Overview
After ten years of dedicated service and countless boozy bring-your-own sessions, much-loved Italian restaurant Pane e Vino closed its doors in August. Owner Tito Cucciniello put the closure of the Williamson Avenue space down to a change in rent from the landlord.
While dedicated followers have still been able to enjoy a taste of regional Puglia at sibling eatery Bella Verona in Ponsonby Food Court, it's been a long, pizza-less three months for some as they wait for the relocation of the sit-down BYO restaurant. The good news is here as Pane e Vino finds a permanent home across the road from its former location.
Found inside the iconic brick building at 1 Williamson Avenue, the new Pane e Vino will be spread across two floors. Built in 1889, the structure originally served as council chambers before being transformed into a fire station. It's had its fair share of occupants since, including a bakery and variety of restaurants and cafes.
The open-air area of the second floor will be reserved for celebrations of between 15-18 people with an Italian buffet. Indoors it will welcome casual a la carte diners and large groups of ten, for which the set menu will be compulsory. Cucciniello also revealed that there will now be actual wine glasses for those planning on bringing their own vino.
Elsewhere, it will be business as usual for the Italian trattoria. You won't be stuck for choice with 39 pizza options available, including the closed calzone and ripena varieties, and a range of authentic pasta dishes from southern Italy.
The landline is now hooked up and bookings are being taken in the lead up to the new year.
Pane e Vino 2.0 will be open at 1 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn from 1 December, 2018.