Searle Lane’s taste of Italy

Italy has just arrived in Queenstown’s Searle Lane.

Giovanna Boventi yesterday opened the doors to Pronto by Giovi in the former Taco Medic space, serving up quick bites and street food-style cuisine to complement her flagship store, Giovi Authentic Italian, in Frankton, and Farelli’s by Giovi on Steamer Wharf, which she opened in late 2022.

Boventi says Pronto’s menu features an array of handcrafted focaccia sandwiches, Angus beef, vegetable and vegan lasagna and decadent desserts, including a vegan pannacotta, made with berries and coconut cream and the Nutella crostata, which pay homage to the rich tapestry of Italian cuisine.

The sandwiches are named after cities in Italy, capturing the essence of each region and highlighting the produce they’re renowned for.

‘‘So when you taste them, you can imagine you are travelling through my beautiful country,’’ Boventi says.

They include Pecorino cheese in the ‘Roma’ focaccia, to the ‘‘crispy goodness’’ of cotoletta — a veal breaded cutlet — in ‘Milano’, the ‘Capri’ sandwich, bursting with tomatoes, and the ‘Modena’, packed with vibrant flavours of prosciutto di Parma, or classic Italian ham.

‘‘We take pride in sourcing the finest local and imported ingredients, ensuring that every dish is crafted with care, quality, and authenticity,’’ she says.

‘‘From our home-made lasagne, layered with love and tradition, to our vegetarian and vegan options, plus mouthwatering desserts, we cater to every palate with creativity and love.’’

Boventi’s also not finished with her expansion yet, noting a Pronto food truck’s due to hit the road soon, planning to pop up at local festivals and events.

Pronto by Giovi’s initial opening hours are Friday and Saturday, 2pm to midnight, and Sunday to Tuesday, from noon till 9pm.

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