For ten years, Amalia has served up prize-winning pizza and pasta like Nonna used to make to
Nestled in between Duke Street and Hanover Street in the heart of Liverpool, the Italian restaurant enjoys a loyal following of regular customers - but things were not always so easy for the venue, as owner Miguel Queipo says that his first few months in business were "a disaster".
Located slightly off the beaten path, Miguel and co-owner Antonio Lixi struggled to make their restaurant known until a review appeared in The ECHO.
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He said: "It was a disaster. We were three months in and it was only Antonio and I in the restaurant. We started to make noise in town so people know who we were, until one day we showed up in The ECHO and we became famous."
Miguel, who moved to England from Spain in 2007 to study business, teamed up with Antonio after they worked together at an Italian restaurant in York, where Antonio was a chef and Miguel was a manager. Amalia was their first business venture - and its name holds a special place in Miguel's heart.
Miguel said: "Amalia was my grandma. My grandmother died three years before I came to England, so she was always in my heart. She fed me since I was a kid. So I was looking for a name and it became Amalia - and with our own names, Antonio Miguel Italia - it all came very well together.
"I always said that this was a gun with just one bullet, because we started from scratch. We always knew it was either going to be successful or shut down, because we didn't have room to fail. We were confident and sure we were going to get there. When you're willing to do something in your heart and hour head, you get there."
In its lifetime, Amalia has amassed an impressive portfolio of awards, including multiple Liverpool Lifestyle Awards, two Liverpool Food and Drink Festival awards and The Positive Award, and Antonio won Chef Of The Year at the National Italian Awards in 2018.
It achieved local fame with its calzone challenge, where customers must wolf down a 5lb folded pizza with meat, cheese and veggies in just 30 minutes.
Miguel said: “Our restaurant can definitely be considered a hidden gem. Even though it’s located in the heart of Liverpool, once you enter our courtyard you could be anywhere on earth and it certainly doesn’t feel like you are in a busy city centre. It’s beautiful in the summer and people love it for that.
“We don’t get as much natural passing trade but those who know we’re here love the peace and quiet we offer. The way the trees and buildings surround the courtyard makes it a perfect place to enjoy great food and drink away from the hustle and bustle of the city, whilst it still captures the sun.”
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