On our way to meet Queen Viv at Piccolo Bar in Kings Cross (said to be the oldest cafe in Kings Cross), Queen Viv calls my mobile to tell me to switch Radio FBI on. For who else is being interview but Vittorio, the face of Piccolo Bar, the tiny, cozy little cafe which has taken up residence in Kings Cross since 1950. Unfortunately just as the interview is starting we go through the tunnel and miss most of it. Ah well, it only makes us more interested in meeting up there. It’s been about 15 years since my last visit.
We walk past the tables and Vittorio is outside giving me a good look up and down as if I’ve fallen from a spaceship. I learn that this is how he looks at all new customers and that he is certainly a character. There’s a $3 minimum (how these things charm me) and when my husband comes in, he does the same looking at him closely from the side, head cocked horizontally. It’s a tiny space, much like the name suggests and in its heydey they crammed 25 people into the inner cafe, which if you’ve visited, you’ll see that it’s quite a feat.
Vittorio’s eccentric charm isn’t lost on us and he floats about collecting plates and taking orders. He playfully and dramatically scolds a young girl on a mobile phone telling her to get off the “devil’s tool” and proudly says that he doesn’t own one. I ask him about the numerous Cate Blanchett pictures dotting the landscape and he clasps his hands together and assumes a dreamy countenance “Oh I Looooove her! I adore her, she’s like an angel” he trills. And no she hasn’t visited 
Books offered to us by Vittorio
We make our order and the chef cooks everything one at a time. Regulars file in and get a familiar greeting. A Matthew McConaughey lookalike says that he feels like soup so the chef gives him some soup to taste. Vittoria stops by our table and in an avuncular gesture, plonks down some second hand books for us and asks us if we’d like to take some books home with us. His charm offensive is taking effect.
Queen Viv orders a toasted turkish bread with artichokes,avocado, mushroom and cheese.
Omelette with up to 3 filling $8.50
My own omelette with ham, mushroom and cheese is perfectly done and deliciously cheesy with lots of filling. I enjoy the omelette a lot.
Caesar salad with chicken
My husband’s caesar salad with chicken is missing the dressing which the chef has prewarned us of that and it is a cos and tomato salad, not quite caesar but with freshly cooked breast schnitzel he hungrily devours it.
3 scoops of Teahna Banana Gelateria gelato $5.50
For dessert my husband chooses to go next door (part of Piccolo cafe) and chooses some ice cream flavours: Biscottini, blood orange and fig brandy. They’re delicious, particularly the Biscottini and the blood orange.
Orange and almond cake $6.50
Queen Viv and I share the orange and almond cake. It’s like a regular sponge rather than the moist almond meal and orange rind version.
My bell, thankyou Vittorio
In between his duties, Vittorio with his signature bracelets sits down and sorts through his paperwork and letters and laments the heat. He offers me a bell for my door which I accept, another eccentrically charming gesture and I took it as it was indeed quite nice! He shows us some books he appears in as a passing comment. There is one “People of the Cross” which is a fantastic read where Vittorio appears on the cover. We learn more about Vittorio Bianchi, the cappucino maestro and how he has adorned the walls of his favourite celebrities with 29 photos of James Dean (although some pictures get pinched by overeager fans).
Vittorio Bianchi
To Vittoria, the small space in Piccolo means that there is no room for people to be strangers and that he often plays matchmaker between patrons (although he admits that as far as match making goes for himself, it’s a disaster). In fact he has seen some patrons get married after being matched up by him and some of them come back thank him although he says “Some come back and curse me for it”.
He has a fascinating past and if you are interested I’d strongly suggest trying to get a hold of the book or visiting the Piccolo and asking him to see the book. Vittorio was born in 1934 in Italy (“The same year as Brigitte Bardot, same as Sophia Loren. Look at them and look at me”), and whilst he doesn’t remember much for his childhood he tells that at age 8 was raped by an American soldier. He didn’t know it was wrong at that age and time so he brought the soldier home to meet his family where the soldier gave them all chocolate. To him that event didn’t scar him but poverty and the war did and to this day he hates fireworks. Fast forward to having migrated here to Australia by ship at age 14 in search of greener pastures and a life in the cabaret, on stage, theatre and a radio show on JJJ called “Voice of the Piccolo”. Vittorio is a keen storyteller.
