Mangia bene! The Amalfi Coast meets the Brisbane River at this year’s Festa Italiana
Taking place across two weekends, the beloved Italian-themed festival will transform the waterfront precinct with spritz bars, food stalls, pop-up delis, live-music performances and coastal-inspired flair. This year’s event will also see the return of celebrated chef Orazio D’Elia, as well as a culinary guest from one of the Amalfi Coast’s most exclusive dining destinations. Here’s what we know …
While we might be looking at the start of winter here in Brisbane, Howard Smith Wharves is gearing up to channel Euro summer for the fourth iteration of Festa Italiana. The festival will take over the riverside hub from May 28–31 and June 4–7, taking inspiration from the sun-soaked shores of the Amalfi Coast and turning the precinct into a buzzing hub of food, drink and Italian-inspired hospitality.
Festa Italiana will once again welcome the return of chef Orazio D’Elia, who will be leading the festival’s culinary program alongside some special guests. This year, the team behind family-run beach club and restaurant Conca del Sogno will be making the trip to Brisbane, with head chef Pierluigi Guidone adding the restaurant’s iconic spaghetti alla Nerano to the festival’s food offering. The venue’s signature cocktail, the Sgroppino, will also be available.
Located in Nerano and accessible primarily by boat on Recommone Beach, Conca del Sogno is widely acclaimed for its picturesque location, seafood-forward menu and champagne-fuelled parties.
“Conca del Sogno has always been a place I’ve loved, not just for the food and hospitality, but for the memories attached to it,” says Orazio. “It’s actually where I got married, so having them come to Australia and be part of Festa Italiana this year feels really special. To share a little piece of that experience with everyone here is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
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Beyond this headline collaboration, Festa Italiana will boast all of the delicious goodies foodies have flocked to devour over the past three years. This year, Orazio is devising a menu that encompasses classics and festival faves, from antipasti plates piled high with melon, gorgonzola with figs, salumi misti and fritto misto, to Roman-style pizzas crowned with assorted toppings.
Pasta will be doled out by the bowlful, naturally, with options including calamarata with calamari, cherry tomatoes and chilli; malloreddus alla campidanese with pork sausage ragù; risotto cacio e pepe; and Orazio’s signature rigatoni alla vodka. Expect to see porchetta alla Romana served in focaccia, plus sweet treats like Sicilian chocolate cannoli, tiramisu, coda di aragosta and Italian-inspired scoops from Gelato Messina.
And then there’s the drinks. Festa Italiana’s drinks program will be headlined by spritzes and Italian wines, while a cocktail selection will include the aforementioned Sgroppino – a blend of lemon sorbet, vodka and prosecco – peach bellinis inspired by the iconic Harry’s Bar in Venice, Amaretto sours and slushie-style frozen cocktails. For beer lovers, Felons Brewing Co. will also be brewing a bespoke Italian-style lager for the festival.
“Festa Italiana is all about bringing the energy, romance and spirit of Italy to the Brisbane River,” says Adam Flaskas, co-founder and director of Artemus Group. “Each year we look for ways to elevate the experience, and welcoming Conca del Sogno to Australia alongside Orazio is a huge moment for the festival. To share one of the Amalfi Coast’s most iconic dining experiences with Brisbane is incredibly exciting.”
Head to the Howard Smith Wharves website for more info on this year’s Festa Italiana.
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