The owners have plans to expand their portfolio
Plans have been submitted to open the pasta restaurant beside City Hall(Image: NI Planning Portal)
A popular South Belfast restaurant has submitted plans to open a new sister restaurant in the city centre.
The owners of La Bottega have plans to open a second location beside Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square East.
The proposal seeks to transform the currently vacant commercial unit into a high-quality, artisanal culinary establishment designed as an “Italian Pasta Lab with a modern twist.”
Alongside the plans, a name can be seen on the proposed plans for the restaurant, which plans to operate on both a sit-in and takeaway basis. The plans suggest the restaurant’s name will be ‘Crusca’.
Owner Francesco Iaquinta – La Bottega on Belfast’s Lisburn Road(Image: Justin Kernoghan/Belfast Live)
The owners already operate the award-winning Italian deli on the Lisburn Road in South Belfast. The deli, bistro and food market specialises in authentic Italian produce, and has gone from strength to strength since Francesco launched it in November 2021.
Their menu features antipasti, pizza, focaccia, and mains such as Rigatoni alla Carbonara.
Owner Francesco Iaquinta’s initial idea for La Bottega was to serve up authentic deli dishes from the north and south of Italy, such as lasagne and arancini, but his vision evolved to what is now a sit-in bistro.
As well as working as a personal trainer, Francesco previously worked as a manager at Belfast Castle and a personal trainer, before discovering Belfast’s Lisburn Road while working for French Village Group.
There has been no confirmation yet on when the restaurant plans to open.
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Dining and Cooking