Where we come from, Simone’s story
Simone was born in Arona, close to Milan, a small town on the Lago Maggiore. In the wine most world-known region, Piedmont.
Photo by Lucie 2018 City of Arona, Lake Maggiore
His whole family is originally from Corato in Puglia in the South of Italy. In the 60s as a lot of people, his dad and his family moved to Turin in the north seeking a better future.
In 1975 Angelo (Simone’s dad) took over his aunt business; a convenience store in Arona at the corner of Via Roma and Via Guiseppe Mazzini. At the time it was the only store around, there was no supermarket. With the years, the wine shelves became bigger and bigger and his passion pushed him to convert the store to a wine shop.
Osteria Piemonte “da Angelo e Tonia” 90’
10 years later, Simone’s mum moved to Arona and married Angelo. The wine shop became “una osteria” a bar/restaurant called Osteria Piemonte. They had 2 boys, Giovanni and Simone.
Quickly Antonia (Simone’s mum) became the chef and ran the kitchen. One meal a day changing every day. A simple and traditional Italian cuisine for the joy of the locals and the tourists. His dad was pouring the region's best wines, surrounded by regulars and friends from the neighbourhood and the region, in a festive and relaxed atmosphere. “Le cose simplici sono le megliori” The simplest things are the best. Angelo has built a marvellous collection of wines and was always attentive and available to advise and introduce customers to the wines of the territory and the most renowned labels as Tignanello, Solaia, Amarone, Barolo, Barbaresco, Sassicaia, Gattinara etc…………….
Osteria Piedmonte 2000’
The family lived in the apartment adjacent to the restaurant. Simone and his brother grew up between school, home and the bar. Their parents have worked hard delivering the best hospitality, 6 days a week for over 30 years.
They sold the business in 2018 and moved back to Corato in Puglia to their roots and their families. The bar is now called Osteria 2 Modi
Arona, Stressa and Isola Bella 2018