La Bottega Belfast
These images are the result of a thoughtful collaboration with Francesco, whose vision shaped every frame. Together, we curated a collection that reflects not only his passion but, hopefully the soul of his award-winning restaurant.
Nestled in the heart of our community on the Lisburn Road, La Bottega is more than a restaurant—it’s a celebration of flavour, tradition, and artistry. I'm truly honoured to have been invited to contribute to their story.
Come and experience an authentic slice of Italy and see the full collection at La Bottega, Lisburn Road Belfast.
La Bottega Marketing
Francesco, featured in The Belfast Telegraph. Authenticity, community and a passion for quality has made his award winning restaurant a gem in the country's food scene. Click image to link to The Restaurant.
"Ponte Vecchio, Before the Crowds" Shot just before the day gets busy, this is the calm side of the Ponte Vecchio—reflections still, streets quiet. It’s one of those moments when the city feels like it’s taking a breath before it wakes up. A good reminder that even the most visited places have their quieter moods, if you’re willing to look for them.
“Canal Fugue” A lone gondolier moves through the narrow canal, his silhouette framed by quiet, aging buildings. The water, gently disturbed, mirrors centuries of history. In this quiet moment, Venice feels timeless — a city where life flows as slowly as the boat beneath him.
"Serenade on the Ponte Vecchio" Bathed in amber light, this image shows a street musician playing quietly on the nearly empty Ponte Vecchio in Florence. The shops are closed, the lights are low, and the Duomo stands softly lit in the distance. It’s a calm, intimate moment in one of the city’s busiest spots—when the crowds are gone and the bridge breathes again.
"Light in the Rain, Piazza San Marco" A grey Venetian afternoon, the basilica brooding beneath heavy skies. Yet in the shadow and silence, a single umbrella catches the light—white against the darkened stone, soft defiance in the drizzle. It’s a quiet reminder: even in places steeped in grandeur and gloom, grace can arrive gently—on foot, in the rain, with no rush.
"Duomo at Sunset" This image captures Florence’s famous cathedral, Santa Maria del Fiore, lit by the last light of the day. The warm tones of the sunset highlight the details of Brunelleschi’s dome and the patterned marble façade. It’s one of those moments where the city’s architecture and the sky seem to be in quiet conversation.
"The Climb" A single figure in a red jacket pauses behind the tall Gothic windows of Giotto’s Campanile. Framed by intricate marble work and centuries of craftsmanship, they offer a striking contrast to the otherwise muted cityscape. This image is about scale, solitude, and the quiet reward of reaching high places.
"Bergamo in the Between" A quiet geometry of light and shadow frames the domed heart of centuries. Stone speaks in the language of patience, each arch and rose window a held breath. Below, a mirror of still water remembers the sky, reflecting the dome’s whisper: "I have seen the centuries come to kneel."
"Campanile, Reversed in Time" A puddle, fleeting and shallow, holds centuries in suspension. The bell tower of San Marco wavers in golden ripple—less a reflection, more a memory trying to surface. Columns frame this ghost in water, and for a moment, the world inverts: The sky beneath our feet, history liquid and alive.
"Alimentari Uffizi: The Light Within" A golden hush spills from the shop like warm bread from the oven. Notes bloom on the walls—messages, memories, morsels of soul— each one a whisper from another life. Behind the glass, the scent of cured time: bottles like sentinels, cheeses like ancient suns, and a bench outside, waiting not just for customers, but for quiet stories that enter unannounced.
Printing, Framing and Building Boarders. Prints by Chris Curry at Think Pro Images Frames by Paul Gordon at The Belfast Framer.