Classic Italian fare shines at BoscoNero, Mitchelton’s slick new neighbourhood eatery
Blackwood Street’s newest resident is an Italian-inspired haunt that’s run by locals for locals. BoscoNero officially opened to the public this week, luring in Mitchelton diners with the promise of wide-ranging menu encompassing stuzzichini, squid-ink spaghetti, spicy chilli prawn pizzas, slow-cooked lamb shoulder and spritzes. Come and take a gander …
When the Mitchelton outpost of Miss Kay’s closed to the public last year, its vacant Blackwood Street site stuck out like a sore thumb. While the strip isn’t short on quality nosh spots (The Woods, Hobby Lane, The Grove Coffee and Eats and Blackwood Cafe & Espresso Bar, to name a few), the community quickly rallied to ensure that the space wasn’t left empty for long.
This week, BoscoNero made its welcome debut. The brainchild of a ten-strong crew of locals eager to establish a new meeting point for Mitchelton residents, BoscoNero is pitched between silver service fine dining and laid-back casual eatery. In other words, it’s a family-friendly place that’s also perfect for date nights.
A five-week fit-out process – shaped by Ryan Creative and The Art of Space, and constructed by Shopbuilders – has exchanged the grungy aesthetic of Miss Kay’s in favour of a contemporary look with a touch more traditional warmth. The black wall tiles remain in spots, but they are now accented by a plethora of warm fixtures – think timber furnishings, pendant lights and some blue-green paint along the bar front and feature wall at the rear. The layout is loosely divided into sections, starting with a scattering of alfresco seats that spread outwards towards the middle of the Vineyards on Blackwood retail centre. An outdoor area offers more tables as well as a strip of bar seating facing Blackwood Street, while inside is equipped with cushy lounges and high-top tables for groups.
When it comes to the fare, BoscoNero offers a crowd-pleasing menu that starts from snacks and ticks every box right up to dessert. Those keen for a post-work bite can swing by for some house-baked rosemary focaccia, arancini of the day, stuffed zucchini flowers, calamari fritti and glossy burrata with a drizzle of basil oil. Share boards piled high with assorted cured meats or grilled vegetables are perfect for divvying up amongst a crew, but if you’re here to dine then the real gems can be found further in.
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Much like any classic Italian trattoria, the bulk of BoscoNero’s menu is composed of pasta dishes, risotto and pizza. All of the familiar favourites are featured, from slow-cooked lamb ragu with tomato sugo and fettuccine carbonara to magherita, capricciosa and calabrese pizzas. If you’re hankering for something different, BoscoNero’s mains are worth a look. Porchetta, bistecca del giorno and crispy skin barramundi fillet served with house-made caponata and charred broccolini are stand-out selections. Those with a sweet tooth are also well catered for, with classic Italian desserts like tiramisu, torta di mele (Italian-style warm apple tart), dessert calzones and gelato ending proceedings on the right note.
BoscoNero’s bar is well supplied with a range of thirst-quenching libations, from draught beers to a tidy list of Italian, French and European wines. The cocktail list is spritz heavy, with five effervescent variations – including classic Aperol, tangy limoncello and aromatic lavender spritzes – on deck. There’s also six cocktails to choose from, with the Molise Margarita (chilli-infused tequila, elderflower, lime and agave), the Sardinia Beach (vodka, peach, cranberry and pineapple) and the Livorno Limoncello Lemonade (gin, limoncello, fresh lemonade and mint) the perfect refreshing sips to accompany a hearty feast.
BoscoNero is now open to the public. Head to The Directory for more operating hours, contact details and booking information.