In Paratico, near Lake Iseo, a small, romantic 1930s-style station has been transformed into a charming bistro, flower boutique and confectionery shop.
From the passion for flowers and hospitality, in 2017 Alberto Marini with his Swedish wife Ulrika Pettersson opened Bohem La Stazione, a concept store and bistro housed in the small train station of the town, closed in 1966 and fully recovered according to a brilliant vision.
The philological restoration, carried out by the architect Guido Ferrari and interior designer Ernesto Pigni, has given life to a unique place in the world that has kept intact the déco charm of the structure, preserving the original valuable details such as the clock, the grit of the floors, the Sarnico stone staircase and the railings.
We are united by the passion for flowers, the cult of beauty and hospitality, at Bohem nothing is really left to chance.
The furnishing of the three souls of Bohem, the Flower Boutique, the Cafeteria and the Confectionery shop, was therefore completed thanks to the collaboration with the Pedrali design company, founded in 1963 by Mario Pedrali in nearby Palazzolo sull’Oglio, which has supplied some of its most iconic design pieces with a vintage allure such as the velvet armchairs, the Giravolta lights, inspired by the lanterns of the past, and the Nolita chairs in tubular steel, which refer to the first industrial design, for the outdoor area.
A space so unique and charming that it has been the scene of many photoshoots and collaborations with fashion and design magazines, such as the one with Marie Claire Maison which every month hosts a column on flowers held by Ulrika and Alberto.
La Bohem is the ideal place for an aperitif or to book a brunch with friends based on artfully cooked eggs such as Benedict and Croque Monsieur or main courses such as beef tartare or amberjack fillet, obviously made even more beautiful thanks to an ever-present (edible!) floral touch.
The upper floor is dedicated to lunches and dinners, the ground floor to the flower boutique and confectionery shop, while the outdoor veranda in particular for easy lunches and aperitifs. In the summer you can seat al fresco under the rows of industrial lights in the area in front of the station, just above the old railway tracks. A place of great charm to drink a cocktail while waiting to see the romantic Sebino Express steam train that stops a little farther on, leaving from Milano Centrale, which is part of the tourist service project of historic trains promoted by the Lombardy Region.
And if the charm of the old stations has made you feel like wondering about, near Bohem it is worth making a stop at Montisola on Lake Iseo, the largest lake island in Italy with views worthy of the most famous Rivieras in southern Europe.
The Secret
The first floor of the station was once the home of the stationmaster and today, in what was his old kitchen, the professional one of the bistro has been refurbished.
Useful Info
Bohem La Stazione
Via Roma 15
25030 Paratico, Brescia
Tel. +39 035 4261001
Cocktails: from 8 euro
Eggs, club sandwiches & co: from 13 euro
Second courses: from 15 euro
