Chef Benard here to tell you: No Italian espresso bar is complete without a slab of timeless beauty at its heart. And for Vecchia Gelato & Café, that beauty is Carrara marble. This week, after months of planning, shipping, and careful installation, our gleaming new bar top has taken its place in the café. Let me tell you, it’s not just a countertop—it’s a piece of history, art, and geology, all rolled into one stunning surface. 

From the Apuan Alps to Hoover 

Our bar top’s journey began high in the Apuan Alps of Tuscany, where Carrara marble has been quarried since before the Roman Empire. Can you believe it? Over 190 million years ago, layers of ancient limestone were transformed by intense pressure and heat into the luminous metamorphic rock we know today. 

This region of Italy produces more marble than anywhere else in the world, earning its nickname: “white gold.” I get chills just thinking about it. Michelangelo himself walked these same quarries, hand-selecting stone to carve his masterpieces—including the legendary David. Centuries later, those same quarries became the backdrop for a high-speed Aston Martin chase in the James Bond film Spectre. Talk about star power. 

A Touch of Italian Grandeur 

Carrara marble isn’t just famous—it’s iconic. Its soft white background and elegant gray veining have graced the palaces of emperors, the halls of Renaissance art, and now… the espresso bar of Vecchia Café. 

For Brianna and me, Chef Benard Tamburello, choosing Carrara marble was never about following a trend. It was about continuing a story. Every cup of espresso poured over this marble connects our Hoover café to the timeless traditions of Italy. It’s the same stone that shaped civilizations, sculpted legends, and inspired generations of artisans. 

A Bar Worth Swooning Over 

As the installers carefully lowered the slab into place, there was a moment where I felt like the entire café held its breath. The natural light hit the veining just right—and suddenly, it wasn’t just a bar anymore. It was a statement. A promise. A love letter to Italy. 

Whether you’re sipping a perfectly pulled espresso, enjoying a silky scoop of gelato, or lingering over a spritz with friends, this Carrara marble bar is where it all happens—it’s the heart of Vecchia Café. 

Come see it for yourself!