Gallery: Broadsheet Access Readers’ Dinner at Osteria Mucca

Osteria Mucca in Newtown is the latest restaurant from the Continental Deli team, and the fourth addition to a slate of eateries now housed in the Paisano & Daughters precinct. A few lucky Broadsheet Access members attended a casual, convivial Readers’ Dinner there on April 9.

The menu – a love letter to old-world Italy – was designed by head chef Janina Allende (ex- Alberto’s Lounge, Valentina’s and Pellegrino 2000), who drew from family recipes to craft honest, time-honoured dishes. Guests were greeted with a spritz on arrival, before sitting down for a long Italian feast.

Dinner began with marinated eggplant and ciabatta, followed by small plates including house ricotta, an off-menu crumbed fennel dish with parmesan sauce, brown butter and sage gnudi and agnello griglia (grilled lamb). For dessert, award-winning pastry chef Lauren Eldridge assembled a cassata almost too pretty to eat.

The 40-seat venue in a converted butcher’s shop setting was cosy and nostalgic, complete with candlelight and immaculate service. Guests also heard from Allende in conversation with Broadsheet Sydney food and drink editor Grace MacKenzie.

To score an invite to more events like this, become a Broadsheet Access member today.