Head past the power red Chanel lipsticks and bougie beauty counters contained within David Jones and you’ll quickly stumble upon Squiseato. While on the surface, Australia’s oldest department store may be an unexpected location for one of the coast’s newest eateries, it actually makes perfect sense. Shoppers who take the expression ‘shop ’til you drop’ a little too literally can recharge their batteries with a quick bite of tiramisu tart, which is best paired with a crisp glass of Champagne Jacquart, or house-made banana bread slathered with whipped ricotta and topped with crunchy almond praline. Those who are keen for something a little more substantial can stick a fork into authentic hand-rolled pasta or bite in to three-bite lobster roll. The venue’s signature, however, is a show-stopping truffle gnocchi with porchini butter.

Squiseato is the result of a partnership between the high-profile department store and Create Catering, with the pilot store located on the first floor of David Jones at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Anthony Whitehouse, managing director of Create Catering, is the visionary behind the unusual concept and boasts more than 30 years’ experience in the restaurant and catering business. The award-winning operator says Squiseato is a destination, a meeting point for customers, and a place to recharge over some quality, artisan food. “The bonus for David Jones’ customers is the line of trending brands within eyesight,” he says. Squiseato is a play on words and means ‘exquisite’ and ‘eating’ in Italian language.

Squiseato is now open inside David Jones at Pacific Fair. 

Image credit: supplied.