Regan Porteous first restaurant Osteria Coogee brings a slice of Italy to the east

Osteria Coogee’s mission is to extend the Italian sense of family and connection to to food to Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Watch the video.

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Chef Regan Porteous is bringing a piece of Italy to the eastern suburbs with Osteria Coogee, his first venture as a restaurateur.

Porteous (Toko, Riley St Garage, Tequila Mockingbird, Stanton & Co, Surly’s) officially opened the Italian eatery on Alfreda St, Coogee, with a lunch that started with a spritz sour followed by a crostone laden with whipped ricotta and bottarga.

The seven share plates dished up by head chef Stefano Gagliardi also included peperone — a stuffed bullhorn pepper and gremolata. As soon as the plate hit the table the sweet aroma of the pepper and the zesty Italian herbs housed within left us wanting more. Gagliardi delivered with a porcini truffle gnocchi and a rolled pork belly served with a cabbage, chilli and garlic verdura.

Osteria Coogee chef/owner Regan Porteous (far right) with Head Chef Stefano Gagliardi and General Manager Carolina Angelucci

The final plate was Gagliardi’s take on tiramisu with amaretto and mascarpone which he tells us is an old family recipe.

Gagliardi, who has worked in restaurants in London, France and Spain, is inspired by a passion for food inherited from his grandfather Rocco.

The family theme runs deep at Osteria Coogee with Porteous saying the restaurant concept was inspired by the many trips he and partner Carolina Angelucci (Osteria’s general manager) have taken to Italy to visit her family.

Porchetta, rolled and roasted pork belly, from the new Italian eatery, Osteria Coogee.

“Family gatherings are frequent and are often centred around food and the extended networks of family,” Porteous said.

“We want to bring that eating culture to Coogee through Osteria.”

Gagliardi’s menu, which is designed to be shared, plays off Italian classics with a modern Australian approach.

Crostone with ripped ricotta and bottarga from the new Italian eatery, Osteria Coogee.

“Our mission is to bring a bit of Italy to the heart of Coogee, using quality Australian produce and adding complexity through textures, technique and taste that transports the diners back to Italy,” Gagliardi said.

“I want to show Coogee what real Italian food is.”

NEED TO KNOW

• Osteria Coogee, 31 Alfreda St, Coogee. Phone [phone]

• Get a taste of what Coogee’s newest spot has to offer by checking out Aperitivo Hour, 5pm to 7pm Wednesday to Sunday, osteriacoogee.com