Category: ITALIAN FOOD

2 places to go for the best Italian and Greek desserts in Melbourne

cannoli on a table

Australia’s prized Mediterranean heritage comes fully into into its own category of awesomeness when you turn your gaze to the food. From the roadside delis of Oakleigh to the gastronomy of the CBD and the full-on production houses of the northern suburbs, there’s no surprise Greek, Italian and Mediterranean food is right up there on Melburnians’ list of ‘must-eats’. But, what about dessert? For those more sugar-inclined, there’s never a reason to overlook the desserts from that region of the world and thankfully, Lukumades (Greek) and Cannoleria (Italian) are filling the gap. Lukumades is – as the name suggests – known for their traditional Greek doughnuts, vehicles for all the sauces and toppings your heart could desire. In fact, they’re so desired that Lukumades has just opened five shops in Indonesia on top of their outlets in Melbourne. They can’t get enough and it’s easy to see why – they’ve taken the traditional lukumade recipe, which is normally served with honey syrup and crushed walnuts, and Australianised it. They look incredible. And if it’s something with a bit more crunch you’re after, that’s where the Italians step in, with their little pockets of deliciousness: the cannoli. The Melburnian Cannoleria was created in 2018 by That’s Amore Cheese; the brand specialises in the traditional Sicilian dessert where the delicate tubes of golden, crunchy pastry are filled fresh daily with That’s Amore Ricotta. We’re getting excited about them again, because on top of their usual quality array of desserts, they’re producing some themed ones for those die-hard… Read More

Underrated Italian gem I Maccheroni has a new home in Woollahra Sydney

Maccheroni restaurant

If love were tangible, it would be found in the form of the perfectly pillowy spinach tortelli with burnt butter, crispy sage, and Parmigiano Reggiano at I Maccheroni. Formerly located in Rose Bay, the Italian diner is now situated just off Oxford Street on Woollahra’s Jersey Road. Owned and helmed by ex-Otto and Pendolino chef Marcello Farioli who hails from Modena, Italy, I Maccheroni serves up high-quality, unpretentious, seasonal, homemade Italian fare. The menu focuses on Italian staples and is continually changing, however, there are a few mainstays. The aforementioned divine spinach tortelli, as well as a mushroom arancini, and a tiramisu. Naturally, there’s also always a maccheroni option on offer, with this constantly rotating. With a commitment to seasonal dining, I Maccheroni always has blackboard specials in addition to the regular menu (if you’re lucky enough to visit on a day when the Cacio e Pepe is on offer, this is a must-order dish!). Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, with lunch on Saturdays, the two-level Woollahra joint is a homely yet elevated experience. The venue is a step up from the former long-tabled communal dining setting of the Rose Bay location; I Maccheroni in Woollahra spans two levels and features a bar, upstairs function or dining space, and more intimate small table seating options, all in a fine-dining worthy grey, blue and timber setting. Unlike its former location, I Maccheroni in Woollahra is now fully licensed, and features a substantial wine list with bottles hailing from both Italy and Australia, as well as… Read More

100 years of Negroni: Strazzanti London hosts a new supper club in the city

Fratelli Fresh Negroni cocktail drink Sydney 2

Over an exclusive four nights from 24-30 June, Strazzanti – London’s Italian restaurant haven – will host an homage to the humble Negroni; the drink of champions. 100 years ago, the drink was concocted for the first time, cementing itself in the history books as a drink of refinement and taste and the prime use for Italy’s most renowned export (other than pasta), Campari. Chef Emilia Strazzanti has collaborated with Campari and Gin Ondina to coincide with Negroni Week (24th-30th June 2019) in east London’s drinking den TT Liquor, where they’ll host an Italian-inspired supper club, complete with a four-course dinner, cocktail pairings and bespoke Italian installations. From 26-29 June, The Sicilian Supper Club will be an intimate and relaxed setting to celebrate the evolution of the Negroni, amongst decorations by McQueens Florist that’ll transform the space into a botanical wonderland, filled with delicate trailing foliage, potted herbs, prickly pear plants, and a window display of lush greenery. Menu for the four days includes the best of this season’s produce along with showcasing the fresh, diverse and yet the simplicity of mediterranean flavours from Italy. Think, an assortment of Aperitivo and Stuzzichini, including Zucchine with Almonds, and heavenly deep-fried Primo Sale cheese, with honey and Sicilian oregano, which will be enjoyed with an Ondina Basil G&T. Other antipasti plates will include crowd-pleasing wild fennel, pork belly and mozzarella croquettes, Capulitatu & fresh tomatoes with Sicilian oregano & fresh buffalo Ricotta cheese; served with E5s Hackney Wild Bread. The sharing plates will be served with an… Read More

