Orazio D’Elia, the man behind Bondi’s Da Orazio, began his adventure in the world of Italian sweets two years ago with the opening of Mia Dolci in Alexandria. Now the sole owner, D’Elia is giving the site a refresh, reopening as Da Orazio Pasticceria and bringing his family of stores under the Orazio name. “I feel great … it was always meant to be like that,” D’Elia tells Broadsheet.

The Italian chef-restaurateur has changed up the bakery's offering, focusing on traditional Italian pastries while also incorporating French techniques. His signature maritozzi, brioche buns filled with orange and vanilla cream, are the headline. “The maritozzi is getting a big thumbs-up from everybody,” he says. “They’re going ‘Oh my god, I tried this in Rome, it’s so beautiful to have it here now’.”

Other treats include cannoncini, northern Italy’s version of cannoli, where pastry’s wrapped around whipped cream, chocolate and coconut and then baked. “There’s also tette della Monaca from Puglia,” says D’Elia. “It’s this beautiful soft sponge full of pistachio crème and a pistachio Nutella outside – delicious.”

We think you might like Access. For $12 a month, join our membership program to stay in the know.

SIGN UP

From now till the end of June, D’Elia’s giving his local Bondi fans a sneak peek of the pasticceria’s goods – “so they can experience what we do right at their doorstep” – via a pop-up in a side room of his restaurant.

Known for his contributions to Sydney’s pizza scene, D’Elia has enjoyed getting stuck into sweets for a change. “It’s a totally different ballgame, you start very early in the morning” he says with a laugh. “You discover some new passions even when you are over 40.” He also had praise for his new pastry team: Antonio Giotta, hailing from southern Italy, and Andrea Manna from the north. “I’ve got two beautiful boys with me,” he says. “I’m learning a lot.”

D’Elia’s dedication to nailing the classic Italian desserts is clear – he even took his son on a research trip to Italy. “He’s this little guy who loves his sweets … it just put a smile on my face,” he says. He hopes to bring the same joy to Sydney, making people’s “morning just beautiful and happy”.

The rebranded Alexandria digs have all the usual pastries, alongside made-to-order cakes and focaccia paninis – and there’s still plenty of time to pop into the beachside pop-up, which is open daily from 8am. “If you’re planning a trip to Italy and you want a little taste of it in Bondi, stop by for some sweets and caffe.”

Da Orazio Pasticceria
200 Euston Road, Alexandria

Hours:
Mon to Fri 8am–3pm
Sat 9am–1pm

daoraziopasticceria.com.au
@da_orazio_pasticceria