Category: Stories of Carlton

The Truth of Michael Kelly and the Heart of Carlton

Michael Kelly: Exeter is an idyllic small country town outside of Sydney and this is what shaped me. I learnt a strong work ethic from my tough and loving family.

My confidence boomed when at 17 years old I went to Europe and build my first handmade mudbrick property.

Returning home, I was inspired to work on our families own handmade home.

My crazy and self-assured passion started to clash with my Mothers, to the extent she thought I needed some professional help.

This led to me being admitted by a Psychiatrist to a mental institution for a week’s assessment.

I was to remain at the institution for 6 long months.

During this harrowing period, I had numerous escapes and recaptures.

One particular escape gave me a chance meeting with a criminal.  In desperation to have funds to get away, I assisted him robbing a jewellery store.

I was captured and eventually sent to prison.

Here I was lucky enough to discover an inspiring book by Dr Thomas Szasz.  This content in this book helped keep my mind and body strong.

The book kick-started me into being creative again and I  started making beautiful objects from second-hand materials.

My work got noticed and at the end of my sentence, I was given the opportunity to complete an Arts post-graduate degree.

Now happily married and with 5 shops around Melbourne, I am fortunate enough to keep following my passion for creating.

With continuous hard work and ingenuity, my creations include picture frames through to small portable wooden buildings.

Through my extraordinary journey, my truth is to keep pursuing what is good and create objects that bring beauty into the Heart of Carton,  transforming others’ lives.

STUZZICHINO BELONGS TO LYGON STREET AND COULDN’T EXIST ANYWHERE ELSE

You can find Nonna cooking in the kitchen, Nonno is sitting on the front stool cheerfully chatting to locals passing by and brother (Angelo) and Sister (Rosetta) are busy greeting and serving their clientele-this energetic family vibe is what makes Stuzzichino in Lygon Street so special.

Lygon Street is touristy and shabby in places, but nothing can replace its history.

It’s authentically Melbourne, it does not and could not exist anywhere else.

Stuzzichino Cafe Bar and Restaurant shares company with other old Italian family restaurants in Melbourne.

All of them adding to the history, culture and stories of Carlton that reside here.

Our stories of Carlton couldn’t be complete without including the owner, Angelo Gibalsi’s story.

Angelo’s passion for food began at an early age whilst still living in Sicily. Moving to Melbourne around 1987, Angelo worked in a number of distinguished restaurants and bars, which then gave him the working knowledge to open his own family restaurant, Stuzzichino.

Stuzzichino translated into English basically means to wet ones appetite by nibbling on delicious cuisine.

Taking friends to eat here last week, our appetite was certainly satisfied.

Rosetta informed us that her Nonna had just finished cooking up a large dish of a traditional family favorite; Homemade Gnocchi with Napoli sauce.

We gave it a go and were not disappointed.

The Gnocchi’s plump, pillowy texture melted in our mouths and the rich hearty sauce added just a little touch of sweetness.

A week later I spoke with Angelo and asked him about his favourite dish. “The Chicken Marinara” he exclaims with no hesitation. “It’s a traditional Italian dish with our own twist”.

A Tasty Chicken Marinara, one of Stuzzichino’s top dishes

There is no doubt of the passion that is injected into each dish that is served at Stuzzichino.

For my things to do in Melbourne list, I recommend coming here and ordering the Chicken Marinara dish. The flavours were exquisite and the portion extremely generous.

Melbourne culture gets a serious injection of tasty, genuine Italian food from Lygon Street.

Stuzzichino doesn’t let you down.

The old embracing the new

Welcome to the stories of Carlton where we take a look at different parts of Carlton to explore how it’s transformed over the years.

From gourmet Italian food, heritage listed gardens to magnificent historical building such as the Royal Exhibition building, Carlton has such a colourful culture to steal away anyone’s heart.

In this series, we take you an unforgettable journey in one of the most exquisitely unique suburbs in Australia.

Sharon:

I can hardly believe how lucky Melbournians are with Carlton or the ‘Little Italy’ right on our doorstep.

It’s so much fun exploring the streets of Carlton and I’m lucky I can do it every weekday.

Today I’ve been checking out the vast range of cafe and restaurant fit-outs on Lygon St.

It’s like an architect’s playground.

You can find elegant Roman aesthetic with marble and mosaics, through to contemporary industrial designs- compelling to the eye with their simplicity and crisp lines.

Cranes are dotted about everywhere, teasing the passer-by with more hospitality venues on their way, which are continually transforming the heart of Carlton.

That’s enough from me for now, I need to go and order a delicious pizza for lunch.

Hmm, today I’ll get one topped with freshly sliced sweet tomatoes, with a sprinkling of fragrant, finely chopped basil, with just a drizzle of olive oil on top to finish it off.

Mangiamo!