Carmine & Co

Carmine & Co was once a bank. Now, with its wrought-iron mezzanine and a striking two-storey mural of Italy carved out on the wall, it feels more like you’re in Calabria.

Carmine and Melina Misale opened the doors in 2016 with help from their sons. It’s just down the road from the old Carmine’s Restaurant. Nine months and 30,000 bricks later, they’ve captured the ambiance of a rustic Italian warehouse with modern flair.

Huge windows spill light throughout, across exposed brick and natural timbers. There are indoor and alfresco dining options plus the adjoining takeaway. A cleverly hidden dumbwaiter services the mezzanine.

The menu has been equally refined to focus on simple, Southern Italian cuisine made under the watchful eye of Nonna Vicky. Pizza, pasta, antipasti and other mains are supplemented by cured meats and artisan cheeses.

At almost two metres long, the Il Pranzo platter serves at least six and highlights the restaurant’s finest creations, such as pistachio-crusted chicken, chargrilled porterhouse and the signature eggplant lasagne. Hearty flavours abound, enhanced with fresh herbs grown on site. The bread is baked in-house daily.

The drinks list includes a mix of lighter Italian wines and heavier South Australian reds. But do like the Italians do and order an aperitivo before your meal, and a digestivo afterwards.