For Chiara Di Costa and her husband Carmelo, food is more than just a means to an end - it’s the essence of family, tradition and home.
That’s exactly what they’ve brought to Altrincham with Bar Etna, their family-friendly and welcoming trattoria on Stamford New Road that will soon celebrate its second birthday.
Opened in May 2023, the Sicilian eatery is a labour of love, reflecting the couple’s roots and their dream of creating something truly special - and judging by the feedback, the local community would tend to agree.
Chiara and Carmelo hail from different parts of Sicily - Carmelo from a small village near Catania and Chiara from Nicosia, a village in the mountainous Enna region.
But despite their different upbringings, they were both raised in the heart of Sicilian culture, where food was an expression of love and family ties ran deep.
Chiara originally trained as a beauty therapist, but her passion for hospitality was always strong. "I worked in hospitality in Sicily for a few years, but I never had something that was mine," she recalls. The idea of opening a place of their own had always been in the back of their minds, and when they moved to Altrincham when Carmelo landed a job at Travelodge on Stamford New Road, the couple quickly established that this was the perfect place to bring their dream to life.
But it wasn’t an easy start. "I was pregnant when we were planning all of this, so I was even more anxious," says Chiara. "I kept worrying, ‘What if it doesn’t work? How will we pay rent?’ But we managed."
Despite some early challenges - including being scammed and taken to court, an ordeal they ultimately won with the help of BBC’s Rip Off Britain programme - the couple persevered.
Family is at the heart of everything Chiara and Carmelo do. With two young children, including Nicholas who was just two months old when Bar Etna opened, balancing work and home life is a constant challenge. "My husband tells me to stop thinking about the restaurant when we have our Tuesdays off!" Chiara laughs. "But if we don’t take a break, it’s literally non-stop."
The sense of family extends to their staff as well. "We wouldn’t be here without our business partners, Ignazio and Federica, who live in Sicily," she says. The team at Bar Etna is a mix of cultures, but all share a deep respect for authentic Italian cuisine.
"Amy, who’s been with us since the beginning, is a proper Mancunian, but she understands our vision. Her boyfriend, Jaluga, is from Sardinia, so he gets it too. Then there’s Nino, my husband’s friend from Venezuela, whose parents were from Puglia. And we’ve recently welcomed Karen and Melissa to the team."
Even Chiara’s mother, who recently moved from Sicily, lends a hand. "She’s not a fan of cooking - an unusual trait for an Italian woman! - but she helps when she can. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, is the typical Italian woman who wakes up and immediately thinks about what to cook. That’s where Carmelo gets his love for food!"
Bar Etna is deceptively spacious inside, with 45 covers, but retains an intimate and homely atmosphere that all the best Italian eateries have. "In Sicily, we’d call it a trattoria, not a restaurant. It’s smaller and more relaxed," explains Chiara. "We started with nine tables and a tiny kitchen with just a four-ring electric hob and an oven. But we made it work. Slowly, we’ve improved the space for ourselves and our customers."
The food, like the atmosphere, is simple yet high quality. "We’re not trying to do extravagant dishes. We focus on quality, just like we would at home," Chiara says. "If I wouldn’t serve it to my family, I wouldn’t serve it to my customers."
Bar Etna offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, though Chiara is quick to clarify that they’re not a typical café. "You can just come in for a drink, but we don’t serve a full English or anything like that. Our focus is on Sicilian flavours and home-style cooking."
They’ve also embraced Altrincham’s strong community spirit. "The best thing is when customers tell us they’ve been recommended by friends or neighbours. That word-of-mouth support means everything to us," says Chiara. "It’s what makes us different. There are a lot of Italian places, but not all are run by Italians. People come here because they want an authentic experience."
More than just a place to eat, Bar Etna is designed to make people feel at home - and that especially includes young families.
"We have a play area for children because we know how hard it is for families to find a place where they can enjoy a coffee while their little ones are entertained," says Chiara. "We want our customers to come in, relax, and feel like they’re part of our extended family."
The trattoria also has a small retail section selling Italian goods, with a particular focus on Sicilian wines. "We wanted to stay true to our roots, so our wine list is entirely Sicilian. It’s just another way we bring a piece of home to Altrincham."
As Bar Etna approaches its second anniversary, Chiara and Carmelo continue to innovate. "We’re always thinking about new specials and ways to keep things fresh," she says. "Our menu isn’t huge, but that allows us to focus on quality and seasonal ingredients."
Despite the long hours and challenges of running a restaurant, they wouldn’t have it any other way. "This is what we wanted. This is our goal."
So, whether you’re looking for a quiet coffee, a hearty Sicilian meal, or just a warm, welcoming place to spend time with loved ones, Bar Etna invites you to experience a little taste of Sicily right here in Altrincham.
"Come down, try us, relax and enjoy our Sicilian atmosphere and food. We can’t wait to welcome you."
Bar Etna, 74 Stamford New Rd, Altrincham WA14 1BS. Open 12-6pm on Sunday and Monday, and 10am to 10pm from Wednesday to Saturday. Closed Tuesdays. See bar-etna.co.uk for more, or follow @baretna_alty on Instagram
