Attimi by Dario Manca
Paddington
Attimi by Dario Manca is one of Brisbane's finest Italian restaurants - a cosy and stylish 28-seat diner located on Paddington's Given Tce dining precinct, in the space formerly home to Montrachet and Nota.
The beautiful high-ceilinged space features exposed rustic brick walls, a ceiling to floor bar wall of wines and spirits, an intimate bar area to enjoy an apperitivo, polished timber floors and walls adorned with artworks by the owner/chef Dario Manca, who hails from previous stints at esteemed Brisbane restaurants Rosmarino and Za Za Ta.
Diners at Attimi can look forward to a Michelin-inspired dining experience, where everything is on point, from the exquisite food, which is artfully presented on bespoke crockery, to the attentive and professional service, mood lighting and ambience.
The food menu centres around two degustation style offerings, each taking diners on a culinary tour through the Italian regions -with a full twelve course or a shorter eight course option, while a concise a la carte menu is available on Tuesday to Thursday nights and Friday and Saturday lunchtimes.
Starters which are both part of the degustation and a la carte menus, include delectable Cecina round waffles with smoked labneh and Galloni prosciutto 24 mth, with the option of adding oscietra caviar.
Another is the Arancino, a scrumptious morsel of carnaroli rice, porcini mushrooms, Trifolati and truffle mayo, and the Filo confit garlic tart with goat cheese cream, salt baked beetroot and basil.
Must-try on the a la carte menu is the Carbonara Burrata (Burrata opera, carbonara paste, Pecorino Romano cream, crispy guanciale, black pepper & chive oil) and the Beef rump cap tartare (Black Bagna cauda mayo, stracciatella, chilly oil, flat bread chard & pickled cocktail onions).
A highly recommended pasta dish available both a la carte and on the degustation menus is the Tagliolini Arrabbiata (homemade long and thin pasta, tomato sauce, nduja and oregano, SA mussels, buffalo blue cream & breadcrumb) and Queensland Coral Trout (cured coral trout, cardamom, prosciutto, grapefruit & puffed fennel barley).
Another star dish from the a la carte menu is the White Pyrenees Back strap lamb (250 or 500 gr) with parsnip cream, black garlic puree, pickled radish, red wine jus, coffee and chocolate powder, perfectly paired with crispy potatoes coated in duck fat, with smoked creme fraiche and chilli oil.
Degustation menus come with the option of matching wines, standard or premium. Also available are specially curated vegetarian, gluten free and dairy-free degustation menus, which require a advance booking and a minimum of two people.
The impressive wine list (presented in a cork-covered menu), offers a selection of more than 85 predominantly Italian wines, sourced from the top wine-growing regions of Italy, together with a smattering of French, Australian, Argentinian and Portuguese wines, with a decent number available by the glass.
Need to know - There is onstreet parking available on Given Tce (except weekdays from 4-7pm and on Suncorp Stadium event days) as well as in nearby streets.
A guide to the best Italian restaurants in Brisbane
Where to find the best restaurants in Paddington
Explore Given Tce, Paddington, one of Brisbane's best Eat Streets
