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.

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