Macali has opened Supermaxi with her partner Giovanni Patane’, who “will be the face when you walk in the door” – Macali will be in the kitchen, flipping dough in the double pizza oven. Pizza isn’t the main focus but it will, of course, be a large part of the menu, as will Macali’s homemade pasta.

The fit-out is clean and sparse and the room is a good size, seating approximately 70. The Terrazzo tiled floor is original, and the central clean-lined matt-black Marmoleum bar is surrounded by black Rombus chairs and black polished aluminium Maxdesign Plato table bases, both sourced locally from Thonet.

Since Ladro, both Macali and Patane’ have had a few things on their plate, one of which was making Supermaxi happen: “we were looking for a new place for a while, but waited to find the right spot.” Initially looking to open up in the city, Macali and Patane’ eventually decided to stay local in their own neighbourhood. But a city store is not out of the picture; with the success of Supermaxi, they are is set to roll out more “simple Italian food done well" in the future.

Where: 305 St Georges Rd, North Fitzroy
When: Tue-Sun 5pm-10.30pm
Phone: (03) 9482 2828