Carne & Cucina invites you to Maria & Carolina — a special four-course dinner by Chef Nico, honouring the women who taught him that food is love. Before he fell for Alex, the two most important women in his life were his grandmothers: Maria from Lake Varano and Carolina from Naples. By fate or something finer, Alex’s middle names just happened to be Maria Carolina (talk about meant to be). And so, this dinner is a tribute to all three. A night inspired by memory, cooked with heart, and paired with soul-stirring wines from the great Piero of Godot Wines — blending family, fire, and flavour in every bite.

“Cook with love; your heart must always be in the pot.” — Maria & Carolina

The menu

4 courses, welcome snacks + petit four, paired with matching Godot Wines

Welcome Snacks
Mini Casatiello · Bruschetta with smoked Australian eel (a memory of Nonna Maria)

Antipasto
Char-grilled Fremantle octopus, baby potatoes, lemon-myrtle gremolata (a memory of Nonna Carolina)

First Course
Gnocchetti in slow-cooked Sanmarzano tomato sugo, basil, mozzarella (a memory of Nonna Carolina)

Main (shared)
Family mixed grill over ironbark fire (heritage pork sausage,  lamb cutlets, rangers valley sirloin ) ( a memory from both of my grandmothers)

Dessert 
Migliaccio (semolina-ricotta cake, orange-blossom honey) (a memory of Nonna Carolina)

Petit Four 
Mandorle atterate Chocolate-coated almonds (a memory of Nonna Maria)