A recently-launched Italian wine café has become the first of its kind in the city to specialise in the Italian dining style of ‘Aperitivo’, bringing a taste of la dolce vita to Sheffield.
Bespoke wine café Veeno launched its latest outlet on Ecclesall Road, converting the former Carluccio’s Italian restaurant. It specialises in ‘the art of Italian Aperitivo’ – an after-work culture of drinking, eating Italian-style appetisers and relaxing with colleagues, friends and family.
In addition, Veeno features an open kitchen, allowing diners and drinkers to view the preparation process.
The outlet, which has 18 branches in locations including York, Manchester, London, Cardiff and Edinburgh, was formed in 2013 and takes inspiration from Caruso and Minini – a vineyard in Sicily established by Antonio Caruso, great-grandfather to one of Veeno’s co-founders, Nino Caruso.
As well as its exclusive wine offering, which includes wine tasting experiences, Veeno is the first wine café in the city to champion Italy’s ‘Aperitivo culture’. Alongside its family-grown Sicilian wine, it serves authentic ‘Spuntini’ – boards of meats, cheeses and other appetisers imported from individually-selected producers in Italy.
Nino’s fellow co-founder Andrea Zecchino said, “We’re delighted to be bringing the Veeno experience to Sheffield. Veeno is all about bringing people together to relax over an ‘Aperitivo’ – sharing some delicious nibbles and quality wines.
“It’s similar in concept to sharing tapas and drinks in a leisurely setting – the art of Aperitivo is an event in itself. At Veeno we live La Dolce Vita life and we want our guests to have that same experience.
“We felt that there was a real gap in the market in Sheffield for an outlet such as ours which provides a genuinely authentic Italian experience, as well as a superb lunchtime menu and an excellent venue for weekend drinking and dining.
“Ecclesall Road has so much to offer this fantastic city and we feel that Veeno will fit in seamlessly to its surroundings. We’re excited to give Sheffield the opportunity to sample the Veeno experience!”
To celebrate its arrival in Sheffield, Veeno will host a Selezione Wine Tasting Experience over Valentine’s Weekend, offering a complementary bottle of Veeno’s fresh, aromatic ‘Wine of Love’ to take home. Bookings need to be received by Sunday – T&Cs apply.
For more information on Veeno Sheffield visit www.theveenocompany.com, or follow @veeno_sheffield on Instagram or the ‘Veeno Sheffield’ Facebook page.
