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Adelaide’s eastern suburbs is about to welcome a new kind of Italian dining experience, one that’s warm, intimate, personal, and shaped by the woman behind it. Opening this summer, Sognare Italiano honours a dream (sognare means “to dream”) that grew too loud for its owner, Deanna Pallotta, to ignore.
“Sognare Italiano is a tribute to my family, especially my dad, who first encouraged the idea,” she shares.
“Growing up in an Italian household, food and drink was at the centre of everything. Our home was always full of family and friends, gathered around my mum’s table playing cards, laughing, sharing meals and stories.”
And while many venues claim authenticity, few compare to Sognare’s connection to Deanna – her childhood, her family, her favourite colour, even the way she likes to eat with friends. She describes the venture as “two parts of my life coming together.”
“On one side is my traditional Italian upbringing. On the other is my modern-day life,” she says.
“Sognare is my way of merging those two worlds, the comfort and tradition I grew up with, and the social, vibrant dining and music culture I enjoy today.”
The menu stays as close to Neapolitan family tradition as you’d expect from a venue built on heritage. Everything shared, everything abundant, everyone gathered.
“The food is meant to bring people together, whether you’re sharing a few plates with friends or settling in for a proper meal,” Deanna explains.
Neapolitan-style pizza made to the standards required for APN (Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani) certification and fresh homemade pasta lead the lineup, finessed by who she describes as their “amazing chef.”
The drinks list lets the food lead the way, thoughtfully designed to complement rather than compete, and a separate bar menu suits those dropping in for something lighter. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights seals the atmosphere, a nod to the vibrant energy she’s always been drawn to.
“It is the kind of place where you can come for a full dinner or simply a drink and stay for the vibe,” she adds.
The interiors, shaped under the keen eye of Anthony Cirocco Designs (the studio behind some of Adelaide’s most notable hospitality fit-outs) and built by Lorenzo Gentilcore and Jaycore Constructions, balance romantic lighting with an open kitchen and bar that keep guests close to the action. Pink, her favourite colour, runs through the space in soft and deep tones, paired with reds, beiges and warm timber. “The result is a space that feels inviting and personal,” she says.
The Sognare dream took two years to culminate in reality, and while it’s Deanna’s first foray into hospitality ownership, she’s well-equipped.
“I am incredibly fortunate to be supported every step of the way by my family, my friends, and the amazing team of staff who have become such an important part of this business,” she says.
Her decade-long background in customer service, including women’s fashion, beauty and hospitality shaped her focus on genuine connection, which will become central to the Sognare experience.
“You will find me at the front of the venue, greeting guests and making sure every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed, comfortable, and looked after,” she adds.
An ode to Italian culture – its togetherness, its warmth, its joy – Sognare gives the magic of dining out a neighbourhood home. A dream realised for Deanna, and soon, one for the rest of us.
“Creating that warm, inviting atmosphere is at the heart of everything I do. I want people to leave Sognare with an experience.”
Sognare Italiano is slated to open December/January at 1-2 163 Magill Road, Maylands.
For the website, click here.
@sognareitaliano_
Dining and Cooking