By day CJ’s is a wholesale pasta store, but by night the small shopfront on Hoogley Street is transformed into a lively Italian eatery. CJ’s new owner Leila Amirparviz describes her carb loaded oasis as a refuge from the bustle and wait lists of West End’s big business restaurants. “I grew up in West End and there was never anything at this end that felt familiar. You could go to the same restaurants every week and not be recognised. We wanted to create something that was an extension of someone’s home.”

Earlier this year, Amirparviz and her team dreamt up the idea for a small 16-seater restaurant catering to those looking for simple, delicious Italian food.We were thinking about how we could utilise the space a little bit better. We thought about opening it up as a restaurant at night.” And that is exactly what they did.

Between four and five in the afternoon the space changes completely; candles are lit and tables set, ready to welcome patrons attracted by the home style Italian cooking. The name was an after thought, but perfectly describes how the restaurant came to be. “We didn’t have time to do any media or promotion, so we thought of it as a secret business.”

Leila’s family also owns South Bank’s Spaghetti House Trattoria. With executive chef Dario Milano heading both venues, the menu at the Pasta Club is full of fresh, authentic Italian food. “Our team at CJ’s is 80 per cent Italian, which is something we really pride ourselves on being authentic. When you’re dealing with something like pasta, which has a very long and traditional history, it’s important to respect that.”

The dining arrangements are interesting too. Tables are set around an open kitchen where diners can watch their meals being created before their eyes. Newcomers might also be surprised to learn that the menu changes from night to night. “It’s a daily menu, so whatever the team is preparing that day, we will have on the menu that night. If we’re rolling ravioli or gnocchi that day we’re going to have that on the menu.”

The Pasta Club caters to a wide range of diners, and Amirparviz explains that connecting with the locals and creating community is a central premise of the restaurant. “It’s definitely a restaurant for the community. People can come in their pyjamas, on their way to the theatre, after work. Community is everything when you’re in a location like this.”

Although only a few months old, Amirparviz says that there are more plans in the works. “I do love the location and the very humble, traditional decor and environment we’ve created, but we’re always looking forward, so I do see bigger and better things for us.” With Italian as authentic as this, we do not expect Amirparviz’s secret to stay underground for much longer  because this is one secret that is not safe with us.

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