A&S Group is the culmination of decades of friendship and shared ambition between Chris Attard and Charles Spiteri. Childhood friends, Chris and Charles had long envisioned running their own café or restaurant, an idea that gradually took shape over the years.
That vision became a reality in 2012 with the opening of Cup Cake Coffee Shop in Victoria, Gozo’s capital. Built on hard work, consistency, and a strong focus on quality, Cup Cake quickly established itself as a popular meeting point for both locals and visitors. Its selection of homemade cakes, muffins, and sweet treats played a central role in shaping its identity and early success. Over the years, the outlet has continued to evolve, with a recent rejuvenation breathing new life into a well-loved concept while retaining its familiar character.
Encouraged by the positive response and growing clientele, Chris and Charles expanded their operations in 2013 with a second outlet at The Duke Shopping Mall. Initially opened as Dukes Café, the concept was later reimagined and rebranded as HoG. Offering a broader menu and a more contemporary setting, HoG established itself as a reliable choice for good food in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Continuing to move with the times, the outlet underwent a significant upgrade in early 2025, further strengthening its position within the local dining scene.
Their ambitions, however, extended beyond the restaurant sector. With a long-standing goal of creating a boutique accommodation experience, the opportunity finally presented itself in 2017 when a centrally located site became available in Victoria, just steps away from their first venture. Following careful planning and development, Townhouse 17 opened its doors in 2021.
Designed as a small boutique hotel with nine rooms, including one fully accessible room, Townhouse 17 combines traditional elements with modern comforts typically associated with larger establishments. Since opening, it has welcomed guests from tens of countries around the world, steadily building a reputation for quality, comfort, and attention to detail in the heart of Gozo.
Recognising the importance of offering a complete experience for their guests, Chris and Charles understood that the hotel needed to be connected to a restaurant, particularly to host guests for breakfast. It was with this in mind that, alongside the opening of Townhouse 17, they also introduced Chapeau Bistro.
Chapeau Bistro built on the savoury food element originally developed at Cup Cake, while establishing its own distinct menu and identity. At the same time, its dessert offering is complemented by Cup Cake, located just next door. This close connection allows guests to enjoy the full offering from either location, with tables at Cup Cake able to be served dishes from Chapeau Bistro, and tables at Chapeau Bistro able to conclude their meal with desserts from Cup Cake.
Opened around the same time as Townhouse 17, Chapeau Bistro offers a refined yet approachable dining setting that serves both hotel guests, as part of the breakfast included when booking a room, and the wider public, further strengthening the Group’s presence within Victoria’s, and Gozo’s, hospitality landscape.
Today, A&S Group stands as a testament to long-term vision, steady growth, and a commitment to quality across each of its ventures. From a single coffee shop to a diversified portfolio that includes hospitality and dining, the journey reflects not only business development, but also the enduring partnership and shared values that first brought it all together. The consistent top ratings received across all four establishments stand as a clear reflection of this commitment and the standards upheld throughout the Group.
