Dalmatino in Port Melbourne celebrates art and Maltese cuisine
Besties Elizabeth Williamson and Caterina Renda are hoping to put Maltese food on the map in Melbourne. The pair are serving up traditional dishes from the Mediterranean island at a Port Melbourne eatery.
Inner South
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Best mates Elizabeth Williamson and Caterina Renda want to do more than fill bellies.
The chefs and new owners of Dalmatino are opening their restaurant to artists in a bid to feed the soul.
Since taking over the Port Melbourne eatery the women have invited artists to exhibit their work at the venue.
They are especially interested in people who have not yet had the opportunity to share their work with the public.
“We want to do something for the underdog,” Ms Williamson said.
“It’s so hard for emerging artists to show their work. Our aim is to help them do that, whether it’s letting them hang paintings on our walls, or using the space for a book launch or even performing original music.”
The women have already hosted an Archibald Prize finalist and are currently showcasing the work of Port Melbourne artist Oscar Prieto.
Dalmatino’s altruistic slant isn’t the only change with the once Croatian menu switched to celebrate Maltese cuisine.
Ms Williamson wanted to introduce Maltese dishes to honour her heritage.
“I think there are more Maltese living in Australian than there are in Malta itself,” she said.
“But there are so few Maltese restaurants.
“I think there is only one other Maltese restaurant in Melbourne aside from a pastizzi cafe.
“We have pastizzi on our menu as well along with a lot of other traditional Maltese dishes.”
These include ravjul — giant pasta pockets filled with ricotta and served with a simple sauce, tussrt tal-fennek — slow-cooked rabbit stew served with spaghetti, and Maltese pasta bake known as imqarrum il-forn.
“We also have a Maltese dessert, imqaret, which is a date pastry served with an anglaise,” Ms Williamson said.
Ms Williamson creates the Maltese dishes and Ms Renda takes care of the Italian dishes on the menu.
“Caterina has Calabrian heritage so she looks after those dishes.”
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Ms Williamson said it was a big decision to take on the restaurant.
“I live in Sunshine and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner six days a week,” she said.
“It’s a big day with a long commute.”
Dalmatino is at 280 Bay St, Port Melbourne
Artists interested in exhibiting should contact Elizabeth Williamson on 9645 6584.
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