The city of Naples has a rich culinary history – its gastronomic legacy encompasses the creation of pizza, which in itself is enough to cement its status in the pantheon of the world’s best food cities. Neapolitan hospitality takes centre stage at Brisbane City cocktail bar and eatery Toscano Bar + Kitchen. The venture is from sibling operators Virginia and Antonio Toscano, have sought to bring a piece of their hometown to Old Mineral House – just across the road from Stamford Plaza on the corner of Edward Street and Alice Street. The 100-sqm venue boasts a lounge-style dining space and a snazzy bar area, with Virginia putting her interior design chops to use by giving the site a classically chic aesthetic overhaul – think black-and-white stripes, emerald greens, soft leathers and some vibrant neon signs. Antonio, formerly a top drink slinger at Eagle Street’s Mr & Mrs G, is overseeing the bar, assembling a cocktail menu featuring all of the classics (and some of his own creations), a range of spritzes, refreshing aperitifs and a wine list featuring imported and local vino. Toscano’s kitchen dispenses an array of Italian delicacies, including appetisers such as frittatina (a deep-fried arancini-style bite filled with bucatini and bechamel), polenta with gorgonzola mousse and pancetta, crumbed ricotta gnocchi with tomato salsa and stracciatella, and eggplant parmigiana. Larger plates will include five kinds of pizze and a selection of panouzzi – a Neapolitan-style sandwich using pizza dough as the bread (crispy on the outside, soft on the inside), stuffed with fillings such as Parma ham and buffalo mozzarella, pancetta and caciocavallo, and Italian sausage and scamorza.