Il Baretto finds a new home at Paddo Inn
24 September 2020
After 20 years in Surry Hills, IL BARETTO will reopen at the back of the Paddo Inn, in the former dining room space, from Friday 9 October. The neighbourhood pub’s front bar will remain operating as is, run by Solotel.
IL BARETTO’s owner, Gabriella Fedeli, is thrilled for the opportunity to relocate to a new neighbourhood with the Paddo Inn - which the Solomon family have run since 1986. “I think IL BARETTO fits in nicely with the growing food culture of Paddington,” says Fedeli. “Everyone is kind of doing their own thing well, which is great for people coming to the area.”
Elliot Solomon, owner of the Paddo Inn adds: “The IL BARETTO experience and charm will add a wonderful new vibe to Paddo Inn. This partnership is an exciting step for the venue and something we’ve been looking at doing for a while now. Myself and my family have very fond memories of dining at IL BARETTO over the years and so we are thrilled to welcome Gabriella, her family and their guests to the neighbourhood.”
Expect the same unpretentious, relaxed charm that the restaurant is known for as well as several menu favourites. Start off with antipasti including bruschetta al pomodoro; salame norcia; or carpaccio di manzo. There’s plenty of pasta choice including the signature rich, slow-cooked duck ragu with pappardelle; homemade gnocchi; and spaghetti alle vongole with salty clams, fresh tomatoes, parsley, garlic, and a dash of white wine. Polpette al sugo and saltimbocca alla romana round off the ‘secondi’.
Wines cater to a neighbourhood Italian vibe – a compact, delicious list of around 11 Italian and Australian wines. Of course, there’s also Aperol spritz and a blood orange negroni.
When Fedeli began IL BARETTO in 1999 her dream was, and continues to be, to serve traditional regional Italian food that honours and respects the simplicity of Italian cooking - just like her mother used to make. “We have always had a ‘no fuss’, ‘simple’ and ‘traditional’ approach to the way we do things. The attitude and style of the place is not something that I want to change. I have always liked the fact that we are a broad-church for all types of customers – families, corporates, musicians – whoever. Our price and manner of service is intended to be for everyone.”
Paddo Inn’s popular front bar will continue to operate as is, run by Solotel, with the addition of a bar menu curated by the IL BARETTO team. Think a pork and fennel sausage panino; beef lasagne; and zucca and farro salad with cured salmon or grilled pecorino. Bookings are also welcome in the front bar.
Fedeli and the Solomon family have had a connection for many years, with the Solomons dining at IL BARETTO often. For Fedeli, who began the restaurant as a single mother with two children, to be able to partner with another family- run business, who are also customers, was enormously appealing. “When we were approached about the residency, it was a no-brainer – it’s an incredible venue and neighbourhood. The Solomons and Paddo Inn have a wonderful hands-on style, it is very much about family – like us. I love the idea of restaurants being family institutions, and I love seeing my grandchildren at my work. That to me is what traditional Italian cooking – and IL BARETTO – has always been about, family.”
Bookings for IL BARETTO are available via www.paddoinn.com.au/ilbaretto from 24 September.