The sun climbs over the office buildings. Close your eyes – take a deep breath. The scent of espresso and cornetto leaves no doubt: the Apulia takes you back to the Mediterranean coast – right to the heel of your “boot”. Operator Vito Loferese comes from Puglia, where he was born and grew up. According to his own statement, he has worked in gastronomy since he was 16 years old: in restaurants, bars or bakeries. “But my dream was always to have my own shop,” says Loforese.
This dream has now come true for Loforese in Munich in the Maxvorstadt. The 31-year-old actually only wanted to come to Munich to help out a friend in the kitchen for a few weeks. Weeks turned into months, months turned into years. Without any language skills and with lousy kitchen jobs, he got by for almost ten years until he opened the small Italian café in September last year.
The glass front is lined with two small olive trees. Through the slices you can guess sweet Italian baked goods: Cannoli Siciliani, Bigné and Baci Di Dama. Loforese gets these from a friend who is a baker in Trieste – the cakes are homemade. Also inside, the heart, the engine of every Italian café: the portafilter machine.
Cozy inside and out: The Apulia in Maxvorstadt.
At the front of the café you can sit on woven chairs or enjoy your espresso at the bar tables. There are also about three tables in the covered passage to the neighboring hotel.
What is there and how much does it cost?
In addition to the desserts, Loforese offers small, hearty snacks. His cousin helps him in the kitchen and prepares the food fresh. There are various paninis with Parma ham or spicy salami for 5.80 euros, and vegetarian options are also available. Next to it are piadines in the display case. The thin flatbread with different fillings is available for 6.50 euros.
Not only sweets are available at Café Apulia, but also hearty snacks.
Café Apulia not only serves sweet breakfasts, but also hearty snacks. The cappuccino for 2.60 euros is a real eye-catcher: Loforese conjures up elaborate latte art in the milk froth. A cat, a bear face or classic heart patterns adorn the cappuccino. For a small surcharge, the cappuccino is also available vegan. In addition to classics such as espresso, latte macchiato and café crema, there is also café Leccese on the menu with the addition that you should ask the chef what it is. The answer: the perfect summer drink. At the table, a fresh espresso is slowly poured into a glass with almond syrup, almond milk and ice cubes. The mixed coffee drink not only looks good due to the different layers that form in the glass, but also tastes good.
Apulia also offers set menus for breakfast. For 6.80 euros, the “Breakfast Italia” is a classic – with a croissant, cappuccino and freshly squeezed orange juice. On a beautiful wooden plate, Loforese serves the “German version”, which is called “Breakfast Fitness”. The menu costs 9.80 euros and, in addition to the obligatory cappuccino, includes a portion of scrambled eggs, cheese, ham and toast. People with a small appetite choose the “Breakfast Yoga” for 3.80 euros: yoghurt with muesli and fresh fruit.
Small or large breakfast: with Vito Loferese, the decision is not easy.
In the Apulia you don’t just get your money’s worth in the mornings. During the day, the small café turns into a bistro, with two changing dishes. Salads are served in summer and soups in winter.
The audience is mixed. Students sit outside and enjoy their oat cappuccino. Scraps of Italian sentences waft across from other tables again and again. According to Loforese, employees of the Munich district court would also be happy to come by for the breakfast break. In addition to the food and drinks that can be consumed on site, the operator Loforese also offers wines, olive oil or grappa from Apulia.
Cafe Apulia, Sandstrasse 21, 80335 Munich, Telephone: 0173/6257525; Opening hours: Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.