AR-016

Alessio Manca

Burro Café
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Photography: Frederik Gregersen

Q

Can you start by introducing yourself?

A

"I'm the founder of Burro Café in Ostuni. After spending five years in London, where I developed a deep passion for hospitality, I returned to Puglia to begin my journey. I honed my hospitality skills with Moroseta Homes, a collection of exclusive properties in Puglia, which I manage with the same dedication I bring to Burro. My culinary journey with Burro was inspired by the love for food and the desire to create a space where people can come together, not just for a meal, but for a shared experience."

Q

How is life in Ostuni?

A

"Life in Ostuni is truly special. The town blends tradition and modernity in a unique way. It's a place where time slows down, giving you the chance to live la dolce vita and savor simple pleasures - a perfect cup of coffee, a walk through the historic streets, or a day at the beach with friends."

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Q

What was your dream of Burro Café before you started it?

A

"Before Burro Café came to life, me and Antonella envisioned a cozy, welcoming space that would feel like a second home for both of us and our guests - a place where people could come together to enjoy great food and drinks in a cool, well-designed space. Our goal was to combine the warmth of Italian hospitality with a modern touch, featuring simple dishes that showcase local ingredients.

I always had this name in mind, because when I was a kid my mother and my grandmother always cooked pane burro, bread and butter, for me for breakfast, so Burro for me means everything. And when we started the café, we decided to produce the burro in house, so we can do different kinds."

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Q

How do you work with the aesthetics in terms of the food you cook and serve? What inspires you?

A

"Aesthetics play a crucial role in how we present our dishes at Burro Café. We believe that food should be as beautiful to look at as it is to taste. The inspiration often comes from the natural colors and textures of the ingredients themselves. We really love simplicity and prefer dishes to be served in a clean and minimalistic way.

Also, the aesthetics of our space is the same style. We used to live in houses where our parrents collected everything, so it was full of stuff, instead we are very minimalistic. We like when things are essential, and we don’t need so many things to live on. The aesthetics of Burro come from our idea of style and design, also because we have our houses, Casa Piana in the south, which was designed by Palombaserafini from Milan and Casa Maiora designed by Studio Andrew Trotter in the same style. In that context, for Burro we were looking for something fashionable, but minimal. The space of Burro had been closed for 44 years, so the walls were full of plaster, and we decided with the builders to remove it all. And under that there were the most beautiful layers of colors, so we decided to just leave everything as it was and implement it with very minimal interior from Frama."

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Q

To you, what is the perfect breakfast?

A

"The perfect breakfast is simple, fresh, and satisfying. For me, it’s all about high-quality ingredients - freshly baked bread or pastries, local cheeses and butter, and seasonal fruits - accompanied by a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. It's not just about the food, but also the atmosphere and the company you share it with. I like spending these moments together with family and friends.

The best moments for me and Antonella are in the mornings, because here we could share what we would love to do during the day. Puglia in the high seasons can be very crowded and there are many places that aren’t really cool, and since we are both local, we really just share our ideas, experiences and background with the guests and giving our perspective. I like the idea of having the whole day in front of me and be able to decide what I want to do and who I want to be with."

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Q

Which places in the world have inspired you the most throughout your life?

A

"I’ve been so lucky to travel to many places, and each experience has helped shape my vision. Living in London was pivotal in broadening my perspective, and working in a café there for two years revealed how special the morning connection with people can be. In recent years, my travels to New York and Copenhagen have further enriched my inspiration. In these cities, the coffee world is continuously evolving with a modern and cutting-edge touch that has deeply fascinated and influenced me. I like to travel because I always get inspired by different people, different cultures, and different realities. When I plan something, I always look for places where I can get something different, and my research always goes towards where I can be inspired and where I can get experiences. Additionally, having Antonella living in Berlin is a great plus for our cafe, as we engage daily with an international community that extends beyond the local towns.

And then, when I am in Puglia, I try to understand the people coming here, so even when I am at home, I can travel through their eyes, through their words, through their minds, and always get the best tips for everywhere around the world. "

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