here is something to be said about the vibe of Danke Street Produce Merchants that makes it one of the most intriguing markets to visit if you are a foodie at heart.

Inside is like a little community of independent producers working together, showing off beautiful displays of cheese, hams, dried goods, and more that makes it a joy wandering around the food displays and getting lost in the varieties of pasta to jams.

Resting above the European inspired gourmet food market is Mezzanino Ristorante. This sun-lit, window of walls restaurant is a perfect lunch spot during the day but would also be a stunning venue when dining as the sun goes down.

It’s quite rare to see an open style plan mezzanine this large in Sydney and the

enormous space has lent itself to a wonderful new dining concept: serving Italian food served yum cha style!

Yes, it may seem a bit odd to see these two cuisines cross paths in one place but by no way is this a fusion of taste. It’s a fusion of eating style.

While there is an ale-carte menu of traditional pasta and mains, the real way to eat is ordering off the piattini menu (Italian for “small dishes”). Each piattini is made fresh, delivered around each table, and in certain amounts to maintain each dishes’ quality. The pace is not rushed and loud like a bustling street market but relaxed as you have one drink in hand and the full view of the open kitchen watching the display of food rested on a marble cart roll up to pick and choose.

ince there is nothing, I say nothing better in this world than cured meat, we left the mains for another day and decided to feast on the variety of piattini dishes that were available on the day. Pass the antipesti this way, please!

From simple caprese salad to pâté and crostini dishes, the food served is a rotating menu and offers a bit of everything from olives to Italian food must-have arancini rice balls to fresh oysters.

The thing that I love about this menu is that the “simple but tasty” logic really highlights the quality of each ingredient used in the dishes while eating. Interestingly, all ingredients used are also available downstairs in the marketplace which is a great opportunity to stock up on some new ingredients if you are feeling adventurous cooking at home.

Also, check out their cocktail menu for some interesting drinks like their signature Aperol Spritz!

Marinated Octopus Salad

Antipasto – Cured Meat, Olives, Focaccia, Marinated Artichoke, Cheese and Honey Glazed Sun-Dried Tomato

Mushroom and Cheese Arancini Balls

Pâté and Crostini

Honey Glazed Beetroot Salad with Nuts and Cheese

Anchovies with Lavash Toast

Strawberry Infused Aperol Spritz and Bellini | $12 and $11

rriving on an odd weekday for lunch, the service was very prompted and friendly.

The staff were very helpful, explaining how to order off the trolley as well as explaining each dish since some had no set name or would need to be made-

to-order in the kitchen like the arancini.

Not being well-versed in Italian cuisine, being able to take our time to ask the staff some questions came in handy when we encountered an Italian word we weren’t sure of.

or restaurant-quality Italian food that also included a seafood range, the price was very affordable!

Each Piattini ranged between $8-$14 per plate and as for the drink

menu, the cocktails were not overpriced at all, great for anyone who enjoys a little day drinking.