Is this Melbourne’s newest Italian foodie destination?

A classic meat skewer dish unique to Italy’s Abruzzo region is being served up at a new Epping eatery, billed as Melbourne’s first arrosticini.

Michelle Di Pietro, owner and head chef at new Epping eatery Abruzzo Lab. Picture:Rob Leeson.

A unique flavour from Abruzzo, Italy can now be found in Melbourne’s north with new Epping eatery Abruzzo Lab serving up what they say is the only arrosticini in the city.

The traditional abruzzese meat skewers, in flavours ranging from traditional pecora (mutton) to swordfish, chicken and liver and onion are being expertly crafted by chef Michelle Di Pietro.

“I went to Italy with my family once in 2008 and just fell in love with it,” Di Pietro said. MORE FOOD

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Her love affair with the country and its food only increased when she was exposed to “secret recipes from aunties” while living in Abruzzo from 2012 to 2017.

“I got to see the rustic side of cooking in Abruzzo,” she said.

“By cooking there I was working with saffron, jams, olive oils and the region’s wines.”

When a new family member was born in 2017 she felt the pull back to Melbourne, however she said she could only leave Abruzzo if she “brought it back too”.

Since her return Di Pietro and the Abruzzo Lab team have been serving up Italian delicacies everywhere from the Queen Victoria Night Market to the Carlton Italian Fiesta.

Now in a new home at 24 Taryn Drive Epping, the team are not only serving up arrosticini but other traditional abruzzese fare.

Epping’s newest Italian eatery - the Abruzzo Lab.

Other tempting dishes include lasagne made with crepes and meat ragu, Pizelle-Italian style waffles and Soffione-ricotta and orange sponge.

Ms Di Pietro said the eatery would focus on delivering food and an atmosphere so good customers “feel like they are in Abruzzo when they come to eat”.

For more information visit their website.