A family-owned restaurant group renowned for its fresh twist on authentic Italian food has launched its first restaurant in Sutherland Shire.
Salt Meats Cheese opened its doors today, situated within the heritage-listed Commonwealth Bank building on Ocean Grove.
It adds to the group’s growing portfolio of six restaurants and cooking classes.
Taking over the original Commonwealth Bank precinct, which was constructed in the 1930s, the interiors reflect the art deco feel, restored to its former glory.
Cousins Edoardo Perlo and Stefano De Blasi, who founded the business in 2012, four years after moving from Northern Italy, are passionate about opening new restaurants in neighbourhoods with a strong sense of community.
Cronulla proved the ideal backdrop, reminiscent of the coastal town where they grew up, in Liguria.
“We tend to steer towards areas that not only have an appetite for good food and drink, but also a place where we know we will feel like we’re part of the family,” Mr Perlo said.
“We have wanted to open somethingin Cronulla since we first started, so when the opportunity came about to take over this beautiful space, we knew it was meant to be.
“There is a lot about Cronulla which reminds us of home – the families, a tight knit community, and proximity to the sea”.
The menu combines locally sourced and imported authentic Italian ingredients with a passion for honest homestyle cooking.
The 87-seater restaurant serves up signatures pizza, pastas, antipasti, desserts, spritz, Prosecco and Negroni – plus a must-have Tiramisu martini.
Pizzas have the option of being served on a gluten free base or made with dairy free gorgonzola for vegan diners.
“For Cronulla, we have created a menu that is appropriate for any occasion,” Mr Perlo said.
“You can sit at the bar and graze on an antipasti platter with a spritz, dine in with family and watch the kitchen spin the dough in front of you or order takeaway from the deli and to take to the beach with mates.”
70 Cronulla St.
