Meatballs and fresh spaghetti are on the menu at Cafe Sosta. Photo: Adam McGrath.
Lake walkers, early morning rowers and cyclists now have another fuel stop at the lake – Cafe Sosta has opened in the newly built Red Shed on Black Mountain Peninsula.
The Red Shed is a multi-million dollar project created to give 1000 public school kids a year the opportunity to learn how to row.
The sport has become the exclusive domain of rich private schools in recent years due to the costs of getting started, but Canberra local John Gasson and his wife Janette have poured $10 million into the state-of-the-art facility that will provide inclusive opportunities for more people to take part in the sport.
Cafe Sosta is just one part of the grand design. Bisa Hospitality – the group behind Joe’s Bar, Agostini’s and Occasioni by Agostinis – has taken on the space to create a cafe that encourages active lake users to relax.
“We named the space Cafe Sosta – Sosta being the Italian noun to take a break, to pause and to stop!” Dion Bisa of Bisa Hospitality said.
“Having a busy rowing schedule with rowers moving in and out of the shed daily and local Canberrans riding bikes, running and walking around the lake, we wanted to offer a place to take a break, stop and replenish.”
The Bisa Hospitality team (Francesco Balestrieri, Dion Bisa, Dan Bisa) with Red Shed owner John Glasson. Photo: Adam McGrath.
The cafe will offer all-day dining with an Italian twist.
Culinary director chef Francesco Balestrieri has designed a menu of healthy Mediterranean dishes. For breakfast, try the Eggs in RED: a dish of baked eggs with capsicum, tomato, basil and chickpeas.
There’s a long list of sandwiches made to order, like mortadella and mozzarella with pistachio pesto or smashed avocado, peas, mint and goat cheese. For something more hearty, try the pasta (made fresh at Agostini’s) or the wagyu steak sandwich.
The cafe and adjoining function space will be used for events and weddings. Photo: Adam McGrath.
Coffee, juice and tea are available, as well as a drinks list of local and Italian beer and wine. The Sosta Spritz is a house version of the ever-popular Aperol Spritz and will likely be a favourite with customers.
The space will also be available to hire for events, with catering from Occasioni by Agostinis.
“Having the opportunity to run a cafe and hold events right on Lake Burley Griffin’s edge was one we couldn’t resist. The view at The Red Shed is spectacular, and such a unique venue for weddings, special birthdays and corporate events,” Dion Bisa explained.
John Glasson developed The Red Shed to open up opportunities for more people to experience the benefits of rowing. Photo: James Coleman
Whether you’re dropping in for a coffee and pistachio cream-filled croissant on your early morning walk, or having a leisurely weekend lunch, take a break at Cafe Sosta.
Cafe Sosta opened on 22 July and is now open for events.
Cafe Sosta is located at The Red Shed, John Cardiff Close, Black Mountain Peninsula. The cafe is open to walk-ins from 7 am to 2 pm, seven days a week. Follow Cafe Sosta on Instagram.
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