Brisbane's newest Italian eatery is opening its doors in February at South Bank and launching Australia's largest spritz menu – including a lavish $299 tipple set to blow the minds of even the most passionate spritz connoisseurs.
The bright and bubbly Ovello Bar & Kitchen below Mantra South Bank also offers a moreish coastal Italian menu designed for diners seeking a chic, casual experience without sacrificing quality, fit for the family, for date night and every occasion in between.
General Manager of Mantra South Bank Adrian Lampe said the menu included fresh calamari fritti, gooey burrata, and stone baked fresh pizza made with a 37-year-old mother dough.

But he said the spritzes were designed to be the highlight, with the menu boasting more than 14 variations of the Italian classic.
“Ovello's signature spritz list includes a lychee spritz made with pink gin, sparkling rosé, lychee fruit and topped with edible pink glitter and flowers,” Mr Lampe said.

“Or there's the Dolce Vita spritz with Sexy Cat marshmallow liqueur, sparkling Moscato and vanilla, topped with fairy floss, mini marshmallows, and edible glitter.”
The most notable item on the Instagram-worthy menu is its pièce de résistance, named 'The Duchess' – Australia's most expensive spritz. The decadent beverage is on the menu for $299.

“For the true spritz connoisseurs, this very special drink is made with rose liqueur, Dom Pérignon Champagne and topped with authentic locally made Turkish delight glazed in a gold lustre and served in a special glass for guests to take home,” he said.
Not forgetting the most important members of the family, Ovello welcomes the little ones with child-friendly mini mocktails like the red snake 'Snakes and Ladders' spritz or 'Apple-a-Day' spritz.

Mr Lampe said the decision to invest in the new venue came from the desire to lead the post-pandemic revitalisation of the South Bank precinct.
“With tourism bouncing back in Brisbane and a newfound energy amongst locals, we were eager to find a way to play a part in South Bank, and this was our answer,” Mr Lampe said.

“It's bright, bubbly, and unbridled in fun. Plus we know Brisbane locals love Italian food, so it was an easy decision to bring our take on an Italian summer to our little pocket of Brisbane.”

Topping off the food experience is the dessert menu, with olive oil cake drenched in a sweet and tangy lemon syrup and soon-to-be crowd favourite - hazelnut gelato in a waffle cone, topped with Nutella ricotta and Ferrero Rocher rubble.

Head Chef Lachlan Howieson is responsible for the curated menu and has consciously selected environmentally friendly ingredients for seafood dishes following GoodFish, Australia's sustainable seafood guide.

“It was a fundamental factor for me to ensure this menu wasn't just delicious, but environmentally conscious, too,” Mr Howieson said.
“The spaghetti vongole, for example, is made with hand-collected South Australian clams, and the frutti di mare pizza and the market fish are all dishes made in line with sustainable seafood guides.”

The spacious venue boasts a bar, two dining rooms, and alfresco-style outdoor seating for people-watching enthusiasts to sit back, relax, and sip while watching the world go by.

Ovello is also hosting a special Valentine's Day event with a one-night only San Valentino menu for $75 per head, with an additional special spritz menu at $50 per pair to complete the evening.

You can view the media kit and imagery here and guests can head online to pre-book their Ovello experience on the website here.