Eugenio Maiale carved out his reputation in Adelaide as the chef and owner of respected Grimaldis, Citrus and Auge restaurants. Arriving in Sydney 6 years ago, Eugenio worked with some of Sydney’s best Italian chefs, including Stefano Manfredi. In 2007 Eugenio opened A Tavola, an authentic neighbourhood restaurant in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. A Tavola opened to widespread critical acclaim, which culminated in receiving a coveted chefs hat in its first year of operation.
The inspiration behind A Tavola – literally meaning “to the table” - derives from Eugenio Maiale’s upbringing. As a child, Maiale would play in the backyard of his Adelaide home while his parents slaved away in the kitchen, yelling out “A Tavola” when dinner was ready. On the kitchen table were consistently simple, honest and traditional style classical dishes.
Best as described as predominantly “abruzzese” (Home to Eugneio’s family, north-east of Rome), A Tavola’s menu has a heavy emphasis on Eugenio’s dried and fresh hand crafted pasta, made the way his mother taught him. Prepared from scratch daily on A Tavola’s stunning ten-metre long marble table and cooked to order, the pasta is then served to guests each evening around the same table - a warm and inviting communal eating arrangement that pays homage to the Italian way of enjoying food with friends and family. Diners at A Tavola will taste honest food that is prepared with attention to detail and love – a difference that has seen A Tavola singled out a one of Sydney’s finest Italian eating-houses.
The stunning success of A Tavola led to the opening of Eugenio’s next Sydney restaurant and wine bar, Omerta in 2009. Following the same philosophy of simple, rustic fare, Omerta received its first chefs hat under the leadership of Eugenio. Described by Gourmet Traveler as ‘one of Australia’s leading chefs’, Eugenio Maiale’s innovation and culinary creativity have positioned him as one of Sydney’s best-respected Italian chefs.
Eugenio says: “With most Italian families, the best memories in life are all based around their table - with great food, great wine and a warm, convivial atmosphere. With A Tavola, I welcome you into our home to eat at our table to create memories like these of your own.”
Find out more at www.atavola.com.au
