Coming Soon: Flora and Mister Grotto Are Set to Bring Elevated Vegetarian Cuisine and Seafood Dining to Australia Street
Paisano & Daughters, the team behind Continental Deli, is adding two side-by-side venues to its thriving Newtown hub.
Bringing even more stellar cuisine to Australia Street in Newtown, much-loved hospitality group Paisano & Daughters is ready to launch two neighbouring ventures, Flora and Mister Grotto. Joining the renowned Continental Deli, which opened in 2015, this family business has slowly revitalised more of the historic H. May building with side-by-side eateries, creating a like-minded culinary hub.
Delving into the new additions, Flora is an all-day vegetarian restaurant with a sustainable edge. Guided by head chef Jude Hughes, his background working in eco-conscious venues like Byron Bay's Three Blue Ducks and The Summertown Aristologist ensures diners can expect inventive veggie dishes, where local and seasonal ingredients are pushed to their flavoursome limits. Think fermentation, house-made vinegars and wood-fired goodness on every plate.
The drinks menu is an all-Australian affair, with a curated selection of wine, cocktails and coffee available from open until close. This new space is also wonderfully atmospheric, with modern vintage furnishings and charming accents creating a warm but refined ambience. Walk in from 8am to enjoy invigorating morning options or book for dinner to indulge in elevated vegetarian cuisine.
Just one door down is where you'll encounter Mister Grotto. Conceived as an intimate 30-seat seafood restaurant, head chef Måns Engberg (Saint Peter, Kiln) leads the kitchen, adding to his impressive resume which features several innovative fish programs. Relying on close relationships with anglers across Australia, Engberg showcases what's special about Australian seafood, from Queensland's tropical waters to Tasmania's frigid estuaries.
Honouring rather than avoiding the labour-intensive process that goes into catching and preparing exceptional seafood, guests at Mister Grotto can watch fresh oysters get shucked and raw fish grilled over charcoal. You can also expect a playful cocktail and wine list, where each sip complements the flavours of the sea on your plate.
Founded in 2008 by brothers-in-law Joe Valore and Elvis Abrahanowicz, Paisano & Daughters' trio of venues will soon be joined by another exciting restaurant. Opening in early March is Osteria Mucca – an Italian restaurant in an old butcher's shop. More details will emerge soon, but the concept pays homage to the bounty of the cow through family recipes, handmade pasta, charcoal meats and rare small-production wines acquired from Italy's most respected producers.
Flora and Mister Grotto will open at 206 Australia Street and 208 Australia Street Newtown respectively, from February 10. Check the website for opening times and more information.
Images: Hugh O'Brien.
