CHEF Bryan Gerlini is following in the footsteps of his mentor, Pasi Petanen, and opening a pop-up, Classico Moderno, at Darlinghurst next month.
Petanen opened the temporary Cafe Paci, in Darlinghurst’s old Cafe Pacifico site in 2013 — a pop-up that lasted two years.
“Hopefully it will be the same with me,” says Gerlini, 29, who has also worked at A Tavola and Capriccio in Leichhardt, plus Brunetti in Melbourne, and in Italy with Michelin-starred chefs Tiziano Rossetti and Stefano Ciotti.
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READ NOW“I’m sub-renting an existing Italian restaurant, La Pesa. It’s also a safe procedure for me before I buy and get into something too serious,” says Gerlini.
Gerlini will play to his regional strengths with traditional dishes from his native Emilia-Romagna region, including piadina, tortellini and bolognese, and giving them a modern spin. Also expect signature cotechino and lentil sliders and cannoli di mortadella on the menu. He has also managed to snare Francesco Guerra (ex Gelato Messina) for the desserts menu.
A Tavola chef Eugenio Maiale, has also offered help in Gerlini’s first solo venture.
“Pasi and Eugenio have both been very supportive and generous with their advice and time,” Gerlini says. “I want to do my own food, my way, and they’ve helped give me the courage to take the leap.”
Classico Moderno will offer $65 six-course degustation or $45 three-course a DIY menu inspired by Emilia “meat and veg”, and Romagna “fish and veg” with each dish wine-match option.
“It’s one of the most famous regions of Italy for all of its produce, like balsamic vinegar, prosciutto de parma, parmigiano reggionao, cotechino, mortadella.”
But Gerlini would only follow Petanen so far.
“He offered me his old space as a joke, but of course I said no. I’m not going to repeat what you’ve done already,” Gerlini says.
Classico Moderno, at 172-174 Liverpool St, opens October 13.