Painting of Vittoria for sale
He started working at the Piccolo about 30 years ago back when he first met the late owner Osvaldo who purchased the Piccolo after a win on the horses, and he says that he will work there until the day that he dies. He witnessed the Cross when it had a more Bohemian and villagey atmosphere where people were kinder and looked out for each other. We witness Vittoria giving a patron a tea on the house whilst we are there and of course there is the giving of the books and the bells to us. Indeed in his life, he says that if someone asks him for $5 and he only has $5 on him, he will give it and despite the fact that he lives alone, he always seems to have someone staying with him, sometimes for years. “If there’s room, you should give up your space” he says.
The Piccolo certainly has its fans from the poor to the celebrities and he has had the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Peter Allen, Nick Cave, Marianne Faithfull, Mel Gibson, Richard E. Grant, Akira Isogawa, Malcolm & Lucy Turnbull (haha!), Liv Ullman, Jeremy Irons and Brett Whiteley all come through. We hear on FBI that Vittorio had no idea who the the Red Hot Chilli Peppers were and chatted to them and asked them what they did for a living. In fact there is such a long list of names, they are sorting into each individual letter on the website in a name dropper section. His closing words in the book are “Love is the strongest force. it keeps us alive. I’m always looking for it in every person-different kinds of love”.
When we leave, we wave goodbye to Vittoria and exit to the picture of Cate Blanchett. Of course.
Piccolo Cafe
6 Roslyn Street, Kings Cross
Tel: +61 (02) 9368-1356
http://www.piccolobar.com.au/home.html
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31 Comments | Add your own
What a great story. Vittoria sounds like a lovely person, what a great experience to chat with him.
those are such gorgeous photos of Vittoria. i feel like i was right there having your conversation with him.
and how funny is the advertisement sign. like the hoff!
What a lovely story to start the day with! Such generosity! What tales Vittoria must have……and the food looks delicious too! Sounds like a must visit when I’m next in Sydney. Great post.
I’ve met Vittorio and he is a gem. A very genuine, generous person. I really enjoyed reading more about him here.
Thanks for your comment on my coffee blog. Means a lot coming from you
Reading the whole post the one thing I am jealous of is the san pellegrino that is flavored. I am addicted to their water and now on a mission.
Ok that was a lie because the whole post was awesome.
He seems like such an amazing man and reminds me of a local restaurant owner here who always has a great plate of food and loves to talk.
the omelette looks delicious and it’s right around the corner from me! will give it a go one weekend…
WOW! what an absolute gem of a story. This has made my day. thanks for a great post. Haven’t been there yet but must must go.
How sweet to give you a bell! Looks like the food was good, especially the gelato.
Wow…sounds like quite a character…I really enjoyed reading about his story…and how nice of him to give you that bell
I love this story and post – sort of reinstills faith in human nature. Did you feel all warm and fuzzy as you left? And where are you going to put the bell?
What a sweet story-Victorio is such a sweetie! =)
Vittorio is a total gem. What an interesting story. Great Post!
Fabulous story. I love quirky little places like this, and I could go for some of that Turkish bread right now.
what a lovely story. Isnt it a joy when the people are what make a place special? he would have a very interesting life, hence making Piccolo Bar all the more richer
I think Ive seen him around there. I had no idea he had such a cool history to him!
Fantastic! I was so lost in this post. I have a fabulous woman in my life – an ex-neighbour,74, her parents migrated from Italy in the 1920′s. She also loves a story and has led an amazing life. Love this post.
Wow, such an astonding story he has and the cafe.
The food lookd lovely of course, but it sounds like the atmosphere was the best.
Such an amazing post. That was is truly something..
