The cousins behind two critically-acclaimed Italian restaurants are on the verge of opening a third Bristol eatery.
Dominic Borel and Ben Harvey run Pasta Loco, in Cotham Hill, and Pasta Ripiena, on St Stephen’s Street.
But now they are preparing to fling open the doors of La Sorella, a deli-style venture offering takeaway picnic food as well as wines from across Italy.
“We’re excited,” Mr Borel, 35, told Bristol Live. “We’ve still got a bit to do but there’s a lot of good energy going round so we’re just keen to see what the feedback is.”
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Mr Borel said the premises, two doors down from Pasta Ripiena, can be expected to open in the next 10 days or so.
Customers will be able to purchase a range of cold meats, as well as cheese, pasta salads and organic coffee.
The 24-strong wine selection will no doubt cause eyes to light up too.
The new eatery will contain 15 seats, but bookings will not be accepted and taking away will be encouraged. Ruth Bolton will manage the premises.
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Mr Borel’s background is in spirits and wine - knowledge he picked up during his eight years in Sydney, Australia - while Mr Harvey received pasta training in Italy.
The pair - whose grandfather was from Lake Como - set up Pasta Loco around three years ago, going on to claim rave reviews, before adding to their success through Pasta Ripiena, opened with help from Ben’s brother Joe.
Once La Sorella is established, preparations for a fourth business will then build up steam.
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The idea is to open at the site of the former Bell’s Diner in Montpelier, but planning is still in the “super-early” stages.
“It’s very exciting but we’ve got a lot of work to do on that so there’s no date on that,” Mr Borel said.
