Pasta cafe-restaurant to open in Crookes as business expands

Sicilian owners Alessio Giummarresi and Giuseppe Cannavo will open a second Heart of Sicily sit-down pasta cafe in Crookes around the end of March, taking over a former Barnardo's charity shop and offering eat-in and takeaway service for about 25 diners.

Alessio Giummarresi and Giuseppe Cannavo are opening a second Heart of Sicily sit-down cafe on Crookes high street. They are taking over a former Barnardo's charity shop a few doors up from their existing venue. The pair originally served local markets from a van before opening their first Heart of Sicily cafe and takeaway in late 2023. They describe the new place as a casual restaurant offering lunches and dinners. Key details: - The cafe is owned by Sicilian partners Alessio Giummarresi and Giuseppe Cannavo and will sit on Crookes high street. - The new site is a former Barnardo's charity shop located a short distance from their current Heart of Sicily outlet. - The owners began by serving markets such as Nether Edge and Sharrow Vale from a van before opening their first cafe in late 2023. - They expect to open just before Easter, around the end of March, and plan hours from about 11am until 8pm or 9pm. - The menu will focus on pasta with vegan and gluten-free options, offering around four to five pasta shapes, multiple sauces, baked dishes like lasagne, and garlic bread; eat-in and takeaway will be available with roughly 8–10 tables upstairs to seat about 25 diners. Summary: The expansion takes Heart of Sicily from market stall and takeaway into a dedicated sit-down pasta venue on the Crookes high street, adding a casual restaurant option nearby. The owners expect to open around the end of March; further operational details are undetermined at this time.