If wood-fired pizza, fresh pasta and an Adelaide spritz sound like your dream date, then there’s a new restaurant you’re going to want on your radar.
Italian Street Kitchen is set to bring a fresh take on Italian dining to Currie Street this winter, with the popular national restaurant chain making its South Australian debut in the CBD on June 10th.
Managing Director of Blue Coral Concepts, Gareth Howard, says the long-awaited expansion feels less like a calculated move and more like a natural progression. “We’ve been waiting for the right opportunity. I’ve been travelling to Adelaide, and particularly through the South Australian wine regions, since I moved to Australia 15 years ago,” Gareth shared.
“South Australia has some of the best wine regions in the world and arguably the best seafood in the country, but what’s become even more exciting over the years is seeing the incredible growth of artisan producers creating truly world-class produce. Adelaide is a city that genuinely appreciates food and wine, so we’re excited to bring Italian Street Kitchen into such a passionate and food-driven market.”
Italian Street Kitchen already has locations in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Gareth says the new SA spot will have a sharper focus on local produce. “We’ve supported South Australian wineries for many years, so it was important for us to continue that here. Alongside iconic producers like Yalumba, Jim Barry and Rusden, we’ve also worked closely with boutique wineries we genuinely love, including Emmalene in the Adelaide Hills, Tin Shed and Main & Cherry. We wanted the wine list to feel very connected to the region while still reflecting the personality of the brand.”
The new venue will be housed within the character-filled Elder House, a site that offers heritage charm within a busy city location.
“We were incredibly fortunate to secure a site within a heritage building like Elder House. It brings so much character to the venue. Currie Street also has a fantastic energy throughout the day, with a mix of commuters, tourists and locals constantly moving through the area, which gives us a great opportunity to become part of the fabric of the city.”
Italian Street Kitchen is designed as a modern, accessible take on Italian dining, inspired by the energy of Italy’s street culture. That philosophy flows through into the menu, which combines Italian tradition with Australian creativity. Behind the dishes are executive chefs Giulio and Enrico Marchese, twins who grew up in Friuli in Northern Italy and bring generations of family culinary heritage to the table.
“The authenticity comes from the recipes themselves. Our executive chef and his twin brother, Giulio & Enrico Marchese grew up in Friuli, Northern Italy, surrounded by food – their mother owns a produce store in Italy and the family has been in hospitality for generations. Many of the recipes come directly from their mother and grandmother.”
Standouts on the menu include a tiramisu made using traditional Italian technique, a rich bolognese elevated with bone marrow pangrattato, and handmade eggplant caramelle ravioli that has already become a signature favourite.
The venue will also have a signature cocktail, the Adelaide Spritz, which is being developed using local Adelaide Hills aperitifs, citrus and botanicals. “We’re heading on a regional trip next week to continue discovering more local producers to partner with. Part of that trip will include visiting the Adelaide Hills to taste local aperitifs, spirits and vermouths that we hope will form the base of the cocktail. We’ll also be incorporating local citrus, which will be coming into season as we open, to give the drink a fresh and distinctly South Australian feel,” said Gareth.
Inside, the space has been designed to transition perfectly between a long corporate lunch to a relaxed midweek dinner or a longer weekend session. For Gareth, the goal was simply to deliver something that feels both exciting and familiar.
So with its handmade pasta, South Australian wines and a locally inspired spritz on the menu, Italian Street Kitchen looks set to bring a fresh new energy to Adelaide’s CBD dining scene this winter.
Italian Street Kitchen
When: Opening June 10th
Where: Ground Floor, Elder House, 27, 39 Currie St, Adelaide SA 5000
For more information, click here.
