Memorial for slain Melbourne restaurateur Sisto Malaspina

A memorial and plaque will be installed in honour of slain Melbourne restaurateur Sisto Malaspina who was killed in a random attack last year.

The memorial table and plaque, designed by the City of Melbourne, will be installed outside Pellegrini's Espresso Bar early next year.

Café owner Malaspina was stabbed to death by 30-year-old Hassan Khalif Shire Ali after he drove a burning ute into Bourke Street and began attacking people.

The 74-year-old co-owned the Bourke Street venue for more than 40 years.

"It became clear that creating a space outside Pellegrini's where people can sit and reflect would be a fitting tribute to his famous sense of hospitality," Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.

"Sisto used to sit, chat to people and watch the world go by out the front of his café and we hope Melburnians will take the time to do the same in his memory."

The table will feature a portrait of Malaspina by Melbourne illustrator Oslo Davis and a dedication saying "Sisto loved Melbourne - and Melbourne loved him back".

Sisto's son David Malaspina said the family was delighted that his father’s life will be celebrated “with a beautiful artwork that is also very practical".

"Dad loved nothing more than to sit and have a coffee with our customers, many of whom became life-long friends,” he said.

"I look forward to looking out of the window of Pelligrini's and watching people learn about Dad while enjoying a coffee at his table."

Sheridan Randall, 12^th November 2019