Gather Bistro at Heritage Lanes at 80 Ann Street is a vibrant inner-city lunch spot that’s perfect for anyone craving Italian. Gather opens early in the morning to serve specialty caffeine, paninis and pastries from its Ann Street-facing coffee bar. From 11:00 am the rest of Gather’s Studio Spillane-designed interior space opens for lunch trade. Head chef Jun Lee (ex-Rosmarino, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal) pumps out an array of small bites such as porcini truffle arancini and Puglian cow’s milk burrata with basil oil and compressed heirloom tomatoes, which lead into share plates of octopus with burnt white bean and caviar, and scallops with fermented-leek puree and crispy prosciutto. From there, guests are free to inhale serves of linguine with Mooloolaba tiger prawns, reginette marinara with mussels, prawns and squid, or 48-hour slow-cooked beef short rib. A corresponding beverage list boasts a clutch of classic Italian cocktails (negronis, bellinis and spritzes) and a punchy wine selection encompassing Italian classics and natty Australian drops. These libations are also available in the evening alongside a small after-dark menu featuring charcuterie, mussels bathing in white-wine cream and Roman-style pizzas topped with the likes of prosciutto and Abruzzo salami, and porcini, portobello, mozzarella and truffle bechamel.