The migrant story runs through Melbourne's culinary veins and we see time and again takes on the migrant experience put on a plate. This time, Johnston Street Sicilian restaurant Mr Ottorino tells the story of owners Matty Miceli and chef Matt Tine's families. The menu is based on what their grandparents cooked in when they arrived in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s, so you'll see a rice-stuffed baby chicken dish made from Tine's grandmother's recipe, a comforting baked eggplant caponata, and cavatelli pasta with a beef ragu that will no doubt stick to your ribs if you're hungry.
They pair put a lot of personal touch at the restaurant, taking a few plates and homewares from their families' cupboards, but they've got plenty of experience beyond their family kitchens. Miceli previously owned Lucky's Pizza on Rathdowne Street and Tine was trained in Guy Grossi's kitchen at Grossi Florentino, where he worked for 11 years.
