Bruno Tollot originally came to Liverpool to learn English but instead found a new life
The team at Cicchetti
A dad behind some of the city’s most popular restaurants has told how starting an empire was never the initial plan. Bruno Tollot, originally from Italy, came to the UK with the intention of learning the English language.
While doing so, the 44-year-old secured a job with a chain company that has sites across Liverpool and Manchester. He stayed in this role for a year and during this time, he met his now-wife Louise.
Fast-forward to today, and the dad-of-two has three of his own venues within Crosby, the town he now calls home. The Italian is the brains behind Cicchetti, a restaurant named after Venice’s bite-sized dishes found on Liverpool Road. He also founded veteran establishments Moor Lane’s Cantinetta and Franchetti.
Bruno told the ECHO: “I started as front of house, but after I struggled to find a chef, I began learning myself. I come from a family of chefs as we have a sweet shop in Italy. It has been in our family for 45 years, with my mum still doing it today. It’s become tradition for us really.
Cicchetti Italian Restaurant is found on Liverpool Road in Crosby(Image: Andrew Teebay)
“I came here to learn but I found my wife and created a beautiful family. I’ve stayed here since but this is my way of bringing my culture here, to Liverpool.
“Liverpool feels like home to me now. It’s very big in comparison but it’s very compact, with everything you need in the centre. Scousers are so welcoming.”
Cicchetti is the newest of the venues, but has been open for a numbers of years. It first welcomed customers through its doors back in December 2023.
Cicchetti Italian Restaurant is named after Venice’s bite-sized dishes(Image: Andrew Teebay)
Since then, it has become renowned for its small, and medium-sized plates, offering visitors various Mediterranean favourites from lasagne, carbonara to a variety of meat, fish and vegan dishes.
There’s also a breakfast and brunch menu including a selection of classics like eggs benedict, steak sandwich waffles, crepes, avocado on sourdough, muffins and more.
Bruno said: “Our restaurant aims to give people the best of my culture. It is traditional and authentic. People aren’t coming here to order fish and chips or modified meals.
Cicchetti Italian Restaurant is founded by the same owners behind veteran establishments Cantinetta and Franchetti(Image: Andrew Teebay)
“If you go to Italy, you want to try Italian food and that’s the same with my restaurant. You come and leave with a little piece of Italy.”
Bruno explained how he has no intention of opening another restaurant as of yet as he is proud of the brand he has created. He said it has always been the team’s “dream” to introduce the concept of Cicchetti to “the people of Merseyside” and that’s where the focus will remain.