It’s a sad and mystifying fact that Australia hasn’t adopted the three-hour-lunch-and-siesta tradition of Southern Europe, but at least we can eat like true Italians during our measly single hour, courtesy of all-day eatery Fatto’s new deli.
Expanding on their existing riverside bar and cantina, the deli will be serving time-pressed CBD workers affordable, lunch-rush ready dishes that can either be eaten in or taken back to the desk to inspire serious office envy.
They’re building antipasto plates filled with Ortiz and Pollastrini sardines, Bocarte anchovies, salumi and cheeses, as well as dishing out a weekly-rotating selection of Mediterranean-style salads such as farro, lentils, pomegranate, cucumber and ricotta salata. Those on a protein kick can also add poached chicken or tuna to their bowl for $5.
For the walk-and-eat crowd, the deli will also be pumping out a range of panino – there’s a chunky porchetta number with apple, fennel, coleslaw, fontina and salsa verde; or try the pimped up tuna melt made with Ortiz tuna, mayo, spring onion and provolone on seven grain bread. Best of all, they’re all under $15, so you’ll have more spare change for your #Europe2k18TravelFund.
And as for drinks, well, is it Friday? There’re Negronis on tap. Is it Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday? There’re still Negronis on tap.
Round things off with a traditional handmade Italian pastry. You can’t go wrong with bomboloni, Italian doughnuts filled with custard or Nutella, or a neat slice of tiramisu.
Photograph: supplied
After all that carb loading, we’ve never wished for a siesta more.
The Fatto Deli is open Monday to Friday noon-5pm, 100 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004.
Love a good pizza, pasta or panino? Here are the best Italian restaurants in Melbourne.