Star chef Dario Manca to open new restaurant Attimi in Paddington

It has been a decade of dreaming and planning for chef Dario Manca, and now he is set to open his first restaurant after years of experience at some of Brisbane’s favourite spots.

Chef Dario Manca has opened his new restaurant Attimi in Paddington, Brisbane 3rd September 2024. (Image/Josh Woning)

It has been a decade of dreaming and planning for star chef Dario Manca, and now, only a month after receiving the keys, he is set to open his very first self-owned restaurant, after years of experience heading some of Brisbane’s favourite spots.

Attimi has taken over the former NOTA residence on Given Terrace in Paddington, after they closed last month, and has maintained many elements of the space.

Chef Dario Manca has opened his new restaurant Attimi in Paddington, Brisbane 3rd September 2024. (Image/Josh Woning)

Attimi will be a 28-seater restaurant primarily offering a “double purpose” space, with a set-menu degustation on weekends and a la carte dining Tuesday through Friday.

Guests for the degustation will have the choice between eight or 12 courses (or ten if you have dietary requirements) that will take them on a taste tour through Manca’s home country, Italy, complete with a delivery explaining the significance of the dish and its regional inspiration.

The eight course menu is a “quick Italian tour”, where the larger offering is described as a “sensory exploration of Italy” and will combine traditional Italian cuisine with experimental twists, inspired by Michelin-starred European and Nordic dining.

For those who wish to dine during the week or for lunch, the a la carte menu will offer a more casual experience, without compromising on the quality Manca prides himself on, in the hopes of creating a space that is a welcoming spot for locals and regulars who wish to enjoy quality Italian cuisine, without having to experience the full degustation.

Attimi means ‘moments’ in Italian, a word chosen to capture the “moments of magic and surprise” he wants guests to feel.

“You don’t have to be better, you have to be different,” he said.

“There is so much beautiful offering of Italian food in Brisbane and Queensland, but it was like there was something that is missing,” he said.

“In Italy we have lots of diversity when it comes to Italian food, and here I feel like there is one or two takes only, which are done exceptionally well, so I was like maybe we are going to be able to do something different.”

Manca said the restaurant would also focus on sustainability, with the degustation option creating less waste, and some of his favourite dishes drawing inspiration from ‘cucina povera’ or ‘poor food’

“The trout from Abruzzo is an outstanding dish, I am very happy with that,” he said.

“The story is pretty cool because in Abruzzo they used to have cucina povera or poor food, which means that back then they didn’t have enough money to have a proper meal so they used to gather all the little pieces that they have left, and make something from it and to make some flavour.”

Chef Dario Manca has opened his new restaurant Attimi in Paddington. Picture: Josh Woning

“We are doing pretty much the same, we are having a couple of dishes with prosciutto and keeping aside the skin and parts of fat we don’t use and creating a sauce (for the trout).”

Adding another personal touch into a space he has creative control over, Manca has created the artwork adorning the walls himself (with a cup of coffee we are told), handpainted the menus and specially commissioned the quirky little statues that await guests on each table.

“I worked with an artist in New Delhi, and she made me these little Italian expressions,” he said.

“I just like to show what I love to do. This is my place and I enjoy art and I enjoy these (expression statues).”

Guests can also expect to be for spoiled for choice when it comes to the extensive wine list, featuring over 100 different wines, from Italy and around the world, as well as a range of gelato and sorbet made in Attimi’s in-house gelataria.

Attimi will open from lunch September 6.