Rossi

Rossi sits in-between evening and nightlife, transitioning from restaurant to bar throughout the evening. The Italian restaurant draws its casually lively atmosphere from exposed brick walls and the soundtrack playing through Tasmanian-made speakers from Pitt & Giblin (the Hobart audio company that’s made speakers for Waxflower and Stella’s). As the night evolves, the lights dim, upbeat music plays, and Rossi begins to feel more like a boisterous bar than an Italian restaurant.

The Italian-leaning menu is packed with surprises, such as a white duck ragu over casarecce. Burrata is served with roasted cherry tomato coulis and mushroom pasta arancini – fried balls made with mushroom pasta rather than the typical rice – are served with a pesto emulsion.

The menu will suits those just looking for pizza and pasta. The pizza list includes classics alongside a prawn Nerano pizza (named for a village on Italy’s Sorrento peninsula) topped with zucchini cream, smoked buffalo mozzarella, prawns, and fried zucchini. Pizza dough is made with imported Italian flour, but fluffy house-made gluten-free bases that hold their own against the traditional crusts are also available.

Classic Italian desserts round out the menu. Tiramisu is served tableside, and a selection of cannoli and gelati will rotate regularly. Alongside cocktails (and several non-alcoholic counterparts), there’s a list of local and old world wines and a selection of Italian beers.