The hospitality legends behind Sydney’s acclaimed Ormeggio at The Spit and A’mare will open their newest venue in the former One Penny Red site in Summer Hill on 13 September.
Postino Osteria is set to deliver a classic, comforting yet refined Italian neighbourhood experience, led by chef Alessandro Pavoni and his well-oiled team.
“A good neighbourhood osteria is something nobody should be denied,” says Pavoni. “A great local osteria is a home away from home. That’s what we are looking to bring to Summer Hill with Postino Osteria.”
Postino Osteria’s tight menu is an ode to Italian posts of old. Snack on thick and creamy Murray cod baccala served with golden, crisp polenta chips and a playful Wagyu tonnato as antipasti, before moving to a creative, curly gigli served with King prawns, Pilu bottarga and orange zest, or perhaps something more traditional, like spaghettione con pallottoline: home-made spaghetti with meatballs in a traditional Abruzzese meatball sauce.
And could this cosy little love letter be complete with a classic saltimbocca? At Postino Osteria, it’s served big, and designed to share; swimming in a silky sage and white wine sauce and topped with crisp, house-cut prosciutto. For secondi, you’ll also find John Dory alla mugnaia, and fava bean purée underscoring a Pugliese-style chicory ripassata. Bueno.
Housed in a heritage listed post office, the name Postino is a play on words, as it means postman in Italian, as well as a “small but cozy place”.
Pavoni and his wife Anna are regarded as one of Australia’s leading hospitality power couples, with Anna managing back-of-house operations while Pavoni runs the kitchen. In 2021, the couple opened A’mare at Crown Sydney, earning widespread acclaim, including a nomination for Best New Restaurant at the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards.
Ormeggio at The Spit has long been regarded as one of Sydney’s leading Italian fine-diners, after first opening in 2009. In 2020, it underwent a major refurbishment and moved to a seafood-only menu, including a slow-cooked seafood bolognese ragú.
One Penny Red made headlines last year when it announced it was closing on New Year’s Eve, following a 10-year run as one of Sydney’s most beloved neighbourhood bistros. At the time, the team said they wanted to “go out on top” and chose not to renew the lease on the heritage site.
Postino Osteria is now open and is taking bookings at their website postino.au
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