Veeno in Durham is returning to its Sicilian roots as founder Nino Caruso resumes leadership of the UK-wide brand.
The independently operated Durham franchise, owned by husband-and-wife team Dan and Donna Lewis, has unveiled a new food and wine offering as part of Nino’s vision to reconnect Veeno with the authentic Sicilian heritage on which it was founded.
After stepping back into a more hands-on role, Nino aims to move the brand away from being perceived as a restaurant chain and refocus on family recipes, regional cuisine and wines from his family’s vineyard in Marsala, Italy.
The changes are being introduced across all Veeno venues, with the Durham restaurant, at The Riverwalk, among the first to launch the new menu and wine experiences.
Dan said: “People know Veeno for great food, wine and a warm welcome, but what has always set the brand apart is its connection to Sicily. With Nino back leading the wider business, there’s a real focus on the family vineyard and the recipes that inspired Veeno in the first place.
“Donna and I fell in love with that story when we took on the franchise. Being able to tell customers exactly where the wines come from, and the history and heritage behind every bottle, gives people a genuine connection to what they’re enjoying. We’re proud to be part of this new chapter and to bring an even more authentic taste of Sicily to Durham.”
As part of the changes, around 70% of the wine list will now be sourced from the Caruso & Minini family vineyard in Marsala, where four generations of the family have been producing wine for more than 100 years.
Meanwhile, a new Step into Our Cellar experience will guide guests through six wines, each one paired with Sicilian dishes. The expanded wine list includes Perluci, a white wine made from Perricone – traditionally a red grape variety – alongside Sirà Syrah and Ayra, a limited-edition sparkling wine.
New Sicilian dishes include grilled lamb skewers with Sicilian herbs and crushed Tuscan potatoes; Sicilian sausage with roasted crushed potatoes; Trofie pasta with traditional Genovese pesto and green beans; and Tiramisù al Limoncello.
Nino founded Veeno after bringing his family’s wines from Sicily to the UK, creating a concept centred around sharing authentic food, wine and hospitality.
“Over time, we felt the business, which has five sites including Durham, was beginning to be perceived as a chain, and that’s something we wanted to move away from,” said Nino, who studied management at Durham University Business School. “Veeno has always been about sharing a little piece of Sicily with every guest who walks through our doors. It began with my family’s vineyard, our wines and the recipes I grew up with, and that’s the heart of the business I wanted to return to.
“Bringing more of our own wines into every Veeno and celebrating traditional Sicilian dishes allows us to share more of that story with our guests. Our vineyard has been part of my family’s life for more than a century, so every glass of wine has a history behind it. I’m delighted Dan and Donna are bringing that heritage to life here in Durham.”
