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Just Open: Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta, Paddington, Brisbane

Natascha Mirosch

Violetta's primavera pizza with rocket, tomato, mozzarella, parmigiano and prosciutto.
Violetta's primavera pizza with rocket, tomato, mozzarella, parmigiano and prosciutto.Bradley Kanaris

While Chinese and Italian may seem like unlikely partners, Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta have shacked up in a single Paddington cottage.

The siblings to owner Renata Robert's Kenmore originals opened on Monday with the two restaurants separated by a shared bar, each seating around 100.

Both have their own phone numbers, staff and different styles of fitout. Bang Bang, like its Western suburbs counterpart is dark and moody, while Pizzeria Violetta is light and bright.

Ma po tofu at Sichuan Bang Bang.
Ma po tofu at Sichuan Bang Bang.Bradley Kanaris
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Regulars will be happy to hear that the menus have kept all the old favourites, with Kenmore chef Kieran Zou overseeing the spicier side of things at Bang Bang and Phoebe Cleland (ex Sails at Noosa) in charge of Violetta's wood-fired oven.

A larger kitchen means Violetta's menu has expanded with the addition of a couple of mains and pasta, including spatchcock saltimbocca and braised lamb with polenta, as well as wild boar ragu with pappardelle and a clam linguine.

Roberts says they'll be putting a few new dishes on the Bang Bang menu but the much loved "chewy and fatty Mongolian lamb ribs" are there, along with the spicy beef hotpot.

Sichuan Bang Bang and  Pizzeria Violetta in Paddington.
Sichuan Bang Bang and Pizzeria Violetta in Paddington.Bradley Kanaris

A shared well-constructed wine list is broad enough to offer a match to margherita pizza or a spicy ma po tofu, and there are beers from both China and Italy, and a selection of Asian-influenced and classic cocktails.

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From this weekend, Pizzeria Violetta turns into "Benzina" providing breakfast fuel-ups until 3pm. Sichuan Bang Bang will also be doing a 1½ hour "bottomless" weekend yum cha in two sittings, with around 20 dishes for $32 per person, beginning Saturday, May 21.

Stay tuned for another Bang Bang/Violetta combo on Kedron Brook Road in Wilston in June.

Open daily 5pm-late; Bang Bang weekend yum cha sittings at 11.30am and 1.30pm; Benzina breakfast Sat-Sun 7am-3pm.

167 Given Terrace, Paddington; Pizzeria Violetta, 07 3369 2300, pizzeriavioletta.com.au; Sichuan Bang Bang, 07 3369 1311, sichuanbangbang.com.au

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