After 32 years, the Tognini family has ushered in a thoughtful rebrand of its cherished Milton deli and cafe. Dopo Eatery honours its predecessor’s legacy while embracing a modern, community-focused future. Swing through for reimagined breakfast classics and Italian-leaning lunch dishes alongside the same glowing hospitality you know and love.
Three decades is a long time in the hospitality game. After those innings, your business is likely deeply entrenched in the local community and is a well-known and beloved go-to for many.
So, it stands to reason that changing things up after 30 years would be a massive gamble – after all, why fix something that isn’t broken?
Tognini’s Cafe & Deli had been operating for 32 years before owners Narelle and Mark Tognini decided to shake things up. But the couple didn’t decide to instigate the change on a whim – a planned redevelopment of the deli’s home (Milton Village on Baroona Road) meant significant construction works would be taking place next door.
Seeing a ripe opportunity to reassess and realign their business towards the tastes of Milton’s contemporary demographics, the Tognini’s team decided to pivot.
“We’ve been here 32 years,” says Narelle. “Over 32 years things have changed – delicatessens like our deli probably aren’t as relevant today. So we decided to rebrand and refresh while still doing what we do best, which is producing great food.”
Blackbox Design Co. has worked on Dopo Eatery’s aesthetic, which is warm and comfortable | Credit: James Frostick
Earlier this month, Tognini’s Cafe & Deli was reborn as Dopo Eatery – a fetching cafe that took the best bits of its previous guise and repurposed in an alluring new package. Working with Ann Huntington of Blackbox Design Co., the Togninis devised a texture-driven aesthetic scheme that prioritised approachability and familiarity.
While much of the back-of-house amenities were retained, regular customers are now greeted by a neutral colour scheme anchored by earthy tiles, a terrazzo-topped communal table, eye-catching light fixtures, rendered concrete and sturdy European-oak furniture.
“We’ve got loyal customers who’ve been coming here for years and we don’t want to scare them too much,” Narelle explains. “We want to make it feel like home again – we want it to feel warm and inviting, and we wanted to do that with just colour and finishes.”
Much like Tognini’s Cafe & Deli before, Dopo Eatery prides itself on its utility. The venue is broadcasting versatility through its name, declaring itself as a nifty place to pop-in between errands – post-gym caffeine, after-school catch-ups and a pit-stop for grocery shopping supplements.
“The word dopo means ‘after’ in Italian,” Narelle tells us. “It kind of refers to after the deli and after Tognini’s. Here we are.”
Dopo Eatery’s menu features all-day breakfast and lunch items, plus cabinet items | Credit: James Frostick
To match the refreshed digs, Dopo’s kitchen is pumping out a retooled menu that, while familiar, still features plenty of newness for guests to sink their teeth into.
“We wanted to elevate the menu to a degree,” says Narelle. “We wanted to put forward an interesting offer – something that’s very current, something that still uses fresh produce and something that has a little bit of an Italian slant.”
For breakfast, you might opt for heirloom-tomato bruschetta with avocado, pumpkin hummus and black-olive crumb, corn fritters with tomato salsa, poached egg and shaved parmesan, or the Dopo chilli scrambled eggs on stracciatella-slathered sourdough toast, given heat courtesy of ‘nduja and chilli paprika oil.
At lunch, the offering segues into a selection of starters, salads and mains – think calamari fritti, buttermilk chicken burgers, herb-crusted salmon, cacio e pepe, and crab-and-prawn ravioli.
A grab-and-go cabinet is amply stocked with fresh salads, sandwiches and sweets, with Dello Mano brownies and Tognini’s famed muffins still taking pride of place. Dopo retains a small deli portion at the venue’s rear, featuring ready-made meals and gourmet provisions from trusted suppliers.
On the beverage front, you’ll find coffee, teas, shakes and smoothies alongside a clutch of boozy tipples. “We’re keeping it clean and simple – there’s a couple of Italians, a couple of Australian wines and a French rosé,” says Narelle.
Dopo Eatery can be found at Milton Village on Baroona Road | Credit: James Frostick
All told, Dopo is a worthy successor to Tognini’s Cafe & Deli – a family-owned business well positioned to endure another 30 years, becoming a cherished meeting spot for future generations.
“You want to always attract new clientele, but you also don’t want to lose your loyal existing clientele – the ones that have been coming here for 30 years that used to come here with small children, and now those children have grown and turned into adults and are bringing their own kids in,” says Narelle.
“I think [Dopo Eatery] has invigorated us – it is invigorating because it’s just such a nice, fresh space and it gives you a new lease on life.”
Dopo Eatery is now open to the public. Tognini’s popular Christmas menu is still available to order via the Tognini’s Catering website. Head to The Directory for Dopo’s contact details and operating hours.
Dining and Cooking