We speak to Rosario, owner of Rosario’s Cafe on Northumberland Place.
Tell us a bit about your business…
It all started at the age of 10 in Sicily making coffee in my parents’ café. (In Italy we call a café a bar.) Funnily enough it was called Bar Bristol as we moved back to Sicily from Bristol in 1982.
We returned to the UK and at the age of 21, I started working at Boston Tea Party as a part-time Barista and became General Manager the year after. This is where I continued with my coffee experience. With the owners, we developed the brand and with their guidance I opened my own branch in Kingsmead Square in 2002.
I continued to work as Operations Manager, but I missed the day-to-day interaction with customers, so Rosario’s Cafe was born in 2009.
I love my own blend coffee. It’s blended and roasted the Italian way with enough robusta bean from Indonesia to give it a kick without it being bitter. I also love serving is our large selection of cannoli including the traditional ones filled with our sweet ricotta cream made out of sheep’s milk all the way from Palermo.
Why Bath?
It’s small, intimate and unique and when you stop, sit back and see what is around, you truly notice how special it is.
Share something new and exciting the you have discovered in Bath…
I love walking around Bath in the early hours when there a few people about. You automatically get immersed and taken back in time, you get the chance to absorb the architecture, history and the imagination takes you to another era.
The Victoria Art Gallery is great spot and it’s my place to escape when things are getting on top of me.
What would be your perfect day in Bath?
On a rare day off in Bath I would come into the café have breakfast, coffee and catch up with some of the locals.
I would have a little wander and see if there are any new openings and do a bit of independent shopping. I will definitely be visiting Zucci menswear soon for my Christmas outfit.
Lunch is a must at La Terra who serve fresh innovative Italian food with a great wine menu. They also hold wine tasting events which are fantastic.
Your top indie recommendation in Bath?
One of my favourite independents is Dough Pizza in Northumberland Place, for a pint I would go to one of the Abbey Ales Pubs in particular the Coeur de Lion which is also in Northumberland Place.
The Coppa Club at the bottom of Milsom Street is a good spot for people watching with a nice glass of red wine.
What are you most looking forward to in the city over the next few months?
I am very much looking forward to the annual Christmas Market. Love or hate it, it brings a lot of money into the local economy, employs locals and gives some local businesses a financial boost for the coming quieter months.
It also showcases what the city can do and keep it thriving while the high street reinvents itself.
And for the first time in 15 Years I will be closing the Café for our annual holidays at the end of Feb.