Attimi By Dario Manca

Taking over the old home of NOTA in Paddington is Attimi by Dario Manca, an experimental, 28-seat fine dining spot that combines contemporary Italian cuisine with traditional European finesse. While Attimi is Manca’s first restaurant, his resume boasts stints in many a Michelin-starred restaurant as well as time in the kitchen with Gorden Ramsay and Giovanni Pilu, so you can expect a memorable experience here. 

Meaning ‘moments’ in Italian, Attimi is all about slowing down and embracing the here and now—so be prepared to put your phone away and fully immerse yourself in the cosy, heritage surrounds while you enjoy a 12 or eight course degustation. Yes, 12 courses—you’re going to be here a while. While an a la carte menu is on offer from Tuesday to Thursday at your leisure or with a three course minimum per adult on Friday and Saturday, the 12-stop journey through a variety of Italian regions is what Manca is most keen to share with diners, with an ever-changing line up of dishes that blend tradition with innovation. 

Every course is named for a different region from Sicilia (porcini mushroom arancini with with truffle mayo and lemon thyme) to Piemonte (Wagyu chuck tail flap (MBS 8/9) served with rich black bagna cauda, creamy goat cheese, silver beet, and caramelised balsamic) and Veneto (vertical tiramisu). If you haven’t quite got the time (or the appetite) to linger over 12 courses, the shorter, eight-course variation is much easier to digest, and lets you choose your main and dessert. Attimi has also launched an Express Banquet Lunch from Thursday to Saturday, offering a curated taste of its Two Chef Hat menu across two or three courses.

During the week, that a la carte menu offers up a short but decadent array of dishes like lobster risotto, burrata with pork crackling and truffle honey, or the caviar bomb—a confit garlic filo tart with stracciatella, guinacale fat and five grams of caviar. Attimi also offers vegetarian and gluten-free menus, and you can stop in for snacks and aperitivo or a vino from the lengthy Italian wine list, which boasts more than a few skin contact wines plus a selection of rare beers. 

Plus, it's not just the locals taking notice of this suave spot. Attimi was recently named Australia’s Best New Restaurant at the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence—reflecting a truly remarkable debut year for the Italian fine diner.

Image credit: Supplied