Smith Street stalwart Alimentari and neighbours Gorski and Jones have knocked down their adjoining wall and become one to bring a fusion of Italian and Mediterranean food goodness.
Divided into two halves, a hanging blackboard poses the question of eat in or takeaway. If takeaway is your desire then nothing has changed with the old Alimentari’s selection of deli-cross-foodstore delights still available. However, for the immediately hungry a turn to the left takes you to a full table service cafe with bar and courtyard. A large tapestry along the wall, exposed brickwork, open kitchen and fixtures all add to the European feel.
The food menu is equally immersive with a range of breakfast, lunch and paninis options that each have their own creative twists on common dishes. From sweet potato latkes with baba ghannooj and poached eggs to slow cooked baharat-rubbed lamb shoulder with skordalia, there is a dish to excite everyone.
I ordered the pan fried Tasmanian salmon with agrodolce, capers, rocket, confit cherry tomatoes and walnut purée on this visit. This is a stunning dish with the flavours of the juicy salmon with a crispy skin, sweet melt-in-your-mouth tomatoes and the mix of agrodolce (traditional Italian sweet and sour sauce) and the rich walnut purée all combining in an intriguing but tasty explosion.
Quality coffee from Veneziano, with a blend and single origin espresso and filter options available, complete this Smith Street gem.
For the Alimentari lovers who can’t be bothered cooking or anyone who wants to sample some European-inspired delights, the new and transformed Smith Street Alimentari is a must visit.