It’s a long weekend and the entire Romeo family has been up since 4am, rolling meatballs.
“It was a whole crew,” John-Paul Romeo tells Broadsheet. “My aunties and my Nonna were making the meatballs and getting the sauce ready. Nonna is really picky when it comes to the quality of her sauce.”
The early morning start is all in service of Romeo’s dream to open Ino Paninoteca, a savoury sibling to his Prospect dessert bar, The Cannoli Box Co.
Ino, which opened last weekend, serves everything from pastries and towers of traditional zeppole to pizza served by-the-slice and topped with prosciutto, sundried tomatoes, olives, and artichokes or mortadella, rocket, and pistachio.
But as the name would suggest, panini are the main event. The cuzzetiello Napoletano is a childhood favourite and the dish Romeo is proudest to serve. Nonna Tina’s meatballs are packed into panini pockets with lashings of zingy Napoletana sauce, fresh basil, and parmesan.
It’s served alongside an unfussy menu of fresh flavours and local ingredients – an approach inspired by Romeo’s Italian grandparents. Ciabatta comes stuffed with combinations like prosciutto, burrata and truffle paste; chicken cotoletta with provolone and peppers; and hot sopressa and chilli mayo. Or choose a toasted focaccia with tonno, mozzarella and pickled zucchini, or funghi, taleggio and baby spinach.
Above the Italian marble countertop, there’s a selection of pantry staples: condiments, pickles, and sauces.
“My older brother lives in Melbourne. We went to visit him and check out a few cafes and panini bars down there to see what ingredients they were using and selling,” says Romeo. The most popular so far are Quinby’s chilli honey, local favourite Mr Olio, Fancy Hank’s sauces and Acide’s ferments and pickles.
Lining the back wall are photos of Romeo and wife Liana’s grandparents. “Looking at all our grandparents, especially those who aren’t with us today, means a lot to my wife and me. On our opening day, I’d catch a glimpse of those photos and it made me feel too proud of where we are today.”
Ino Paninoteca
102 Churchill Road, Prospect
0432268308
Hours:
Daily 9.30am–3pm
