One of chef Orazio D’Elia’s enduring memories of life in the village of Pomigliano d’Arco in Napoli is sitting at a long table at his parents’ house in the foothills of Mt Vesuvius. The chef recalls a table laden with bowls of pasta, plates of prosciutto with mozzarella di bufala, marinated eggplant, roasted vegetables, and salads.

“I was very fortunate to have two nonnas who lived nearby, and Sundays were the perfect day to be together,” D’Elia recalls. “There was always a lot of food, and it was rustic and straightforward. These gatherings were loud, fun, and beautiful. You have the parmigiana sitting on the table bubbling away, roasted vegetables, rabbit and ragu. There are kids climbing trees, lots of family talking with their hands like they are at the opera.”

D’Elia says he is hoping to replicate “è la tradizione italiana’ at his restaurant for the American Express delicious. Month Out event, Sunday Session: Long Lunch with Da Orazio on Sunday, April 30.

“I have been in Australia for nearly 20 years, and one of my dreams as a chef is to give people this feeling that I had growing up in Italy at these big family occasions. I want people to arrive at Da Orazio as guests and leave as family,” he says.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, with the chef feeling the ongoing impacts of staff shortages, as well as the pinch of rising ingredient costs. But the venue has been embraced by the community, and D’Elia says the Long Lunch event will be a welcome celebration of his namesake diner’s one-year anniversary. 

Related review: Da Orazio brings a slice of Italy to Bondi Beach 

The revamped 90-seat venue now has more of a Mediterranean feel with textured white walls, warm, ambient lighting and custom furniture featuring Italian tiles.

“The Long Lunch menu connects the dots between the quattro stagioni [four seasons] and reflects the rebrand of the restaurant and its lap around the sun,” he says.

The produce-driven shared multi-course menu will take diners on a journey starting with a pizzetta and Campari soda, followed by an autumnal-inspired starter of king prawn wrapped in guanciale served with a porcini jus and smoked potatoes. The wintry dish of cavatelli Pugliesi with oxtail ragu and gremolata is one of Orazio’s childhood favourites. A fillet of roasted cod served with chickpeas and Parmigiano crisps and a drizzle of rosemary oil will evoke the season of spring and connect diners from Bondi to the Bay of Naples. To finish, a light, summery lime and raspberry meringue tart reminds guests why this outpost of Naples is the pride and joy of the Eastern Suburbs.

“Everyone eating together like a big family is the Italian tradition I want to bring to my restaurant and to this long lunch in Bondi. The motto is ‘vivi l’esperienza Italiana’. Live the Italian experience,” he says.

What: Sunday Session: Long Lunch with Da Orazio
When: Sunday, April 30 with sittings at 12pm and 2:30pm
Where: Da Orazio, Shop LG 09, The Hub, 75/79 Hall St, Bondi Beach
Cost: $120 per person, which includes cocktail on arrival, shared multi-course menu, wines, live entertainment and gift
Tickets available from Resy.com

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