Brothers dream of expanding Little Italy after success in Rainford

With Italian heritage and parents who owned the former Bella Roma in St Helens town centre, Francesco, Valerio, and Fabio Cangemi took a leap of faith to open 'Little Italy' on Ormskirk Road in Rainford earlier this summer.

Despite launching just two months ago, Little Italy has been such a success that it is often booked up for weeks in advance and receives dozens of daily calls asking for takeaway options.

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A delicious cannoli pastry at Little Italy (Image: Little Italy)

With a focus on authentic Italian ingredients, Little Italy opens from 10am and has a mouth-watering menu that starts the day with a selection of croissants, pastries, and deli offers.

A daytime and evening menu is then rolled out as the day progresses, which provides customers with a selection of small antipasti dishes, fresh focaccia sandwiches, as well as handcrafted pizza and pasta meals.

A succulent specials board has also been introduced which changes regularly, while further focus is placed on securing delicious Italian desserts as well as continental beers, wines, and cocktails.

Penne Arribiata and a pint of Birra Moretti outside the Ormskirk Road restaurant (Image: Little Italy)

With Italian heritage and parents who are former restauranteurs, Francesco said that cooking "runs in the family" and the launch of a restaurant is something the brothers had debated for years.

Finding an "empty shell" on Ormskirk Road which they felt was the perfect place to invest in, the brothers believed that they had the recipe for success with Little Italy.

However, with returning customers, evening meals that are booked up weeks in advance, and dozens of calls asking for takeaways, the trio have been taken aback at how quickly the restaurant has connected with customers in Rainford.

A hot smoked honey and spinach mozzarella pizza on the specials board (Image: Little Italy)

Francesco, who left his job as an electrician to focus on the restaurant, said: "Things have been really busy since opening, so much so that I think we were all a bit surprised at how quickly it has taken off.

"We try to keep all our products authentic, change our specials as much as we can, and listen to what our customers want to eat, so I think that gives the restaurant something extra and makes it a place people want to try."

Inside the intimate Italian restaurant (Image: St Helens Star)

With a vibrant mix of venues in Rainford, Francesco also thinks that the restaurant's success is down to being one of the only Italian restaurants in a "really nice village" that doesn't "step on anyone's toes". 

Developing a reputation as a must-try venue in just two months of opening, Francesco said that the brothers will look to expand the business if the successes continue.

This would allow a second unit to focus on deli and takeaway options while the Ormskirk Road restaurant can keep its attention on providing the highest-quality meals.

Little Italy is open from 10am to 5.30pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and until 10pm for the rest of the week. Takeaway options are only available if the restaurant is not busy at present.

Little Italy on Ormskirk Road in Rainford (Image: Little Italy)