Lagotto Is North Fitzroy's New All-Day Italian Pit Stop by the Future Future Crew

They nailed the contemporary wine bar brief with their Collingwood corner gem, Congress, then delivered design-driven mod-Japanese at Richmond's Future Future. Now, the siblings behind Milieu Hospitality have their shifted focus to Italy, for their new all-day Northside haunt Lagotto.

In the space below the group's newly hatched residential development Nth Fitzroy by Milieu, Katie and Michael McCormack have created a destination for all occasions and just about every hour of the day. With an influence that's undeniably Italian, it's a contemporary cafe, wine bar and food store that slips happily from morning to night, all week long.

Inside, design work by Flack Studio nods to those European sensibilities, boasting a charming assembly of glossy burgundy accents, sweeping curves, marble-topped benches and blush-hued terrazzo flooring.

Parker Blain

Mornings here see espressos and bellinis matched to the likes of a cavalo nero and asiago omelette, or cacio é pepe eggs with pancetta. The breakfast lineup is on offer until noon. Roll in at lunchtime for plates including a crisp pork cotoletta with slaw, a rich chicken cacciatore on soft polenta, and creamy buffalo mozzarella paired with pine nuts and caponata. Sandwiches, perhaps loaded with a combination of porchetta, cime di rapa and salmoriglio, are primed for lunch on the go.

But after a hefty day at work, it's the aperitivo offering that has locals flocking in to the York Street spot. From 3pm, settle in for a spritz and a grazing session, tucking into the likes of four-cheese arancini, a serve of meatballs and focaccia, or the selection of cheese and charcuterie. Classic cocktails star alongside a considered list of wine, on offer by the glass or the bottle.

And, if you'd like to take home more than just memories, check out the the food store selection. Affectionately known as Lagotto To-Go, the retail corner is filled with pantry essentials, take-home feasts and reasonably priced wine.

Find Lagotto at 1 York Street, North Fitzroy. It's open from 7am–7pm Monday–Wednesday, 7am–late Thursday–Friday, 8am–late Saturday and 8am–6pm Sunday.

Images: Parker Blain.