The Italian Mildura

A wonderful food representation of Mildura's Calabrian and Sicilian migrant community! The lunchtime Paninoteca is popular with locals and visitors, with tasty Ciabatta rolls made to order and filled full of flavour using local ingredients grown and supplied from the region's small-scale producers. In the kitchen Sandra Imbesi draws from her parents and family for inspiration. Her mother Rosa, from Calabria and her father John from Sicily are big influences of the food, keeping them grounded with recipes from their respective hometowns. Brad Fyfe compliments Sandra with over 35 years of kitchen experience. His love of Australian produce and insistence on use of local foods is evident throughout the menu. His experience in Italian cuisine includes previous appointments as Executive Chef for Stefano de Pieri. The Italian transforms into an "Occasional Restaurant" every 2nd Saturday night as it hosts a traditional Southern Italian Banchetto. The six course event begins at 6:30pm and the menu changes each month. Aligned with the informal and relaxed atmosphere their house wines are all local Italian varietals, uniquely unfiltered and served in humble water glasses. Just like at home in Italy. Simple and good. Sandra and Brad have ensured that high-quality Melbourne-style coffee, by Seven Seeds Coffee Roasters. Handmade cannoli are made daily and are very popular. Many visitors come back to grab a take-home pack for their return journey.