Fortuna Drink & Eat Burwood

What do you get when you fuse Australia's easy-going culture with Italy's world-famous kitchens? Let's just say it doesn't look too dissimilar to Fortuna...

The restaurant-equivalent to a fizzy Aperol Spritz, Fortuna is a colourful, summery delight. Even on approaching Fortuna will you feel a rise in endorphins as the bold, hand-painted exterior stirs excitement for what's ahead. Inside, summer is a year-long affair. Caramel-coloured bistro chairs get cosy with gleaming tables whilst a plush sofa encircles the whole dining room. And whilst it might sound rather restrained, Fortuna's bubbly personality shines through all the art that adorns the walls, celebrating the good things in life and heralding some of the best local artists in the area.

The menu is Italian through and through. Let's start with the freshly made pastas where you'll find paccheri pomodoro, lamb ragu, king prawn spaghetti and tuna and anchovy fusilli. As for pizza, these exquisitely crispy bases are topped with mushrooms, truffle, Soppressa salami, creamy mozzarella, salty Parmesan and even an irresistible drizzle of honey.

Other mains include market fish dressed up the Italian way with a zesty sauce and seasonal greens, the meaty goodness of BBQ porchetta, and veal Milanese. And if that sounds like it's enough to put you off dessert, think again. With the likes of house-made tiramisu, lemon gelato and meringue, all good intentions are thrown out of the window for a spoonful of Italian dolci.