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Milanese Entrepreneurs Collaborate Making Leeds ‘Living More Italian’

A Friendship Formed & Business Booming:

Milanese Entrepreneurs Collaborate To Get Leeds ‘Living More Italian’

One grew up earning pocket money making gnocchi for his mother’s business, the other whiled away his youth playing football, chasing after models and frequenting all the best espresso bars around the Duomo. Both have Milanese culture running through their blood and are excited to be sharing some of their heritage with Leeds.

This week the founders of Leeds’ much loved Italian hotspots LIVIN’Italy and La Bottega Milanese announced an exciting collaboration, to bring the city more of their homeland culture and get Leeds ‘Living more Italian’.

Mattia Boldetti, 34, and Alex Galantino, 40, met on a night out in Leeds 10 years ago, when neither knew of another Italian from Milan in the city - and both were working for other people. Today, the duo is recognized amongst foodies and the Italian community as having brought authentic tastes of Milan to LS1 and are excited to be expanding elements of both businesses, to work formally in collaboration.

Two passionate individuals who have shared the struggles of independents making it through the Economic crisis, their collaboration kicks off bringing a new kind of breakfast to Leeds commuters, as LIVIN’Italy launches its new breakfast menu, providing shots of La Bottega Milanese coffee, alongside Italian breakfast traditions, offering up flavours found nowhere else in the city. This will be followed by an event at La Bottega Milanese inviting coffee lovers to treat their tastebuds to LIVIN’Italy’s specially produced wine, developed alongside The Yorkshire Wine School, as the late night Italian espresso bar widens its remit for its loyal customers who treat it like home.

LIVIN’Italy founder, Mattia Boldetti, who opened his first Italian restaurant in Leeds in 2007 said: “We know many of our customers enjoy the friendly, fun vibe at LIVIN’Italy, and to date we have provided escapism for them at lunch and dinner - but now we’re here for them for breakfast too. We’re working to inject some Milanese fun into mornings, to help the city’s workers kick start their day in style. Milanese coffee culture is all about quick hits on the move for busy bustling people. Coffee and pastries is the staple diet in Milan, now it’s time for Leeds to get more continental.”

Alex Galantino, La Bottega Milanese founder, said: “We are really lucky to have a passionate customer base, people who really buy into our way of life and the Milanese cafe culture, in Leeds. We pride ourselves on delivering a truly unique experience, and working with LIVIN’Italy means we get to carry through more of the culture. Our mantra is ‘If it’s not from Italy it’s from Yorkshire’ so what better way to introduce wine onto our menu, than working with my Milanese Yorkshire fellow bar owner, Mattia.

The collaboration of the two businesses is hugely welcomed by the Italian community living in Leeds. Georgia Garavini, from The Italian Society said: “The bar experience is deeply rooted in Italian culture - it’s a gastronomic and social experience. LIVIN’Italy and La Bottega both offer a home from home for me and I love that Mattia and Alex are sharing our culture with a wider audience locally, connecting cultures and giving people of Leeds the opportunity to experience what being Italian is all about”.

A joint loyalty card is also to be launched, to reward customers who frequent both venues.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matthew .