Overview
Two years, two parts of Brisbane, three places for an Italian bite and sip. That's the equation behind chef and restaurateur Ashley-Maree Kent's culinary footprint since 2022, when she opened Ramona Trattoria in Coorparoo. In late 2023, right next door on Leicester Street, Bar Rocco also launched. Now, Kent is crossing the river for her next venture Sbagliata, making Portside Wharf the latest home for her restaurant empire.
Just like Kent, Portside is no stranger to swinging open doors recently. The inner-north precinct's current $20-million revamp saw Rise Bakery, Rosé Gelateria, Birds Nest Yakitori and Fosh all set up shop at the Hamilton spot in 2023. Portside Social, a gastropub from the Newstead Social crew, is also on the way. It's due mid-2024, as is Sbagliata.
Drawn to Portside Wharf for its waterside location, Kent has taken the space next to the seafood-focused Fosh, with the 174-square-metre site now undergoing a $2.2-million fitout. There's no firm opening date for Sbagliata yet, but Alkot Studio are doing the design work on a restaurant that takes its cues from the real thing: Italian eateries in Italy.
"For me, Italian food is all about family, friends and welcoming people you don't know to your table. This is the experience I want to recreate at Sbagliata, giving customers the opportunity to come together over a shared love for food and good company," said Kent.
"The fitout will reflect this vision, with design features straight out of those cozy ristorante spots by the coast, like an open kitchen with its own pasta room, wood and coal grill, bright and inviting interiors, and room for 120 customers to relax and enjoy."
With hand-shaped pasta a drawcard at Ramona Trattoria — and one of the reasons that it has become such an inner-east favourite — of course it will be on Kent's Sbagliata spread as well.
"Our menu boasts a thoughtfully curated variety of comforting woodfired dishes; there is something for everyone to enjoy," Kent noted.
"We'll also have an extensive wine list featuring Italian and Australian wines, as well as a range of cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks."
Find Sbagliata at Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton, sometime in mid-2024 — keep an eye on the Portside Wharf website for further details.