The eagle eyed among you will have spotted a shiny new espresso bar that has popped up recently on the Calls. It looked so glam and continental we just had to find out more…
1. So who are you and what do you do?
My name is Alex Galantino and I own La Bottega Milanese the first Italian espresso bar concept in Leeds.
2. And what would be a typical day?
Well actually my day starts at night thinking of things, even when I wake up I’m thinking of coffee and the shop. I get to the shop for about half 7, get the machine fired up, taste the coffee and make sure its right before I open for the customers. Then we start to prepare all of the paninis for lunch with the fresh bread made to our specifications by an award winning baker. Although I am Italian, I am proud that I live here in Leeds and I like to put a Yorkshire twist on things. I try to source my fresh ingredients locally from the Leeds market and milk from local dairies. I wind up the day around 3 but once the weather is warmer we hope to get some outside seating and stay open until about 6 O’clock and crank up the whole continental experience.
3. So how did you end up in Leeds selling coffee?
Well it all started with a girl- how all these things start, who I met on a holiday to Corfu with the lads when I lived in Milan. To cut a long story short we came over to Leeds one summer to visit the girls we met on that holiday, and to learn English. My mates went back after a couple of months and 13 summers later I’m still here!
As for the coffee, I used to do this in Milan as a teenager to support my studies. I had the traditional Italian style training, with big bar men in Milan, slapping me around the ears if things were not right, starting from the lowest level and I worked my way up. After I graduated as a graphic designer I got into computers and ended up as an IT manager. I was waking up day after day realising that was not what I wanted to do, it didn’t make me happy. I always had this idea to open something very quaint and Italian to show everyone what real Italian coffee should be- like it is in Italy. There your barista is highly skilled and is like your English pub landlord, they know who you are and you can go and chat to them while you have your espresso. I can be passionate about this and it makes me want to get up early in the morning.
4. If you had the freedom of the city of Leeds what would you do?
I would turn it into Italy! I would put in lots of small beautiful piazzas and loads of cafes. I would get everyone to buy a Vespa and to start dressing sharply! That is pretty much my idea of heaven! On a serious note I think Leeds has got some amazing places that need to be used and exploited a little bit more. We have Granary Wharf, the Calls and the Corn Exchange and it’s a real shame how they are under used. We need more of a continental coffee culture whilst still keeping it Yorkshire! (and a lot more Vespas).
5. Anything else you want to plug?
All I want to say is that if you are really interested in what coffee really is, you can step through our doors, it’s like the Tardis that will transport you right to Italy. They moved the Cavern club brick by brick and my coffee bar is brick for brick the same as any espresso bar that you would find in Milan transported right here to Leeds. I’m proud to say we are the first bar of this type in all of Leeds.
Update: We were asked by Alex to pick at random five winners to receive a special package of the new home range blend (yum yum) He was inundated with coffee loving hopefuls and here are the chosen five…
Dan Jolley
Ian Speight
Lorena Liberti
Ben Luke
Helen Dodds
What type/brand/etc. of beans do you use?
If I lived in Leeds I would definitely frequent your establishment. You have a true passion and love for your cafe and that comes across. Good luck with your venture.
Hi there, many thanks. We are on a mission, we’d love to get there. I use a personal selection of blend made out of all sorts of beans which represent the typical northern Italian Coffee profile. And roasting. No particular brand…just taste buds.
Ciao e grazie
Alex serves great coffee, I popped in and bought one a short while back and I would recommend his espresso bar.
Best wishes … but, down here on the Kent coast I expect my favoiurite coffee bars to open well before 8 … like even before 7 to catch some early risers – and delivery drivers – on their way to work. Shutting at 1500 would be financial suicide. No earlier than 1800 in winter and 2100 in summer. [A bit like the hours that I shall experience in Italy later this year!]
So good luck Alex but don’t be too lazy!]
Buona fortuna Alessandro,
Apre uno a Manchester!
Paolo
Thanks for the wishes guys! We are going to carry on doing the right thing.
Erm Colin…lazy!!!!!!???????? I would love to work right up to 19.00 my friend, but you have got to take the site into consideration. Just office trade around here until the weekend.
Worked til 18.00 many days……
We are more of a destination point, and I am glad to say more and more make the trip. As soon as it starts getting warmer people, we will put seats outside and do it like in the continent!
Ciao and thanks for your support. Ciao!
Within La Bottega Milanese, you have delivered beauty, deliciousness & inspiring conversation to the Calls~
grazie Alex!
So this is what you have been upto Alex! Haven’t seen you around for a long time, and I have been meaning to drop into the coffee shop that appeared near where I live for some time now, I had no idea that it was yours! I’m sure I’ll see you sometime soon, still hitting the salsa scene on Thursdays? Or over an espresso. All the best with the new business venture.
Joanna