Daphne’s of Chelsea celebrates turning 55 in great style

Daphnes dining room

Fifty-five years ago, Daphne Rye, a prolific theatre agent in London, started up Daphne’s in Chelsea. It’s the place locals and visitors go for assured quality Italian fare, right in the heart of London in a style all its own. This year, Daphne’s celebrates its anniversary and they’re doing it in a number of must-see ways. Daphne’s is made up of three spaces, the restaurant, bar and conservatory, all of which will play their part in helping the institution make the most of its special time of year. The drink Daphnes’ bar team has designed the aptly titled, 55 Years Young, a new cocktail which can be ordered alongside the restaurant’s unique birthday dessert, Young at Heart, seasonal fruit encased in a chocolate box. Chelsea Flower Show In a unique take on how to celebrate the city’s renowned Chelsea Flower Show, Daphne’s has teamed up with Wedgwood, the fine bone china folks. Wedgwood was started in 1964 and so celebrating its own anniversary this year, too. Makes sense for the two brands to join forces – floral influence included – and so have done so by creating a special dessert and outside installation collaboration. Wedgwood’s Iconic Wild Strawberry design will serve as the inspiration for the dessert; a wild strawberry inspired dessert, available throughout the week from Tuesday 21 May to Saturday 25 May that will be served on the wild strawberry design plate. Iconic. Floral installation Considering the Chelsea Flower Show, Daphne’s will cover the restaurant’s Draycott Avenue facade with a quintessentially British floral… Read More

Strazzanti London: Hackney Coffee Company & Campari UK launching The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo

Woman picking up an Italian canapae

Strazzanti Italian restaurant in London have joined up this Saturday 18 May with their friends Hackney Coffee House for their latest Sicilian dining experience, focusing on good food, great drinks and even greater times as the sun begins to show itself more and more. Appropriately called The Sicilian Summer Aperitivo, it’s a staring point for the summertime session with more dates to come, but it’ll be a celebration of all the things we love about our longer London days and the Italian influence of venues like Hackney Coffee Company. There’s a special menu that’ll be served too, curated by chef Emilia Strazzanti, that’ll draw upon her Sicilian heritage with a number of regional dishes just like her Grandparents would make. Emilia will be using locally sourced artisanal East London and Sicilian produce to produce three iconic food and drink stations. The food stations are: Stuzzichini Station featuring featuring crispy deep-fried Primo Sale cheese with honey & Sicilian oregano; beef and caper croquettes with salsa verde; bruschetta with tomatoes and Strazzanti Pesto Trapense; and pane cunzato with broccolli, garlic, chilli and anchovies. Enoteca Wine and Pasta Station Featuring aubergine timballo Siciliano, and fresh Pasta e Basta pasta with wild fennel Sicilian sausage ragu, while the Negroni and dessert station will offer a trio of cakes: Sicilian pistachio, almond, and hazelnut.  Sicilian red and white wine Aperol Spritz & Negroni Station  Available all evening. With an Aperol Spritz, Negroni or glass of wine in hand and plenty of food being served to stimulate the appetite, it’ll be a session worth experiencing. Tickets cost £45 per person and includes all food, 1 x… Read More

Celebrate Australia with food: South Australian dining series at MODE Kitchen and Bar

Francesco Mannelli Mode Kitchen 1

In the hotel lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, MODE Kitchen and Bar rules the roost – along with Grain Bar – in giving its guests and visitors one hell of a ride in gastronomy. A part of the hotel’s Celebrate Australia dining series, head chef Francesco Mannelli has played with some of the finest fare – and seasonally-based, geographically sourced goods from down under – the country has to offer. It hails from South Australia, really heroing a lot of what the state has to offer. And for an Italian, Mannelli really loves what it does; adding a lot of variety to food he knows well and loves to work with. For Mannelli, simplicity is key when working with such incredible produce. He notes that the best way to highlight an ingredient that is already special on its own, is to create a dish with a good balance of flavour, a contrast in texture and respects the produce. Guests dining on the new menu can experience dishes like sautee Coorong Pippies, served with spicy sausages from Calabria, karkalla and grilled focaccia; a grilled hard to source cut in the form of a Mayura Station Wagyu Tri Tip MB 9+ with roasted balsamic onions; Hiramasa kingfish sashimi with sweet and sour sauce, macadamia and pickled onion and a South Australian kangaroo loin, crusted with crushed Tasmanian pepper, warigal greens and beetroot. “It is one of Mode Kitchen & Bar’s key philosophy to work with local produce, showcasing to our International and domestic clientele…. Read More