Italy in the City

Dining alongside a living wall of 11,000 plants might have you reaching for your hessian pants and rubber shoes – but it’s all suits and heels at this CBD eatery.

Located in Australia’s most awarded ‘green’ building, Janus reaches skyscraper heights for those who love a bit of Italy in the City.

Make your way to Bligh Street and say ‘ciao’ to the Italian pack – a winning pedigree from a fine lineage of the Michael family (ex-Bacco Wine Pasticceria) and Kas Derbas (ex-Hugos).

There isn’t a mung bean in sight as the kitchen rocks out pasta, pizzas and cakes – all made on the premises daily from first chirp to beyond cocktail hour.

Antipasti range from creamy mounds of buffalo mozzarella, Sicilian olives and smoked meats through to spicy calamari with deep-fried pepper and chilli surprises, while pizzas headline with chilli prawn and posh ham ‘n’ pineapple with prosciutto.

But it’s the bruschetta that this place is going to be famous for. With toppings higher than its sky rise neighbours, python-like dexterity is required to tackle toppings like smoked salmon on a bed of soft avocado dotted with fresh ricotta and cheery tomatoes, and smoky toast layered with goats cheese and luscious red pepper.

Eating rustic has never been so glam.