Piatto is the latest venue from the family behind Mermaid’s much-loved Lupo, Brad and Thea Pearce alongside their son Harry. A tiny 16-seater with a big heart, Piatto is the realisation of the great hospitality dream for the family who has always been drawn to the concept of the single-chef micro restaurant. Less staff, fewer overheads, a seasonal, set menu and a more intimate experience for diners – it all made perfect sense. Literally translated to mean ‘plate’, Piatto is a cosy Italian-inspired eatery that offers a succinct menu that invites diners to choose any three dishes for $79 per person. Begin with a bite from the antipasto selection, such as marinated artichokes with whipped ricotta, before moving on to the primo dishes, which include three different kinds of pasta. The freshly made prawn and fennel cannelloni is an early stand-out, while meat-free mates will love the silk handkerchiefs with mushrooms and egg yolk. As for the secondo selections, diners can choose between King George whiting, free-range chicken breast diavola or Mediterranean vegetable torta. Bring your meal to a sweet end with a dessert handmade by Thea. When it comes to the tipples the selection is similarly concise, offering a clutch of Campari-based cocktails, Italian beer and wine.