Chianti, la gran dama of Adelaide’s culinary landscape is celebrating 40 years this year.
Far from resting on its laurels, this Hutt Street icon has reinvented itself under the stewardship of matriarch Maria and heirs apparent, siblings Jess and Nick Favaro, emerging as a dining destination that deftly balances reverence for tradition and the natural inclination for innovation of young blood.
The Favaro family, custodians of this culinary treasure, have masterfully navigated the delicate balance between honouring four decades of hospitality tradition with embracing a new chapter.
It’s as if they’ve taken the best recipes from Nona’s cookbook and given them a sprinkle of culinary pixie dust, creating dishes that are at once familiar and thrillingly new.
Under Jess and Nick, who grew up to the clatter of cutlery, Chianti has evolved into a place where the past and present dance a perfect tarantella.
The restaurant hums with an energy that is both familiar and thrilling – amidst the buzz, you can still feel the warmth of decades of hospitality seeping from the very walls.
The menu stays true to Italian tradition offering everything from spuntini and antipasti to pasta, secondi and alla brace, making it the perfect venue for both leisurely dining or a quick snack paired with a glass of wine.
Executive Chef Josh Cooke, who honed his craft under the likes of Rick Stein & Jock Zonfrillo, has taken a modern approach to classic dishes.
His creations are like love letters to Italian cuisine, written with local ingredients and sealed with a bacio of contemporary aesthetic.
From the snackable house-made gnocco fritto and Prosciutto di Culatello and Lamb heart arrosticino to the more substantial Pappardelle with rabbit ragu, pancetta and rosemary or a perfectly cooked steak, the menu is both familiar and unexpected.
The wine list, always a point of pride for Chianti, has blossomed into a veritable vinous encyclopaedia.
It’s a journey through the best of Italy and Australia, with enough variety to keep even the most discerning young oenophile entertained for months.
From classic Chiantis to on-trend South Australian wine labels, there is something to excite all palates.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Chianti is how it’s managed to attract a new generation of diners without alienating its loyal patrons.
Young and old, Maria Favaro knows them all – on any given night, you’ll find tables where twenty-somethings rub elbows with silver-haired regulars, all united in their appreciation for exceptional food and warm hospitality.
As Chianti celebrates its 40th year, it’s clear that this restaurant is far from ready for retirement.
Instead, it’s entering its prime, combining the wisdom of age with the energy of youth.
It’s a place where tradition is not a dusty relic, but a living, breathing thing that evolves with each passing year.
Here’s to Chianti, 40 years young and more vibrant than ever – a place where tradition and innovation coexist beautifully, ensuring its place as a cornerstone of Adelaide’s culinary landscape for years to come.
Find Chianti at 160 Hutt Street, Adelaide SA.
