glasgow venue co-owned by former footballer and Open Goal presenter Si Ferry ahead of his concert at the OVO Hydro.
The 76-year-old superstar visited Le Set at Princes Square on Tuesday evening (10 November), with the entire penthouse restaurant reserved for a private celebration attended by family and guests.
Wonder was photographed alongside the venue’s general manager Barry Livingstone during the visit, which came less than two months after Le Set opened in the former October restaurant overlooking Buchanan Street.
The venue is the latest hospitality venture from Ferry and his business partner Jordan Allan, who also own the popular Italian restaurant Grosso in Dennistoun.
Livingstone admitted staff initially struggled to believe that one of the world’s most celebrated musicians would be visiting their new restaurant.
He said: “When we first got the call to say Stevie Wonder was coming in for dinner, we genuinely thought someone was winding us up.
“It was an absolute delight to welcome Stevie and his guests for such a special family celebration.
“Music is such a huge part of what we do here, so to have an absolute legend like Stevie join us was pretty incredible. It’s certainly a night the team won’t forget!”
Ferry, who is attending Wonder’s Glasgow concert tonight, said the visit was a memorable moment for the new business.
He said: “I’m actually going to see Stevie Wonder tonight, so I was absolutely buzzing to hear he’d chosen Le Set. We’ve only been open a couple of months, so to have someone like Stevie come in is unbelievable. It’s brilliant to know we’re already on the radar and a really proud moment for everyone involved.”
Le Set opened on 24 September following a major transformation of the former October venue at the top of Princes Square.
Ferry and Allan developed the concept after visiting restaurants and nightlife destinations in Marbella, taking inspiration from venues where guests can enjoy dinner, cocktails, music and dancing without having to move elsewhere.
The 200-capacity venue has been redesigned with a statement marble bar, DJ booth and atmospheric lighting, with a food menu developed by chef Nick Rietz, formerly of Glasgow fine dining restaurant Bilson Eleven.
Its menu includes lobster French toast, miso black cod, wagyu beef tacos and millionaire fries finished with truffle and caviar.
Wonder’s visit comes ahead of his performance at the OVO Hydro on Wednesday evening (11 November), part of a tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of his landmark 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life.
The 25-time Grammy Award winner will perform the album in its entirety, including classics such as Sir Duke, Isn’t She Lovely and As, with the concert scheduled to begin at 8pm.