FILLED WITH ITALIAN PASSION!

In its seventh year of business, Pane e Vino Italian Pizzeria on Williamson Avenue continues to be packed every night because owner Tito Cucciniello and his team are passionate about what they do.

To find out what makes Tito tick, we asked him a few questions...

What is your inspiration and who do attribute your success to?
I was influenced by my mother back in Vieste - Gargano Peninsula in the south of Italy. She is in her late 70s now but still continues to run her own restaurant - she’s always an inspiration to me.

What special dish do you recall your mother making?
One of my favourite dishes I remember her making is calamari ripieni. This dish is made fresh daily using different types of fish. For Matteo, he is from Verona in the north and he remembers his mother often used wild game - pork, deer, rabbit - which she would turn into pasta dishes like homemade ravioli or gnocchi.

What is your favourite pizza?
My favourite pizza is the Regina! This is made with Palma ham, Italian blue cheese and rocket. Whereas Matteo’s favourite pizza is rather simple, it includes prosciutto and mushroom. We love all our pizzas though and we are proud to say our wood-fired classic Italian pizzas are topped with fresh local produce and quality Italian imported products such as porcini mushrooms, buffalo mozzarella, sundried tomato, pork, cured meat and more.

What can we find on the menu other than pizza?
At Pane e Vino we have an extensive lunch and dinner menu with a range of reasonably priced set menus to choose from. Gnocchi di Spinaci, Ravioli Asparagi Pesce alla Pugliese (GF) Grilled snapper fillet topped with fresh chopped tomato, capers, red onions and black olives $27 are always favourites but check out our menu on our website.

The Rosso Pomodoro menu includes a variety of classic deep fried appetisers; Sicilian rice balls with different fillings, potato croquettes, vegetarian options and crumbed fresh mozzarella. Traditional Italian desserts are also available to take out. On Tuesday and Wednesdays nights any pizza is just $15.

What is the experience you want people to be left with?
I love making my customers feel they have been transported to Italy. I have created a ‘family’ environment at Pane e Vino and I get loads of feedback - the common element being, “eating here we feel like we’re part of the family.”

I hear you have won awards?
I won a Lewisham Award (2006) as creator of best ambience and style, and was a finalist in the category ‘best waiter in Auckland, (2009). I’ve appeared on the Good Morning show for cooking demonstration segments. Our latest award was coming second in the New Zealand Pizza Championships in 2015.

PANE E VINO, Williamson Avenue, T: 09 360 0263, www.paneevino.co.nz
ROSSO POMODORO, 356 Great North Road, Grey Lynn