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Just Open: Cafe Gia, Herston

Natascha Mirosch

Alessandra Canilho (centre) with sister Isabella (left) and mother Gina.
Alessandra Canilho (centre) with sister Isabella (left) and mother Gina.Bradley Kanaris

As a child her grandfather's restaurant was her playground so it's probably inevitable, with Gambaro blood running through her veins, that Alessandra Canilho has joined the hospitality world.

Alessandra, along with her mother Gina, former restaurant manager at Gambaro's Seafood Restaurant, and sister Isabella, have opened their own slightly more modest venture, Cafe Gia.

"My grandfather [Michael Gambaro] is really excited," Alessandra Canilho says. "He rings me every few days to check that I'm doing what I'm supposed to, and I'm taking on as much advice as I can."

Family recipe: Meatball panini.
Family recipe: Meatball panini.Bradley Kanaris
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Cafe Gia opened on Tuesday in a "local and homely" former corner store cottage in Herston.

"Our aim is to be very family-orientated and neighbourhood-focused," Canilho says. "We want to get to know all the locals, so as well as food, we'll sell milk and papers."

Gambaro family recipes such as Canilho's grandmother's meatballs served on panini, as well as baked eggs in a home-made napoli sauce feature on the menu.

Cafe Gia is housed in a corner store cottage.
Cafe Gia is housed in a corner store cottage.Bradley Kanaris

A display cabinet will have lasagne, wraps and cakes, all made in house with a strong representation of gluten-free treats, Canilho says.

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Canilho says her mother, who worked at the family restaurant for 20 years, missed hospitality and was looking for somewhere to set up a cafe with her daughters.

The trio have ripped up the lino to showcase the original floorboards, given the cottage a lick of paint and installed a kitchen and a large window to draw in light.

Open daily from 6am until early afternoon.

132 Butterfield Street, Herston, 07 3852 5352

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