The motto at Melbourne’s Paesani is Unici si...ma é meglio essere i migliori, which translates from the Italian to Good to be unique, better to be the best. Indeed, up here in Niddrie, Paesani is considered one of the area’s most authentic and stylish Italian restaurants, with a chic and light-filled space down Keilor Road attracting a horde of regulars. The attraction is of course the fine food and good drink, with a wine list focusing on Australian, New Zealand and, of course, Italian vintages designed to pair perfectly with the bel paese cuisine on offer. Food-wise, the menu represents dishes and culinary styles from across Italy, but we can heartily recommend the housemade ravioli and gnocchi, and a multitude of antipasti and piatti incorporating Paesani’s marinated olives and eggplant, prepared according to a southern Italian, Calabrese-style, secret family recipe.