la cantinetta

La Cantinetta is a family-run trattoria, oenothèque and caterer in the Bonne-Femme quarter of Grivegnée, opened on 9 February 1998 by Francesca Esposito and Michel Giannuzzi. The concept blends a delicatessen/épicerie origin with a small trattoria atmosphere, rooted in the founders’ Sicilian and Puglian heritage and a desire to showcase small-scale Italian gastronomy and convivial table culture. Their sons Thomas and Mathias trained in hospitality and joined the business; since 2010 Thomas leads the dining room and Mathias directs the kitchen, sourcing weekly inspiration from the market and travels in Italy. La Cantinetta earned a Gault & Millau recommendation, progressed in the yellow guide to 13 and 13.5/20, and entered the Michelin Guide in 2022 with a Bib Gourmand. An intimate, authentic trattoria atmosphere grew from the original delicatessen: the venue began with a counter and two host tables and now offers a small courtyard plus an additional small room for groups, evoking a convivial, homey Italian cantina. The kitchen delivers home-style Italian cuisine with monthly-changing menus that emphasize seasonal, homemade dishes made with local — and, where noted, organic — market-driven products and simple traditional preparations inspired by southern Italy. Specialties include a trio of lemon-mint risottos, Spaghetti carbonara, cavatelli with arugula (rocket) pesto and a puntarelle pie with borlotti cream.