Cotto Espresso is currently rolling out its panineria across all its stores, with Hyde Park their latest one.

Owners Nicholas Cioffi and Francesco Cerere, who began the business 10 years ago, say the panineria was born out of their own experience of sitting around a table with their family, sharing freshly made bread, cured meats, cheeses and marinated vegetables.

And that’s what you’ll see when you step up to the counter – a selection of house made breads, meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables and home-made sauces. You can pick and choose what you would like.

At Cotto Hyde Park, I selected a herb focaccia, roast seasoned chicken, provolone cheese, marinated eggplant and capsicum, with fresh rocket and black olive paste, toasted.

Another combination on the night included roast chicken, asiago cheese, sundried tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, fresh rocket and salsa picante (spicy) on a herb focaccia. Or how about this combo: paninio, salami, provolone cheese, marinated eggplant, sundried tomatoes, rocket and black olive paste.

And it wouldn’t be an Italian café without cannoli!

The Adelaide, Hyde Park and Prospect stores have a panineria, with other stores to follow.

And from today you can order a Nutella Marocchino – the perfect mixture of Coffee, Coco, Nutella, steamed milk and chocolate powder! And Cotto will also be offering Nutella in all coffees

* Photo of coffee supplied.

** I was an invited guest.