Overview
Last year, we bid farewell to Scott Pickett's renowned Collingwood fine diner Saint Crispin. Now, the acclaimed chef has announced his new plans for the dynamic Smith Street space — and it's unlike any of his other Melbourne restaurants.
Opening its doors as Lupo (which means 'wolf' in Italian) on Tuesday, June 4, the new project sees the prolific restaurateur and chef revisit his love for pasta and Italian fare, inspired by years of culinary training back in London. Here, the mind behind Estelle, Pickett's Deli and Matilda will be breaking slightly from his signature style to deliver a celebration of classic Italian flavours, spiked with local ingredients and a touch of modern Australian flair.
Daily house-made pasta will be the undisputed star of the show here. Get excited for the likes of squid ink linguine with bottarga and a sardine vinaigrette, decadent spanner crab lasagne, cappelletti with hare and celeriac, and a risotto of Western Australian black truffle and cipolla onion. There'll be Italian-inspired snacks, too, including toasts topped with 'nduja, fermented tomato and anchovy
The menu will be a collaboration between Pickett, Pickett and Co's Executive Chef Stuart McVeigh and Head Chef Charlie Watson, who previously worked together at London's Michelin-starred The Square restaurant.
Meanwhile, a 120-strong wine list will focus on Aussie drops crafted from Italian varietals, with a strong lineup of drops by the glass. Get excited, also, for a barrel-aged negroni made with an Australian take on Campari, which will feature among a cocktail selection of rejigged classics and signature blends.
True to form, this latest Pickett space will be one of understated elegance, the 60-seat space brought to life with pops of orange and forest green.
Find Lupo at 300 Smith Street, Collingwood from June 4.
Images: Peter Dillon