Parlour Cucina

Overview

Bringing fresh life and all-day Italian cuisine to the entrance of Sydney's QT is Parlour Cucina. While it'll continue serving the same coffee it poured in its previous guise, Parlour Lane Roasters cafe, Little Marionette, the food menu has had a complete makeover. Expect hearty and traditional Italian fare served from breakfast through till dinner.

Settle in on the banquette seating in the low-lit, elegant deco restaurant, then pick up a menu and start making some decision. We're happy that it's only two pages for breakfast (including drinks), and one page for lunch and dinner, because everything on it sounds delicious.

If you're dropping by first thing — with brekkie served until 11am — baked goods include lemon curd doughnuts ($7), banana and bran muffins ($9) and a cabinet filled with pastries. For something more substantial, opt for a melt with comté and gruyere cheese, ox heart tomatoes and seeded mustard white sauce ($17); a Milan club made from Berkshire organic gypsy ham and cheese square toast ($21); or a panini with truffled eggs, bacon, lemon spinach and a potato bun ($16). There's also a thick breakfast pizza, Margherita–style with free range egg and prosciutto ($8), plus drinks spanning fresh juices ($8), hot chocolate ($4.50), ten types of tea ($4.50–6), Mumm Champagne ($19), bellinis ($19) and bloody marys ($19).

From 11am onwards, start with the four cheese and spinach arancini ($14), perhaps, or the pepper and snapper carpaccio with blood orange, chilli and lemon balm ($22). Then, move on to the mains more pizza (including another prosciutto, tomato, asiago cheese and rocket variety for $19) or the lemon-crumbed parmigiana with fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil ($31).  Don't leave before trying a dessert of tiramisu ($16) or the chocolate chip gelato affogato ($12).

The extensive wine list means there's a drop for any preference, with glasses starting at $9 and bottles capping out at $160. Paired with food made from simple, fresh produce — and the 60s-era feel and heritage-listed decor — the result is flavoursome, old-school Italian fare and surroundings to satiate more than your belly.