“We have a restaurant because it is in our blood” – How La Bottega are bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Sheffield
The team behind popular Sheffield restaurants Grazie and Paesani opened the gorgeous La Bottega last summer, bringing authentic Italian flavours to your lunch and dinnertimes in Sheffield city centre.
Situated on the corner of Leopold and Church Street, in the former home of Grazie, La Bottega’s name itself evokes the corner shops and cafes of the owners’ native Puglia and represents what the venue is all about for them.
Open all day, serving coffees, Italian pastries, a lunch menu, a refined evening menu and beautiful wines, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. It’s a beautiful spot to while away a couple of hours in a relaxed city centre setting that’s not going to break the bank!
“We enjoy it because this is what we love to do. We have a restaurant because it is in our blood – we live and breathe it.”
Co-owner Vito Vernia explains: “It’s an all-day place; if you want to come in for a coffee, you can; if you want to come in for a glass of wine and a small plate before a show, you can; if you’re starving and want a big evening meal, we can do that too!
“We’re not a crowded restaurant, it’s much more relaxed. It’s somewhere you can sit with a bottle of wine and eat some proper food. It’s a really chilled atmosphere, which is what we’ve got here. People don’t want to leave.”
Vito’s partner and childhood friend (or paesani), Giacinto Di Mola, added: “I love this spot. When Grazie moved around the corner, I persuaded Vito to keep the lease and create La Bottega.
“It’s somewhere to come and have a nice meal. With the light’s down it feels cosy and I love the windows that look out onto the busy city street. There’s something for everyone.
“The small pates start from around £6, so it’s also really good value.”
The reasonably priced food menu changes throughout the day. The lunch menu comprises small plates, sandwiches and deli items, while the evening menu has a beautifully refined selection of small plates, where everything is made in-house.
“We’re not a crowded restaurant, it’s much more relaxed.”
They also boast one of the best wine cellars in the city, and regularly hold wine tasting evenings, where they focus on a particular region of Italy. The owners of wineries in that region will come and talk to guests about their wines, which La Bottega pair with authentic tastes and dishes from the region.
“We’ve got one of the best wine cellars in Sheffield,” says Giancinto. “The wine tastings have all sold out.”
Vito added: “In October, we did a Sicilian Night, and we got the winemakers to come over from Sicily to explain their story. Who can explain the wine better than the owners of the winery? It’s something different from the usual wine tastings.”
Little details like these set La Bottega apart, and Vito and Giacinto wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’ve got one of the best wine cellars in Sheffield”
Vito expands on this point: “We enjoy it because this is what we love to do. We have a restaurant because it is in our blood – we live and breathe it.
“People have been really, really positive about the food, the atmosphere and the service here. They are often surprised when they step in at how much they enjoy it.
“For anyone who’s already been to our other venues, we would say, trust us, try us, and give it a go!
“Come in for a coffee, and you’ll want to come back for an evening meal the next day.”
La Bottega is open from Monday – Saturday from 9am – 9pm and is also available for private hire.
