When Vito Vernia started working in a UK restaurant back in 2013, he barely spoke a word of English. A drink runner at Piccolino in Birmingham, he was learning fast – not just the language, but the structure, culture and rhythm of British hospitality.
Just six years later, he opened Grazie in Sheffield city centre, a restaurant focused on Southern Italian pasta dishes that would become the cornerstone of a venture built with old friend and business partner, Giacinto Di Mola.
Today, the duo run four venues across the city: Grazie, Paesani, La Bottega and Borgo. Each reflects a unique aspect of Italian cuisine, and together, they form a kind of edible map of their culinary roots – the sun-drenched town of Polignano a Mare in Puglia, famous for its cliff-diving and its most celebrated son, Domenico Modugno, who gave the world the song ‘Volare’.
“It started with family,” Vito tells Exposed. “I grew up in a bar – my parents had Zanzi Bar back in Polignano. From there, we moved into restaurants and resorts. That’s how I met Giacinto – he was the manager at one of the resorts. We already knew each other, but that’s where we started working together.”
Giacinto’s own hospitality background is as picturesque as it is prestigious – he worked for seven years at the five-star Grotta Palazzese, a famed cave-based hotel and restaurant carved into the cliffs of Polignano. “I always loved the hospitality industry,” he says. “But moving to the UK gave us a different perspective – more structured, more formal. We wanted to bring something authentic from Puglia here.”
Vito’s solo venture with Grazie launched in 2019, specialising in handmade pasta and dishes inspired by southern Italy. “In the beginning, people would ask, ‘Where are the meatballs?’” he laughs. “We’d have to explain – this is a different part of Italy. We wanted to show the real variety, the regional culture of the food.”
The turning point came in 2021, when the pair reunited in business to open Paesani in Crookes, a bustling pizzeria with a focus on Neapolitan-style pizza. “That was our first venture together,” says Vito. “It went really well, straight from the start.” The success led to two more venues – La Bottega, serving small plates and wine on the corner of Leopold Street, and Borgo, a Fulwood-based restaurant which channels the feel of a traditional neighbourhood trattoria.
“We didn’t want to open four of the same thing,” says Vito. “Each place has its own identity. If you want pizza, you go to Paesani. If you want fresh pasta, it’s Grazie. If you want wine and small plates, La Bottega. And if you want a proper homemade Italian meal , you go to Borgo.”
The model is working and growth has been swift. “We started Grazie with four staff,” Vito recalls. “Now, across all the venues, we have around 55.” They’ve explanded quickly, but not recklessly. “There are always challenges – finding the right staff, keeping them, especially after Brexit,” says Giacinto. “But we’re always there, every day, working inside the business and enjoying it.”
That hands-on ethos, they agree, is what sets them apart. “It’s not just business. It’s passion. We love food, we love wine and we want to share that. We’re behind everything we do – we don’t want to let it run itself.”
A strong sense of place defines their menus too. Many of their products come direct from Italy – some from producers they’ve known since before they left. “Even the sun-dried tomatoes, even the wine – it comes straight to us, no supplier, just from our regions,” explains Giacinto.
That connection to home remains central, even as their presence in Sheffield expands. Polignano a Mare may seem a world away from South Yorkshire, but the philosophy – simplicity, authenticity, warmth – travels well. “In our town, everyone knows everyone. It’s about community, food, enjoying time together,” says Vito. “That’s what we try to recreate here.”
The local response has been enthusiastic. All four restaurants have developed a loyal following, and Vito is keen for people to fully explore their offering. “We like having places in different areas of Sheffield, so if you enjoyed a meal at Borgo, you will almost definitely enjoy one at Grazie. Or if you liked pizza at Paesani, then you should try small plates and wine at La Bottega in the city centre. They all have the same overall ethos.”
We’re proud of what we’ve done,” beams Giacinto. “To create something authentic, to bring a piece of our home here – that’s what matters.”
And as for what’s next? They’re cautious. “For the foreseeable, we’re focusing on what we’ve got,” Vito says. “We want to keep the standards high, not spread ourselves too thin. We always have ideas in our heads, so who knows? But for now, it’s about enjoying what we do – and doing it really well.”
@borgosheffield
@graziesheffield
@paesani_sheffield
@labottegasheffield
