Cornerstone & Co.

In her first business venture, Michelle Pavone has combined her hospitality experience with brother-in-law Nick Gulino’s design prowess and the talents of Japanese chef Shoichi Ueda. The result is a winning formula in Hampton.

The menu at Cornerstone & Co. reflects Ueda’s Japanese upbringing, coupled with years of experience cooking in Italy and at South Yarra restaurant Da Noi. Dishes here also honour Pavone’s Sicilian heritage while exploring Japanese flavours and ingredients.

The ubiquitous bircher muesli, for example, is given a Japanese-style shake up with green-tea poached peach, passionfruit yoghurt, shaved blood orange granite and goji berries.

The contemporary, fuss-free space is coated in white tiles and features slim wire chairs, recycled timber tables and wooden shelving – all of which come from Gulino’s online store, Space to Create.

Coffee comes from The Maling Room, with weekly single origins and filter available. The barista is armed with quality ingredients all round – rich milk from St David Dairy and for those less lactose-inclined there’s Bonsoy and Almond Milk Co. milks.