Scarpetta brings contemporary Italian dining to Hamilton's Beaumont Street

Hamilton's dining scene has welcomed a fresh taste of Italy, with Scarpetta officially opening its doors on Beaumont Street.

The latest venture from chefs and restaurateurs Joel Humphreys and Nic Wong of Egg Shallot Hospitality, Scarpetta brings a contemporary take on Italian dining to 106 Beaumont Street, with house-made pasta, seasonal produce and an intimate dining space.

The pair are no strangers to Newcastle's hospitality scene. Alongside Bistro Penny, they've recently unveiled the restaurant's renovated upstairs dining room and opened Blue Ribbon Bistro at Leichhardt Bowling Club.

Now, their attention has turned to Hamilton, with the snappy modern Italian eatery celebrating the simple pleasures of Italian food.

The name comes from fare la scarpetta, the Italian tradition of using bread to mop up the last of the sauce on your plate. A fitting name for a restaurant where good food, generous flavours and enjoying every last bite are all part of the experience.

The Menu

House-made pasta is at the heart of the offering, alongside dishes featuring heirloom tomatoes, figs with fresh cheese, crisp fried zucchini flowers, and ripe peaches with prosciutto and good olive oil.

And of course, there's bread. Baked fresh daily using Bistro Penny's sourdough starter, Scarpetta's signature loaf is made for doing exactly what the restaurant's name suggests – mopping up every last bit of sauce. When asked which dish Joel best describes the menu experience at Scarpetta, Joel quickly details the raw tuna cannoli.

"The standout snack for me so far is the raw tuna cannoli," Joel said.

"A crisp shell filled with silky raw tuna, smoked ricotta, and crushed pistachio. It's a two-bite nod to Sicily and a fresh take on an Italian icon."

Bianca Isgro, Nicholas Wong, Joel Humphreys.

Leading the kitchen is Head Chef Alex Hunter (Bistro Penny, Al's Pasta, Louisiana Dreaming, Quay, Bennelong) Alex Hunter is no stranger to the Hunter.

Known across the region for his celebrated pop-ups, Alex has built a loyal following with his Italian flair and flavour-first approach to seasonal cooking, local produce, cooked simply and confidently, with the generosity of the Italian table at its heart.  

Head Chef Alex Hunter

For Joel, Scarpetta also brings together influences from his early years in hospitality.

He began his apprenticeship in Wellington, New Zealand, under the late Remiro Bresolin, working alongside his sons Lorenzo and Leonardo. The family's Italian restaurants helped shape Joel's approach to food and hospitality, eventually taking him to Sydney kitchens including Rockpool, Bistro Moncur and Bodega, before heading to London to work under Fergus Henderson at St John.

It's an impressive collection of experience, but at Scarpetta, the focus is on good ingredients, well-executed dishes, and a relaxed dining experience.

Italian wines worth exploring

The Italian influence continues through the wine list, curated by Florence Diffey, who has put together a selection that goes beyond the usual Italian favourites.

Expect lesser-known regions and varieties, including Piemontese Pelaverga and Pugliese Susumaniello, giving diners the opportunity to discover something a little different alongside their meal. 

The Design

While Scarpetta sits along one of Newcastle's busiest dining strips, step inside and the atmosphere takes on a completely different feel.

The space has been designed by Bianca Isgro, whose previous work includes Bistro Penny, The Dry Dock and The Bob Hawke Beer and Leisure Centre.

Working with the building's existing character, Bianca has brought together walnut veneer, chocolate carpet and chrome finishes, with an impressive eight-metre bar topped in aged zinc.

Blood-orange banquettes, crisp white linen and table lamps add to the intimate feel, creating a space that blends the charm of a traditional Italian trattoria with a more contemporary look.

For Nic Wong, who previously worked at Vini in Surry Hills and as Group Executive Chef at Icebergs and Cicciabella, the restaurant's entrance was one of the first things that caught his attention.

"The first thing I loved was the entry. It's discreet, you step off one of Newcastle's buzziest streets and the room just wraps around you. It's dark and intimate and transports you to another world," Nic said.

The building itself has been part of Beaumont Street's story since the early 1970s, having served as a neighbourhood gathering place before its latest transformation.

With seating for around 40 guests inside and another 15 alfresco, Scarpetta keeps things relatively intimate, making it a lovely addition to Hamilton's dining scene.

Whether you're dropping in for a bowl of pasta and a glass of Italian wine or settling in for a longer dinner with friends, Scarpetta is now open and ready to welcome diners.

Image credit: Good Thanks Media