LOCATIONCorner of Compton and Calam Roads at the Pacific Centre.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIARestaurateur Peter Volpe has been in the restaurant business since his late teens, and knows the hospitality industry inside-out. So it’s no wonder his move from Melbourne to Brisbane has been met with resounding success. Being situated in the heart of suburbia is a factor in his restaurant’s current success, and people travelling miles to try Peter’s traditional Italian dishes. Decorated with fresh flowers, soft lighting and a baby grand piano, Cucina of Italy sets the scene for a delicious night out.
Now licensed until 2am, Cucina of Italy is a great place for all sorts of events, including weddings, Christmas parties and special events like the Melbourne Cup. The menu leaves nothing (Italian) out, with the most popular meal by far being the “feed the man” pizza with its grandiose topping of sausage, beef, salami, ham, chicken, mushroom, olives and mozzarella. For those who love the rich flavour of an Italian main, the vitello con funghi can’t be beaten. The baby veal escalopes pan-fried in a sauce of sweet Marsala wine with mushrooms is a chef’s special and stands out on Cucina of Italy’s already mouth-watering menu.
Ilana Tulloch