Friends Giulia and Lisa take over Di Niente: ‘Named after my grandmother Casali’

Then the Italian delicatessen and trattoria Di Niente came up for sale, friends Giulia and Lisa didn’t have to think long. From October 1, they can express their passion for Italy and their love for good food in their own business: Trattoria Casali.

The Italian shop and lunchroom Di Niente has been located at the catering square in Dorpsstraat since 2016. After eight years, owner Rainier sold the business and continues with his party catering company Di Niente.

Comfort food from Nonna

Giulia Vrijkorte (28) and Lisa Henneken (27) have known each other from high school and have been friends for twelve years. “Even then we dreamed of having our own lunchroom,” says Lisa. Giulia was born in Rome and moved to Zoetermeer at a young age. “My mother moved to the Netherlands for love,” she explains.

During school holidays, Lisa regularly accompanied her to visit family in Italy. “That’s where my passion for Italian life grew,” says Lisa. “We stayed with Nonna, Giulia’s grandmother. Every day we were allowed to say what we wanted to eat. After a day at the beach we were able to join her. The family was also there at the weekend. At a long table we ate together grandma’s risotto balls, veal steaks with mozzarella and parmagiani. Delicious! I was always warmly welcomed there.”

Mama Cristina mediates

After the opening of Di Niente Lisa regularly came there as a guest in the Dorpsstraat, and Giulia occasionally worked there as a waiter. “I liked coming there for the personal atmosphere and the respect for Italian cuisine,” says Lisa. “I didn’t encounter that anywhere else in Zoetermeer. “

She heard about the owner through Cristina, Giulia’s mother Di Niente wanted to sell. “My mother worked as a waitress at Rainier for five years,” Giulia says. “Our dream of having our own lunchroom suddenly resurfaced. We didn’t have to think about it for very long and decided to take the step. From October 1, the two friends will be at the helm Trattoria Casali.

Same concept

The new lunchroom is named after Giulia’s grandmother: Casali. “Unfortunately, Nonna has passed away and she will no longer be able to witness the opening of our business. She was our source of inspiration, so we have her name on the facade. We also have a panini Casali on the menu. That is a sandwich with portabello, burrata, pistachio crumbs and balsamic vinegar.”

Giulia and Lisa have had the keys to their new store since October 1. “Our opening weekend starts on Friday, October 6, with great discounts,” says Lisa. “We started as a lunchroom and later we also started offering private dinners and drinks. Furthermore, the concept remains the same with various sandwiches, antipasti, desserts, salads and Italian meals. In the store we sell the same range of Italian products as customers are used to.” The two friends don’t have to do it alone. Both Lisa and Giulia’s mother will help their daughters in the business.