Margaret River will soon welcome a relaxed yet refined Italian dining experience, Masseria, as the Cherubino Wines team confirms plans to reopen the iconic lakeside Caves Road site in spring 2024.
Masseria Restaurant
At the restaurant’s helm will be Chef Ben Jacob, the owner and head chef of Lagoon Yallingup. His Italian-Mediterranean menu promises to transport diners to the Italian countryside, fusing tradition with a distinctive South West twist.
Think house-made focaccia, the season’s best antipasti and cured meats, and a range of handmade pasta. Expect the likes of Bistecca Fiorentina and Augusta Nannygai from the charcoal grill. Then, an indulgent, share-style, signature tiramisu to finish.
Italian flavours fused with local produce
The charismatic, osteria-inspired menu combines the rich flavours of Italy’s culinary hotspots with the freshness of locally sourced Western Australian produce. It will offer diners an all-day menu that shifts seamlessly from lunch to aperitivo hour.
“Ben has been aligned with our vision from the get-go,” Larry Cherubino said. “We wanted to create a dining experience in the region that is accessible but still elevated and both the food and wine menus reflect that wholeheartedly.”
“The inspiration for the restaurant name came about during a family holiday in Puglia,” Edwina Egerton-Warburton said.
“Loosely translating to ‘farmhouse’, we think it is the perfect fit for the venue and style of eating and drinking people can expect. It is an incredible space and we’re very much looking forward to this new direction,” she said.
Curated wine list of Italian and French labels
A considered wine list — with a strong focus on pairing — will complement Jacobs’ menu. Compiled by Cherubino City Cellar’s Sommelier Simone Ratti and Group Venue Manager Jonathan Diaz, there will be a curated selection of Cherubino wines — including rare and exclusive back vintages — alongside Italian and French varieties.
“I am very excited to align with the Cherubino brand in opening Masseria,” Ben Jacob said.
“I am committed to utilising my depth of knowledge and skill as a chef and restaurateur to create a welcoming atmosphere where families and friends can indulge in an Italian-Mediterranean menu focused on casual, simple, but delicious food, right here, in the South West.”
Masseria will open its doors in the spring of 2024. Stay tuned for the official opening date and menu release, as well as restaurant and wine tasting bookings!
