“Donato Cillo and Antonio Cillo”
A new eatery is heading to South Liverpool’s Woolton Village this October, Botanico, located in the former Il Ristorante by Crust site.
Created by the team behind Liverpool’s Italian Quarter in the city centre, Botanico will be open every day from 9am until 9pm serving up freshly made dishes.
Father and son duo Donato Cillo and Antonio Cillo are the owners of the Italian Quarter with venues such as Brunchin, Hey Farina, P&D Gran Caffe and Antonietta Cakes and Gelato, a bustling hub for Italian food since 2010.
Having both worked in the hospitality industry since they were 13 years old, Donato, 48, and Antonio, 24, originally from Potenza in Italy, are passionate about showcasing authentic Italian food to Merseyside and beyond. Each and every dish, dessert and the produce from the bakery are freshly made in-house daily.
The Afternoon Tea selection is made up of delicious sandwiches from the freshly baked bread and delicate desserts that are handmade and created by the talented team from Antoinetta Bakery with Donato’s wife and Antonio’s mother, Antoinetta Cillo, creating exquisite bakes for over 20 years.
The bakery will see freshly made croissants, cannolis, pastries, macarons, cakes and breads baked with sourdough, the authentic Italian way, on display to enjoy in the restaurant or available for takeaway.
By day, guests can expect a full brunch menu with everyone’s favourite dishes and other creations that have been elevated with a Botanico twist. Pizza will be available from 12pm until close, and a versatile bistro menu will also carry guests through until the evening.
Creating 25 jobs of varying positions, Botanico will have a capacity of 90 in the main restaurant with an additional 30 in the dedicated tearoom.
Donato Cillo explained: “Botanico will bring an exciting and fresh approach to this space in Woolton Village, giving guests a venue to visit in couples or groups of friends and family. It’s an inclusive venue with something for everyone; from classic brunch dishes to an all day pizza menu, a delicate and delicious Afternoon Tea as well as a full evening bistro menu with starters and main courses.”
Antonio Cillo added: “We’ll have a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as a fresh bakery section where our guests can take away their favourite loaves, or stock up on home baked pastries. Botanico is a must-visit venue for those who love authentic Italian-inspired cuisine, as well as a wide range of classic favourites.”