I am back home in Brisbane for a while. I love it here, especially now that winter has arrived. The crisp mornings and warm, sunny days suit me very well.
Of course, as soon as I get home, I miss Italy. Fortunately my friend Michael has recently opened a cafe in the city, and it is full of delectable reminders of Italy. It is worth going for the sfogliatelle alone.
Michael has them flown in from Naples. The uncooked sfogliatelle are snap frozen and speedily sent to Marchetti where they are cooked and sit prettily waiting to be eaten. I can report that the one I had tasted exactly like the ones I have enjoyed in Naples.
There are other tasty things to eat as well. The filled pannini look just like the Italian variety and the biscotti, made by Virginia from Naples, are amazing.
Today for lunch I had minestrone, which was excellent.
Say hello to Michael and Virginia.
Art Deco inspired Marchetti is in the elegant Tattersalls’s Arcade off the Queen St Mall. Michael has travelled extensively in Italy and has created a delightful cafe that makes me feel right at home.
There is a small area inside with a communal bench, outside tables and a banquette in the centre of the arcade. Michael just happens to be my optometrist as well. That is his shop (Optiko) in the background.
Marchetti is brand new and the menu is changing regularly. The coffee is great and the food is delicious. Wine is available by the glass and later in the year Marchetti will be open for afternoon and evening aperitivi…I can’t wait for my first Campari or Aperol spritz.
Call in and say hello to Michael and Virginia and the rest of the team.
Phone…07 30031344
Cheers to Michael’s and Virginia’s efforts of bringing the taste of Italy to Brisbane.
By: aFrankAngle on July 10, 2014
at 12:22 pm
They are doing a great job. It is a welcome addition to Brisbane.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 10, 2014
at 12:31 pm
We will have to go to Marchetti if we visit later in the year!
By: Jim & Kerry on July 10, 2014
at 12:37 pm
You must, you will be impressed.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:19 am
Those sfogliatelle look absolutely delicious!
By: mulino dominillo on July 10, 2014
at 12:46 pm
They are very good indeed, just like the ones I sampled in Naples.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:19 am
Magari…..
An Italian girl translated that as ‘I wish’. With a sigh.
Wateringly beautiful, dribble
By: Nicolet on July 10, 2014
at 2:36 pm
Come for a little visit to Brisbane and we will go together.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:20 am
I’ll have to give this place a try on the weekend!
By: tommyshaw on July 10, 2014
at 2:40 pm
I’m sure you will like it.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:20 am
It looks like a good spot. And I would call in if I weren’t so very far away!
By: Just Add Attitude on July 10, 2014
at 9:22 pm
I will admit that it is a bit far for you to travel for a coffee.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:21 am
I was in the city on Wednesday and noticed this lovely caffe but was looking at shoes.. I will be going back .
Thanks Debra and welcome back to Brisbane..
Lorraine x
By: Anonymous on July 10, 2014
at 9:32 pm
You must go back…better than shoes.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:21 am
Ooh those pastries look divine. They used to make them up the road from here until the patisserie closed – only on Saturdays, and they called them “lobster claws”.. 🙂
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on July 10, 2014
at 11:10 pm
There seems to be a lot of work involved in these pastries, worth it of course.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:22 am
Fabulous Deb! I knew the cafe was poised to open about now… It looks very authentic too. A home away from home for you.
By: janinevasta on July 11, 2014
at 2:28 am
It will be a regular spot for me.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:22 am
Welcome back to Brisbane Deb…How was Helsinki and visit with Kirsi?
Looks great, will have to try this weekend!
Sfogliatelle look delicious!
By: Lyn Weston on July 11, 2014
at 2:43 am
We had a lovely time in Helsinki. You can see one of our jaunts on Beautiful Helsinki. I’m sure you will enjoy Marchetti.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:23 am
Hi welcome back Debra. I will have to try out Marchetti.
All the best Helen
By: cosi1956 on July 11, 2014
at 3:54 am
It is nice to be back for a while. Enjoy Marchetti.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 11, 2014
at 9:25 am
Ooh I do love sfogliatelle! I made it once and the dough was so complicated! Great that you have something in Brisbane for when you are “homesick” 😀
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on July 12, 2014
at 11:51 am
I can’t imagine making them, it looks so complicated.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 4, 2014
at 12:10 pm
Oh yum!
By: composerinthegarden on July 13, 2014
at 3:54 pm
Definitely delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 4, 2014
at 12:10 pm
I know Michael well – he was my brothers best man and we went to the same schools. It’s a small world
By: Angela on August 4, 2014
at 10:41 am
I think Michael went to State High. My son went there too, just a few years later.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 4, 2014
at 12:11 pm
Yes, Michael was the year under me. We also went to the same primary school.
By: Angela on August 4, 2014
at 10:12 pm