Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON isn’t a food-court fan, sometimes finds herself at a shopping centre feeling peckish. What to do?

ON a recent weekend I steered away from the food court and headed straight to Negozio by Amelia, new at the Canberra Centre and in the Beauty Garden, behind Raku. 

It’s a charming spot with a welcoming vibe… a lovely Italian bottega with great coffee, loads of Italian goodies and deli items to buy, a showcase of sweets, and an impressive breakfast menu (small but mighty). 

While my late breakfast was being made, I browsed the shelves lined with coffee, juices, wines, biscuits, and sauces, including Bippi Italian-style chilli, “approved by nonna”. Also, Italian country-style pasta or a pasta maker for those who want to create their own.

I also browsed the large glass display with rows and rows of beautiful-looking Italian desserts (same style and quality as sister operation Pasticceria Amelia, Belconnen Markets). They’re irresistible and made with love from Nonna Amelia’s most treasured and traditional recipes.

Out of the three breakfast options on the menu, I selected the chilli scramble ($17.50). The silky scrambled eggs were served on top of slices of sourdough. Dollops of Bippi Italian-style chilli and a lovely salsa verde added colour and loads of flavour. Tiny micro herbs danced on top. It was a perfect portion and thumbs up for the sensational eggs, which were not overcooked, clunky or dry. Delightful.

The second breakfast option, which sounded just as lovely, was bruschetta with sauteed greens, confit vine tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, fried eggs and salsa verde ($19.90). The third was waffles, created with whipped Sicilian ricotta, berries, pistachios, coconut, rose water floss and brulée peach ($22).

I struggled to select a dessert because they were all so gorgeous, but settled on a chocolate and blood orange dome. It was pretty as a picture – light and not too sweet. 

The jelly on the outside was a deep ruby red and little gold leaves formed a perfect circle around the bottom. I was called away after it was served, but Negozio by Amelia didn’t skip a beat in packaging it up for me to take home, with the dome placed ever-so-carefully on a gold take-away plate.

Although I didn’t have a coffee (I was already over my daily limit), I bought a kilo of the Roasting Warehouse Espresso blend, which is what Negozio by Amelia was pouring on my visit. It’s rich and strong, with lovely earthy tones.

The décor is light, bright and airy at Negozio by Amelia. The café is entirely open and the marble tables with gold bases add a touch of class. Service was super friendly, and everyone was greeted and thanked for coming.