From the former Sagra owner comes a new Italian restaurant to enter the Waverley dining scene, Passeggiata, named after the Italian tradition of taking a leisurely stroll through the main streets, particularly taking place before dinner.
Chef and ex-Sagra owner Nigel Ward has opened his latest venture, Passeggiata, which he hopes locals would seek to dine in after taking a slow stroll along Charing Cross shopping strip and then take their time enjoying some great-tasting food paired with a bottle of wine.
Passeggiata is divided into a 4-seat ground level main dining area and a 30-seat set menu dining area upstairs. Soon, an alfresco area for Tuscan-style long lunches could also open. The interiors reflect its bright yellow facade whilst retaining the homey vibe of this former residential space with its wooden floorboards, exposed brick walls, and its well-preserved original ornate 1890s pressed-metal ceilings and staircase.
With the new venue Ward and head chef Ryan Crothers will offer a seasonal menu but expect some staples. Current on offer includes crostino with chicken liver, agrodolce and onions; octopus with heirloom tomato and saffron; and prawn carpaccio with blood plum and mint.
Then there’s fried zucchini flower with pecorino and mint; spaghetti a la vongole; gnocchi with summer squash, zucchini and lemon butter; and gnochetti sardi made with pork fennel sausage and spigarello.
“I ate here for the first time on Saturday night and it was possibly the best Italian I’ve had out in a very long time! The portions were perfect, allowing for entrees mains and dessert! Every dish was perfectly put together and well balanced (burrata was phenomenal, unlike most other Italian restaurants)” – E. Michael
“We had an amazing meal. We shared multiple dishes between 4 of us and they all hit the spot. The owner paired up our choices with some beautiful wines we had never tried before and they complimented the food gloriously. We will definitely be back.” – James C.
Passeggiata | 318 Bronte Road, Waverley
