LOCATIONOne of Brisbane’s Italian treasures easy to find on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets.
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAAnyone who was worked within the playground of central Brisbane, or wondered around her footpaths, has surely stumbled upon the iconic Italian ristorante, Pane E Vino. Owned and run by the Darinzo family who hail from the Abruzzo mountainous region in middle Italy – renowned for its rustic cooking, strong flavours and strong hospitality –Italian smiles and warm accents drift through the relaxed and casual little restaurant. Offering great breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee in-between, the reliable, friendly service has won the hearts of many regulars. The bustling tables out the front of the restaurant always brim with patrons and business people, tangled amid bowls of traditional pasta, fresh salads and clinking chalices of Merlot. The morning meal served until 11.30am covers any breakfast craving, with the crusty ciabatta toast adding a surprising little touch. And – I should point out – barista training must have been intense, as the coffee is just superb!
But it’s the genuine Italian lunch and dinner creations that make this a habitual place for most. Get stuck into a hearty serve of “gnocchi alla boscailol” with bacon, mushrooms and shallots immersed in a rosette sugo, or the “linguine pesto e pollo” – chicken in a creamy sugo with sun-dried tomato pesto, onion, baby spinach and a hint of cracked pepper. Succumb to the full Italian dinning experience with a sweet little drop of limoncello, a strong macchiato and a homemade share of Brisbane’s best (so the word has been spread) tiramisu – layers of savoiardi biscuits soaked in Italian coffee liqueurs, separated by a wicked blend of mascarpone and whipped cream. With a relaxed and casual atmosphere and true traditional Italian fare, it’s a pity work lunch breaks have to end!
Katharine Chapman, June 2009