Southside pizza institution I Carusi II (231 Barkly Street, St Kilda) has new owners, including chef Murat Ovaz, who recently sold his share in South Yarra's Yagiz.

"Basically I bought one of my favourite restaurants," says Ovaz of the St Kilda spot, which boasts art deco charm over two storeys.

The Turkish chef is tweaking the dough to bring it more in line with Neapoltian standards, and giving the menu a tight edit, offering pizzas such as cacio e pepe, sausage and pepper, and spicy salami pizza.

Smaller dishes to share include white anchovies with focaccia, salumi and fish crudo.

There's a new wine and cocktail list and plans for brunch are brewing.

Vaporetto (681 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn) is also in new hands. The team behind southside restaurants Cosi and Cucinetta and Carboni's in Ballarat bought the business from chef and co-owner Greg Feck, who remains on the pans.

Feck is keeping the Venetian menu as it is but new owners Omar El Deek, Giacomo Pietrantuono and Donatello Pietrantuono are tweaking the wine list.

"It makes sense to take on Vaporetto," says Donatello. "It's what we do – good Italian – and it aligns with our company values."