Loud, fun and boisterous, the atmosphere here is straight outta an Italian trattoria. Food flies out of the kitchen, glasses clink, plates are passed back and forth and the hubbub is as noisy as a large family get-together. Recently renovated to open the space into a big, warm hug, the restaurant – operated by owner-chef Sergio Maglione – features slick service delivered with lots of chat and pace. For starters, order from the bar. The oyster and seafood one that is. Not your thing? There’s a mozzarella bar, too, where handmade burratina and treccina deserve attention. Take the house motto, ‘life is a combination of magic and pasta’, as your cue to follow up with dishes such as duck-filled cappellacci in butter and sage with truffle carpaccio and parmesan, or the vongole with clams, garlic, fresh chilli, white wine and parsley, truly a linguine classic done very well. Drinks-wise, the good-looking bar offers a taste of Italy, France and Spain alongside some New Zealand all-stars. It’s the perfect excuse to settle in at a window seat on a weekend afternoon and watch the world go by. Check website for opening hours MAINS: $36-$45 Photos: Jono Parker