Jamie Oliver’s first Australian Trattoria to serve up local produce in Parramatta
HEARTY fare such as ragu bolognese, handmade lamb and ricotta ravioli and exotic pizzas will be on the menu when the first Jamie’s Italian Trattoria outside of the United Kingdom opens in Parramatta.
The restaurant being fitted out on the edge of Centenary Square will also offer breakfast options, along with a ‘grab and go’ salads, wraps and smoothie for passers-by looking to grab a quick meal on their lunch break.
Jamie’s Italian Australia executive chef David Clarke will be training up staff in the lead-up to the restaurant’s expected midyear opening.
Clarke said at the end of the day the trattoria was designed to be a “family everyday restaurant”.
“It’s a smaller version of what the Jamie’s Italians are,” he said.
“The menu does change a bit more, it is a bit more nutritious and it is a bit more affordable as well.”
Located at a former bridal shop on the corner of Macquarie and Church streets the Trattoria will be open for all meals seven days a week.
“That’s what the Trattoria is all about, you should be able to pop in either to have a coffee and have a pastry and have some breakfast,” he said.
“But there are also grab and goes, sandwiches and salads and other bits and pieces, so people on the fly can sit down in the park, come in the weekend have a picnic.”
There will also be a grill section, with food cooked under a hot brick in the Tuscan style and exotic pizzas with toppings such as truffle, greens and free-range eggs.
Another feature of the restaurant will be a space for up to 50 people on the second level for functions or brunches.
“We’re even talking about looking at putting it on the council noticeboards for people to have meetings upstairs and actually booking it out,” Clarke said.
As much as possible, products will be sourced locally and from around the region.
“Our fish is only from the areas around here, we have different fish every day,’’ Clarke said.
“Our salamis are made in Marrickville, our cheeses are coming from Victoria, we’re now currently looking at local potato farmers and cherry farmers, and local bakers.
“Our oil is made in Southern Highlands just the other side of the blue mountains.”
Clarke said he considered Parramatta the perfect place for the Australia’s first Trattoria.
“People in Parramatta as Jamie would say ‘they know what they’re talking about’ and they know what they want,” he said.
Source: News Local - 22nd April 2015
