Zuppa Uno

If there is one activity Sydneysiders absolutely love, it is discovering that extra special spot tucked away from the main drag and being the first person to tell their friends about it. Darlinghurst's Zuppa Uno is just the place. In the hard urban landscape, Zuppa brings a ray of sunshine with its contemporary soul food that warms both bellies and spirits.

Zuppa's recipe is simple. Flavoursome favourites either drawn from a different time or different parts of the world, made with the best ingredients and all served with a large dash of Zuppa Uno's characteristic conviviality. Zuppa calls it food with personality.

One of the most special things about Zuppa Uno is being able to take time out from reality in a home away from home. Owner Tonnettè Muscat's menu changes daily (though there are also menu standards), thus bringing back childhood memories of anticipating what mum has cooked that day. All you have to do is show up and know that there will be something delicious waiting for you.

Zuppa's customers soon become Tonnettè's brood whom she cooks for, laughs with, remember little details about and looks after. In fact, in this cosy nest, it is impossible to escape her enveloping charisma. Tonnettè, who is only 25, was born to nurture. "I was always cooking for my flatmates. When I moved out of home, I always cooked for my 5 flatmates. They all called me mum and they were all older than me - in their thirties," says Tonnettè.

Zuppa Uno, meaning the first soup in Italian, refers to the café's signature soups. "Soup to me is like medicine - it soothes the soul and nourishes the body," says Tonnettè. Her passion for fresh, natural, quality ingredients are evident in the tempting options that include smoked duck & whitebean soup, spicy lentil & bacon soup and oven roasted tomato & basil soup.

The menu also features hearty dishes such as pesto, pancetta & pinenut gnocchi, vegetable frittata and Mediterranean chicken meatball salad complement the soups. For breakfast, try the bacon and egg sandwich with a homestyle twist - Zuppa's own homemade barbeque sauce. And like the weekly favourite at home, at Zuppa Uno Friday is Ravioli Day. Curls of fresh pasta wrapping a choice of meat or vegetarian filling, dressed with traditional Maltese tomato sauce made from Tonnettè's Grandpa's recipe. "I love looking after people. Having customers come in, get fed and leave fully satisfied with the food and whole experience - that to me is priceless," says Tonnettè.

Starting from April 14, Zuppa Uno will open its doors for dinner on Thursday nights. The menu changes weekly and there is a choice of two entrée, three mains and two dessert dishes, or pay $35 per head for a three course meal. Zuppa Uno's food is all available as take-away (in environmentally friendly hardy cardboard containers where possible).

Zuppa Uno is located at 166 Riley Street, Darlinghurst.
For more information on Zuppa Uno, please call 02 9331 7163