Mia Dolci Italiani brings an early slice of cake to Alexandria ahead of January launch

If you enjoy a cheeky early peek at your presents, one festive season arrival is doing a soft opening this week.

Mia Dolci Italiani, the co-production from former Rockpool executive pastry chef Riccardo Falcone and Da Orazio chef Orazio D'Elia, has opened in Alexandria.

"We'll be open 6am to 3pm until Friday, then launch properly mid-January with extended hours into the weekends," says D'Elia.

Keen to test their systems and warm up the equipment, Mia Dolci is turning out the style of high-end cakes and sweet treats it will soon supply to restaurants through its wholesale arm.

The converted warehouse space is a pastry chef's dream. Mostly kitchen, a small cafe at the front offers a view of its internal workings through glass. Falcone points proudly to his newborns: a chocolate room, gelato-making corner and bakery.

A designer display cabinet, imported from Italy, is filled daily with tiramisu, cheesecake and chocolate truffle. Pizza, focaccia and "Italian quiche" are also part of the medium-term plans.

A start-up from chefs of the calibre and experience​ of Falcone and D'Elia is rare, but this one has been brewing for some time.

While the duo both grew up in Campania, they met in Sydney. They found themselves constantly talking about the food of their youth.

"In Australia we have bakeries on every corner. In our hometowns it is pasticcerie. We decided we wanted to bring a piece of our heritage here," D'Elia says.

The setting might be industrial, but Mia Dolci is directly opposite the Euston Road entrance to Sydney Park.

Its chef owners will be hoping its calorie-stripped walkers and joggers will pop in for coffee and a cake.

Open Mon-Fri 6am-3pm (new hours from mid-January).

Shop GO3, 200 Euston Road, Alexandria, miadolci.com.au