Amatrice

Ten levels up with panoramic views from the CBD to the Dandenong Ranges, Amatrice (above street-level Caffe Amatrice) takes cues from Soho House in LA. Designed by Brahman Perera (Hopper Joint, Entrecote, Gigi), the moody fit-out features deep-red marble tables juxtaposed with breezy linen awnings, pleated lampshades and a wraparound rooftop garden.

The menu is largely Roman with a focus on the flavours of Amatrice, a town in the Lazio region, around 200 kilometres from the Italian capital. Order one of Rome’s classic sauces – cacio e pepe, carbonara, gricia or all’amatriciana – with spaghetti or mezze maniche (short rigatoni) imported from the venue’s namesake town.

Amatrice also has a an exclusive licence to import the Marche region’s regionally protected egg pasta tp Australia. You can, of course, get other egg pasta locally – but what sets this style apart is the slow air-drying process and higher-than-average egg ratio.