In February, after an 18-month closure, Carlton’s King & Godfree precinct sprung back to life with the opening of zippy pizzeria Garfield. Delmonte, the second of three new venues slated for King & Godfree’s rebirth, will open at the end of winter, owner Jamie Valmorbida announced today.
Italian restaurant and wine room Delmonte will be centred around a wood oven and grill, with a focus on Italian wines, especially those from Piedmont. “Delmonte is about honouring the building’s history. The corner has always been a place for people to come together over food and wine, and I wanted to respect that – this venue is a continuation of that legacy,” Valmorbida says.
Chef Diana Desensi, who most recently led the kitchen at Daphne and previously worked with King & Godfree culinary director Karen Martini at Saint George in St Kilda, has been appointed as Delmonte’s head chef. She rounds out an impressive food and drink team that also includes executive chef Mark Glenn (ex-Cumulus head chef, ex-Dinner by Heston).
The team says while the menu will be rooted in the simple style of a classic Italian osteria, it won’t restrict itself to tradition – a contemporary, broader interpretation will define the style here. It’ll also pay tribute to the building’s history as one of Melbourne’s more storied delis.
“The menu is simple and seasonal, with a big nod to the deli – cheeses, salumi, pickled things. It’s a true neighbourhood place, somewhere you can drop in for a quick glass of wine or stay for a long meal,” Valmorbida says.
As at Garfield, George McCullough of Gum Wine will oversee a wine program that also includes a few special bottles from the King & Godfree cellar.
The name Delmonte honours Valmorbida’s grandfather Carlo Valmorbida, who was born in the mountains of northeastern Italy in a village of Valli del Pasubio – del monte means from the mountain in Italian. Carlo took over the heritage-listed King & Godfree building in 1955, establishing it as one of the city’s iconic food institutions.
The interiors, designed by longtime Valmorbida collaborator Dion Hall, will reference European wine bars, with terrazzo floors and timber finishes.
A basement-level cocktail and music bar, which will occupy the building’s former wine cellar and events space, will be the third and final new venue to open as part of Valmorbida’s new vision for the property.
Delmonte is scheduled to open at the start of winter.
Dining and Cooking