Hi Anita-It was so cool to get the chance to speak to him. He loves talking!
Hi shez-Thankyou!
Haha yes I know, we didn’t notice that until we left or we would’ve asked him about it
Hi sallyc-I get the feeling that he has seen it all in his time! Thankyou!
Hi Mike-Oh great! Yes he is really lovely and generous
Hi Jeff-Oh you do’t have that where you are? If you have an Italian deli they should stock it. Thankyou,
people like that are great to talk to!
Hi Kirsty-Thanks! I’m so glad that you liked it
Hi Arwen-I know! And I love the bell too!
I’d definitely pick the gelato over the cake 
Hi Alexandra-It was, Kings Cross is full of characters like him although he is quite the standout
Hi Tina-Thankyou so much! We felt great, it was like visiting an uncle’s house. I hung it above the balcony
door
Hi Brianna-Thanks, he was indeed!
Hi Betty-He is completely
Thankyou!
Hi Libby-I know quirky places like this are so cool. That turkish roll looked fantastic!
Hi Maria-Yes I think the place just wouldn’t be the same without him!
Hi Aubrey-I used to live in Rushcutter’s Bay and would often see him too. Yes who knew?!
Hi Theresa-That’s wonderful! It’s such a talent storytelling and some people have such extraordinary tales!
Hi ArtemisIII-Yep he does! Yes I’d say the food took a backseat to the atmosphere and history
What a life Vittorio has had! He really is a remarkably colourful character and came across so well in your writing.
(I always get momentarily confused when you write about Kings Cross. I couldn’t believe that you still had tales to tell from your trip to London
)
i love places with paraphernalia adorning the walls like that. having good food while there doesn’t hurt either.
wow…what a great nostalgic place! that omelette looks awesome! lots of cheese, eh? that’s my kind of meal!
What a great story! And all the food looks delicious too!
Right now I’m wishing to have enough money to come visit you and spend a week hopping from place to place! You find the best tasty treats!
Oh boy this makes me miss Sydney. We are heading down in a couple of weeks, I wonder if I could convince hubby to take me out to lunch!! Sounds like a place everyone should visit
your stories are awesome…keep up the great work..
Hi Angela-Thankyou! He is really such an interesting person to talk to
Haha yes of course! No Harry Potter
here!
Hi grace-Yes the pictures really show the personality and history of a place I find
Hi Sophia-The omelette really hit the spot! Yep lots of melted cheese is good for me
Hi 5 Star Foodie -Thankyou! Hehe yes although I think Vittorio was more intersting in the end-who knew?
Hi Blond Duck-Hey I could show you Sydney and you could show me Texas!
Hi Prizetastic-Aww you should definitely!
And you might walk out with a book or a bell too-who knows 
Hi amra-Thankyou so much!
I loved reading all this and I’m proud to say I am the girl featured on Vitto’s page in People of the Cross (top left corner). In the late 80′s my girlfriend Jo and I used to spend many days and nights being entertained at the Piccolo. Vitto is every bit as interesting and “beautiful” as you can imagine and we met some wonderful artists, poets, jailbirds, Carmen! – you name it! When I catch up with Jo we often speak of Vitto and wonderful memories of those days- we would often hop between Barons and Vittos. Next time I am in Sydney, for old times sake, a visit to Piccolos is on the agenda. Thank you so much for this wonderful trip down memory lane.
Wow! I can’t believe you photographed my Hoff installation. Vittorio was keen to have it too.
Unfortunately we only got requests for the Hoff wig which we “… are awaiting a shipment of. I think they are stuck on the wharf.”
Great photos of the food too. I don’t know if I was working that day although I would have remembered Vittorio’s 15 minutes of which he’s had numerous hours.
See ya,
Rich.
Thanks for this lovely post! The Pic is shut at the moment, rather mysteriously….I’ve been going here since my late father took me when I was 6 years old. Love it, so much a part of my history and I really hope that Vito and the Pic will be back again soon!
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