HOTEL FITZROY’S FLAGSHIP CAPPO SOCIALE IS CELEBRATING ITS FIRST BIRTHDAY: INRTRODUCING A NEW MODERN TAKE ON CLASSIC ITALIAN FAMILY FEASTING
Credit: Arianna Leggiero
This week, Fitzroy favourite Cappo Sociale pr:Ca-Poh, So-See-Ah-Leh), celebrates its first birthday, and with it, welcomes a new menu that takes a unique, and modern approach to traditional Italian fare, designed by the recently appointed Head Chef and native Puglian Davide Amato. Located at the city end of Brunswick Street, you’ll find Cappo Sociale on level one of Hotel Fitzroy, a multi-level hospitality venue that also houses some of Melbourne’s best authentic Japanese and a stellar rooftop.
As it enters its second lap around the sun, it’s placing an emphasis on share plates and family style feasts, mirroring a concept that its Japanese counterparts (Ichi Ni Izakaya and Ichi Ni Nana Izakaya) have successfully embraced for years. Bringing this same ethos along with some secret recipes, Cappo Sociale’s new ‘Piatto Sociale’ menu is reminisce of traditional Italian, family style feasting, with a modern spin designed to take the formalities away from the old school formula of entree, main and dessert.
A true nod to the ‘social’ in their namesake, the new menu translates to ‘shared plates’, with each dish designed to be passed and shared around the table, for guests to enjoy a journey through Italy and its regions, grazing on a variety of tastes and flavours.
Standout features include the ‘Tartare Di Manzo’, a grass-fed eye fillet tartare served on tapioca crackers with capsicum and nduja aioli, the ‘Gnocco Fritto’, a puffed pizza with grilled radicchio, stracciatella and candied walnuts, and the ‘Baccala Mantecato’, whipped cod with crispy polenta, onion agrodolce and parsley emulsion. A traditional style of eating within Italian homes, it’s best accompanied by great wine and lots of chatter, perfect for those looking for a drink and a quick bite, or equally those settling in for the night, wanting a bit of everything without having to commit to each and every dish.
Cappo Sociale’s menu doesn’t stop there – it’s broken into additional distinct sections, not dissimilar from those found in the motherland. Filled with the familiar, is decidedly focussed yet modern with an everchanging specials board keeping things interesting, heroing seasonal produce and limited edition products.
Cappo Sociale
Open from 5pm, 7 days a week
Level 1, 127 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
Website: https://capposociale.com.au/
RUSTICA QUEEN AND COLLINS
The team behind iconic Melbourne sourdough bakery and cafe Rustica have opened a new cafe and bakery in the heart of the Melbourne CBD, located on the prominent corner of Little Collins and Queen Street. The new arrival marks the fifth Rustica store in Melbourne for Managing Director Brenton Lang and Director Drew Gibbs.
“With Melburnians filtering back into the city, we wanted to open in time to welcome them back. We are here to refuel and caffeinate the city with our new brunch menu, signature pastries and specialty coffee blend First Love Coffee,” says Brenton Lang, Managing Director of Rustica.
“Our new corner location accommodates seventy seats, so it’s a decent pit-stop for the city-workers and city-dwellers who want to dine-in or pick up a takeaway option,” says Director Drew Gibbs.
The kitchen team is led by Head Chef Chantelle Saba, who has worked with Rustica for more than seven years. In distinguishing the new Rustica venue, Saba has finessed the breakfast and brunch menu to offer a variety of rotating grab-and-go options for the fast-paced city worker.
“All the dishes were designed in mind to easily grab and devour in a lunch break,” says Saba.
Rustica Little Collins and Queen Street is open Monday to Friday, and caffeinating CBD workers and city-dwellers from 7am until 4pm.
Rustica Queen & Collins
Address: 104 Queen St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: rusticasourdough.com.au
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