Culinary director and chef Francesco ”Frankie” Balestrieri (and a few fans) at Agostinis Italian restaurant in the East Hotel. Photo: Agostinis.
Who are you?
Francesco Frankie Balestrieri, the culinary director of East Hotel group.
Tell me about the East Hotel venues
We have Agostinis and Joe’s Bar at East Hotel, Sosta at the Red Shed, Occasioni for functions and Zuma: opening at East Hotel in May for lunch and dinner. It’s the new baby of the group. I can’t tell you what it is yet, but it won’t be Italian food!
How did you get involved in the hospitality industry?
I studied hospitality in Italy for five years, and after that I travelled the world: US, London, lots of different places. In 2005, I moved to Canberra and started working in Kingston. Next year I will have spent half of my life in Canberra! In the last year, I’ve been out of the kitchen, developing new projects for the company.
Did you have a dream job as a kid?
When I was young, I told my mum I wanted to be either a mortician or chef because everyone goes out for dinner and everybody dies! But my mum said, “Fra, I think a chef is better!” so I went to culinary school!
What is your food philosophy?
Simple, tasty, fresh, and not too complex.
Joe’s Bar. Photo: Supplied/Joe’s Bar.
What is your favourite ingredient to use when cooking?
Italian sausage. I put that on lots of dishes and I also use a lot of chilli.
What’s an underrated Canberra venue that you love?
CBD Dumpling House: They’ve been open for, like, 10 years and they’re always busy.
Where do you like to go for a nice, casual meal?
Onzieme is also a good spot. A few times we’ve been able to jump in without booking, which is pretty nice. They always squeeze us in: I even said: ‘’Just put me in the kitchen!’’
Hao Chen is the founder of Raku Dining. Photo: Raku Dining.
Who do you admire in the Canberra food scene?
I think Raku has done a very good job – they’ve been open for a long time with the same people and they’re still in the kitchen and involved.
Where’s the best place for a drink in Canberra?
Now I have a family, so I don’t go out for drinks so much, but before that I used to enjoy going to Hijinks in New Acton for a margarita.
Who is your dream dinner party guest, and what would you make them?
My wife and I would make her pasta with lobster. It’s difficult to find a very good one in a restaurant and I know she likes it. It’s fresh and simple.
What is your current food obsession?
Asian-style chicken or dumplings.
Cafe Sosta at the Red Shed throws out the rule book and lets you eat meatballs for breakfast. Photo: Cafe Sosta/Instagram.
What’s the best thing you ate this week?
The pasta with vodka sauce, cooked in the pizza oven. Vodka, tomato, and a little bit of spice with nduja. We finish it in the oven so the pasta gets a bit crispy on top.
What’s a food that reminds you of your childhood?
Lasagne! When my mum visited us recently, she made nine of them and we froze them. I still have one left! She makes it with mozzarella cheese, tomato, bechamel, but no meat! Lots of basil, and four layers of pasta.
What’s a normal breakfast for you?
Avocado on toast if I’m in Canberra, but if I’m in Italy it’s fried doughnuts we call them ciambelle fritte.
Where do you shop for groceries?
I get a lot of my specialty Italian ingredients from work! But I also go to the deli at Fyshwick Markets, and the Kingston Supabarn is pretty amazing.
When you can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, where do you go and what do you eat?
For lunchtime I get the chicken noodle salad from Saigon Foodies. It’s a tiny takeaway shop in Kingston. The woman who runs that is lovely.
The East Hotel hospitality team: Francesco, Dion, Dan and John. Photo: Adam McGrath.
Where are you travelling next?
I’m going to Italy! I’m actually from Rome but I’m not going home, for this trip we’re going to Venice and the Dolomites to ski and relax. We’ll be away for about 19 days.
Tell me something you love about living in Canberra?
No traffic, it’s a really easy city to live in. It’s a clean city, and very green.
What TV show are you watching right now?
Tulsa King with Sylvester Stallone. It’s about him coming out of jail, criminality, drugs, it’s an action series of 10 or 12 episodes.
An easy one to finish: What’s your go-to coffee order?
At home I drink double-shot black coffee. And then when I get to Agostinis I usually drink a skinny mocha. When I was full time in the kitchen I would always have a double-shot black coffee at 6 pm before dinner service.
Follow Agostinis Italian, Joe’s Bar, Sosta and Occasioni on Instagram.
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