Jamie’s Italian one of three new ACT eateries

You could set yourself quite a challenge next week to be in at opening night for three interesting new eateries. Start early in the week at Jamie’s Italian in Bunda Street. There’s no telling precisely what day this place opens, since as of Monday this week, they still weren’t saying (they’re doing a series of invite-only dinners this week). But they’ve confirmed they’re open by Wednesday, November 6, if not before.

Also that night, November 6, hit the opening of the Parlour Wine Room in New Acton (or you could buy a ticket for the opening party on Saturday, November 2, or the Melbourne Cup party on Tuesday, November 5).

And on Thursday, November 7, it’s the turn of Danny Tosolini’s new Kingston venture, the European. Tosolini, brother of Carlo at Tosolini’s on Bailey’s Corner, has taken over the former Artespresso opposite Silo in Giles Street. He promises rustic food, and European wine. The chef is Joel Miller who worked with James Mussillon, at Balzac in Sydney, and more recently at Me and Mrs Jones across the road in Kingston.

The menu includes the likes of a charcuterie plate with pickles ($22), chicken terrine ($14), duck sausage with lentils ($16), meatballs with tomato sugo ($14), chicken wings with avocado, corn and flatbreads, and just four larger plates ($31-$34) – fish, pork fillet with ham croquette, lamb with smoked eggplant and steak.

The European also offers shared dishes, a 12-hour braised short rib, or a seven-hour braised lamb shoulder. Smoked ham hocks, croque monsieur, and rice pudding on offer for weekend brunch, and pasta and risotto join the menu for lunch.