New Weston restaurant Pronto gives a nod to the art of suburban hospitality

Peek through the doors, or better yet, grab a table at Weston’s latest restaurant, Pronto, and you’ll be left without a doubt that Weston has spoken – this place is a hit.

Pronto began life on the main drag of Queanbeyan, where it opened in 2021. The Weston location is the second to bear the Pronto name, with owners Josh and Jon Kosteski recognising a dual opportunity to bring Italian food to Weston and to cater to the growing trend of people wanting to dine within their own suburbs.

“We’ve noticed a growing trend in suburban hospitality, where people increasingly prefer to dine close to home,” says Josh.

“This shift has been influenced by changes in how we live and work, particularly with the rise of remote work. When the opportunity arose to open a restaurant in Weston, it was a natural decision. The area is experiencing significant growth, and with no other Italian restaurants currently in the suburb, we saw a chance to bring something truly special to the community.”

Stepping through the arched doorway of Pronto, you are greeted by a warm, earthy palette of colours that contrasts with the bold, open commercial kitchen, which brings the action of the busy kitchen right to your table.

“Our goal was to strike a balance between modern comfort and classic Italian warmth—somewhere that feels just as perfect for a relaxed midweek meal as it does for a special occasion,” explains Josh.

The restaurant features many clever design touches from an experienced design hand. The built-in storage and cabinetry seamlessly meld into the walls, the massive kitchen counter is imposing yet somehow unobtrusive at the same time, and the woodfired pizza oven is accessible through a slot in the wall behind the front counter, allowing for a touch of theatre as soon as you enter the space.

“We worked closely with Melina Design Group to bring this vision to life, drawing inspiration from traditional Italian trattorias blended with contemporary design elements,” says Josh.

“From the earthy tones and natural textures to the open, welcoming layout, every detail was chosen to create a space where people can gather, share great food and feel at home.”

Pronto takes its Italian food seriously and is certified by the globally recognised organisation Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. This process requires training in Naples to master the craft to the highest standards.

“Every step of our process, from sourcing authentic ingredients to perfecting the dough stretch and fermentation, adheres to the strict standards set by the AVPN,” explains Josh.

Heading to Pronto on a Thursday night to check out the buzz for myself, I was greeted at 8:15 pm by a full restaurant, flames flying high in the open kitchen and absolutely no sign of the current hospitality crises.

We decided to try the Feed Me menu, which is $65 per person. It was a perfectly presented procession of dishes that didn’t miss a beat.

From the puffed focaccia bread with olive oil and balsamic that was hot, chewy and airy, through to the oversized gnocchi nestled in two types of mushrooms, the plump Aussie king prawns, the crunchy calamari, a perfect pair of arancini, and the Delicata pizza with salty prosciutto and creamy ricotta toppings, every dish was perfectly seasoned, and the timing was nicely paced for an enjoyable evening.

For dessert, we had a platter of three selections: passionfruit crème brûlée, zeppole (Italian doughnuts) and a slice of sticky date pudding with ice cream.

The Feed Me menu was sizeable and excellent value. I can imagine an Italian nonna dishing up these quantities, and quantity never detracted from quality.

Throughout the meal, early diners crossed paths with late diners and tables replenished with new diners even close to closing time with the community embracing the well-executed Italian fare and cosy surroundings, a sentiment reflected by the owners.

“Opening a restaurant in the current economic climate comes with its challenges, but the enthusiasm and loyalty of the Weston community have made all the difference,” says Josh, who sees a long future for Pronto.

“The energy, the conversations, and the sense of connection we’ve felt in just these first few weeks have been truly special. We’re thrilled to be here, and we look forward to being part of the neighbourhood for many years to come.”

Pronto is open for lunch and dinner six days a week from Tuesday to Sunday. Bookings for both of their locations can be made on their website.