Just Open: Flour + Salt, Fairfield

After looking all over Fairfield for somewhere to open a pizza and pasta restaurant, John Kanellakos​ found the perfect spot almost on his doorstep.

With business partner Mark Tobias, he's opened Flour + Salt in a light-filled, corner site three doors down from his Fairfield cafe, Fifteen Pounds.

Both men live in the neighbourhood and say that while the area is replete with cafes, it has been sorely lacking accessible, family-friendly dinner options. They're counting on Flour + Salt to fill the void.

With Italian pizzaiolo Dario Falaschi​ spinning the discs, expect gently updated traditional toppings such as potato, taleggio​ and pancetta​ lifted with butter and sage, or tiger prawns with zucchini "carpaccio", lemon, cherry tomatoes and a smattering of chilli.

Pasta, made in-house, includes rigatoni with Roman-style ox tail stew enriched with tomatoes, white wine and cocoa, or squid ink pasta with baby calamari, peas and capsicum sauce. Pizza and pasta dishes can be served gluten-free.

A crisp, modestly-priced drinks list includes craft beers from northside brewers, 3 Ravens and Hawkers.

It's a simple, clean fitout with touches of rough timber and glossy black tiles, and seating for 80, including an all-weather courtyard that fits 25.

Open Tue-Thu & Sun 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm

72 Station Street, Fairfield 03 9486 3600 flourandsalt.com.au