Tuesday, 3 October, will see Prahran’s beloved Italian espresso bar Officine Zero transform into Officina Gastronomica Italiana (OGI).
The new and improved venue will double its footprint and add an evening menu to its offering, along with brand new breakfast and lunch menus, seamlessly taking diners from day to night.
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Stepping off Prahran’s leafy Hawksburn Village and into the bright and airy space, guests will first be greeted by a sweeping counter, taking centre stage in the enoteca’s rustic red-brick interior. In the evening, patrons will be invited to prop themselves at the bar for a glass of artisan Italian wine before being guided to their table to embark on an evening of classic Italian fare. OGI’s floor-to-ceiling wall of wine will provide an impressive backdrop to the evening’s conversation, replicating the charm and authenticity of Italy’s enotecas.
Owner, Emilia-Romagna born Claudio Casoni, shares, “Beginning as a humble espresso bar in 2014, I always had a bigger vision for Officine Zero. Sustainability and the preciousness of old fashioned conviviality has always been integral to my life and after ten years of Officine Zero, our new Officina – which translates as ‘workshop’ in Italian – is our way of introducing the philosophy of my land to the Melbourne dining scene. My hope is to promote the important connection between the artisan, the land and its produce and the customer, in a context of true enjoyment of food and authentic conviviality inspired by my heritage”.
Diners will be able to graze upon perfect pillows of gnocco fritto, accompanied by salty slices of cured capocollo and pecorino dolce, or delectable potato and truffle croquette. Housemade focaccia, a staple in any Italian kitchen, will come warm and fluffy, alongside Sicilian extra virgin olive oil and cherry tomato conserva.
Sharing plates of 18-month-cured Prosciutto San Daniele, sliced to order with the Officina’s traditional Berkel flywheel, will be served ‘family-style’, along with dishes of charred asparagus on a bed of cannellini and lemon puree topped with toasted pistachios. For a taste of home, Nonna’s meatballs will come piping hot, a cherished recipe from Head Chef Gabriele Coniglio’s childhood.
Gabriele’s pasta, ‘fatta in casa’, will offer guests a taste of rustic Italian cooking, with dishes and pasta shapes that will change with the seasons. The opening menu will see bowls of red spaghetti with Australian Rock Lobster, a semi-dried medley of tomatoes and lemon zest, as well as pumpkin ravioli finished with truffle ricotta, pancetta and a burnt butter sage sauce.
Those looking for something sweet will be pleasantly ‘picked-up’ by OGI’s signature tiramisu, made with marsala and its signature artisan espresso, or able to indulge in a slice of ‘torta del giorno’.
Just in time for Spring, OGI’s outdoor courtyard will provide the perfect place to sit and sip on one of Claudio’s hand-selected aperitif wines from Emilia-Romagna. Showcasing some of the finest natural wine makers of his region, the curated wine list will transport diners to the quaint courtyards and bustling bars of Italy.
In addition, OGI will be offering brand new breakfast, deli and lunch menus. Classic Italian morning biscuits will accompany its renowned artisan espresso, Terzi, including cornetti, bomboloni, cannoli, biscotti. Those looking for something more substantial can opt for steaming bowls of polenta porridge, traditional Tuscan baked eggs with slow-braised Wagyu beef, or Italian porcini mushrooms on seeded sourdough, spread liberally with freshly made basil pesto and topped with poached egg.
Available to takeaway or eat in, OGI’s new deli section will include freshly made pizzas, panini, seasonal salads and a range of Italian cold cuts, salumi and cheeses.
Casoni shares, “Officina Gastronomica Italiana encapsulates what we are about. Our new place is an Italian gastronomic workshop, where we select and handle Italian artisan products that we serve in the context of an Emilia-Romagna enoteca, renowned for being cool yet casual and welcoming. It is a place where people can come any time of the day to celebrate authentic Italian food, wine, espresso and a good life.”
Officina Gastronomica Italiana will open from 6:30am – 3:00pm every Monday
and 6:30am – 3:00pm and 5:30pm – 10:00pm Tuesday to Sunday. Book here.
