Pist4cchi, Italian restaurant & cocktail bar.
Words by Elaine Deane
Midway along Shields Street is where you will find Pistacchi Restaurant and Cocktail
Bar, Cairn’s very own slice of Italy where two Italian chaps are sharing the warmth of
their Nonna’s love and inspiration with us all. From the welcoming greeting, the chill
vibe with undertones of a Nonna’s hug, exciting cocktail choices, and the delicious
authentic Italian cuisine on offer, get ready for a ‘Bellissima Esperienza’.
For owners Paolo and Francesco, Pistacchi truly is their dream come true. A
culmination of their life-long friendship, love of family, food and fun. A meeting of four
teenagers starting their careers in hospitality industry in Italy, led to a great friendship
between the four with their collective passion for travel and food saw the foursome
adventure together worldwide for over twenty years. The time came for the foursome
to divide, with two friends having to return to Italy for family reasons. Their final
evening together wound up with the four lifelong friends reminiscing over a bag of
pistachios, which led to quick late night dash to a tattooist for a last group tattoo; of a
pistachio of course!
Paolo and Francesco continued with the foursome’s dream, to combine their
knowledge and love of Italian cuisine and finally take the leap into their own
restaurant, Paolo said they both knew exactly where they wanted to settle – Cairns.
“We are so honoured to call Cairns home, and to be able to transport our guests to
Italy with every bite.’
Their dreams came true when they opened PIST4CCHI in 2021. Pronounced
‘Pistakki,’ which is of course Italian for pistachios. The A is replaced with a 4 to
honour the lifelong friendship, now family, of the foursome.
PIST4CCHI opened their doors quietly, perfecting their menu and cocktails as they
have also quietly become a favourite spot for locals. The menu combines recipes
from their Southern Italian Mothers and Nonnas, along with favourites from Northern
Italy they have gathered on their travels, all recreated with a modern ‘Pistacchi’ twist.
In keeping with traditional methods they make everything they can by hand, just like
Nonna did back in the old country. Handmade pastas and breads and sauces, using
fresh and local ingredients as well as adding the magical ingredient to any Italian
dish - that extra dash of love. Delicacies such as prosciutto, salami and cheeses are
brought in from only the best Italian delis, stored and only sliced when you order so
can genuinely enjoy the freshness and fullness of their rich flavours.
No Italian meal is complete without wine. Pistacchi have every palate covered with
over 100 Italian wines and some select Australian labels to complement your meal,
or simply enjoy with something light from their tapas menu at the cocktail bar.
Yes, PIST4CCHI is also cocktail bar! With one of the largest range of cocktails in
Cairns and boasting over 70 gins from all over the world, it is a perfect place to relax
with friends with a range of Italian and Australian cocktails to choose from. Paolo
loves to mix the flavours and create cocktails that are a mix between the bitter Italian
cocktails, and the sweeter Australian cocktails so as with the wines, there is bound to
be one (or two) cocktails to suit every taste.
Italians love their music, and the pair are especially fond of live music, which leads to
one of best things about PIST4CCHI that is not so well known. There is a hidden
gem, a musical and relaxing oasis right at the back of the restaurant and bar! Hence the
nickname of ‘The Back Room’ has caught on and it is fast becoming the place to be
to listen to talented local musicians and artists perform, entertaining guests in this
amazingly secluded and luxurious space before and after their meals, or some
simply making a night of enjoying the chill vibes with a few drinks and tapas.
PIST4CCHI’s Back Room is set to really heat up in their own chill, groovy way this
year with the pair hosting more events by artists who are in keeping with
PIST4CCHI’s vibe throughout the year. We can look forward to Brazilian musicians,
saxophonists, and local jazz artists just to name a few. ‘We love music, and there is
so much talent here in Cairns,’ said Paulo, ‘You never know, by giving them a space
to perform we might help someone have their dream come true, just like ours has.’
The best way to keep up with what is happening at in the Jazz Room and the weekly
specials is to follow them on Facebook and Instagram. PIST4CCHI is open from
lunch till late five nights a week with Italian cuisine, cocktails, music. Paolo and
Francesco welcome you to celebrate friendship, family, fun, and dreams coming true
in their little piece of Italy.
www.pistacchicairns.com
