Years in the planning, Newgreens Chatswood has finally arrived, and it’s bringing something entirely new to Sydney’s North Shore. It’s a stylish golf course, wellness centre, apartments and Italian dining combined into one architecturally stunning precinct.
At the heart of it all sits Dodici, an Italian restaurant that on our visit is proving itself worthy of the journey to Chatswood. It’s not an obvious choice, but it’s definitely a hole in one.
The Location: A Stunning First Impression
The approach doesn’t prepare us for what’s ahead. We step inside and I’m greeted by a light-filled space of sweeping curves and beautifully constructed areas that blend warm wood tones with soft surfaces. Plants are thoughtfully dotted throughout, while the space cleverly divides into intimate dining areas, anchored by a glamorous pizza oven at the back.
Perched on the top floor of Newgreens’ architecturally designed clubhouse by Marchese Partners, with interiors by award-winning designer Nic Graham (QT Hotels, W Hotels), Dodici offers something special: sweeping views over a protected green valley. It reminds me of Taronga Zoo’s elevated dining, where I’m beautifully positioned above a vast landscape of impossibly green grass. As the sun sets, I watch bunnies hopping across immaculate gardens while cockatoos peck about. The lucky apartment dwellers to the right have scored million-dollar views.
Italian Heart, Modern Soul
Leading the kitchen is head chef Fabio Durpetti, who hails from Italy’s Marche region and previously worked at Unico Ristorante. His philosophy is simple but powerful: “Cooks make meals, chefs design new dishes but I serve emotions freely.”
The menu is designed for sharing and broken into traditional sections: Salumeria (cured meats), Antipasti, Primi Piatti (pasta and risotto, all made in-house), Secondi Piatti (mains), and Da Condividere (shared plates). There’s a section for wood-fired dishes, from metre-long Italian sausages to a show-stopping 1kg Fiorentina.
Wine – With Purpose
If I hadn’t already registered it’s Italian, the wine list makes the connection crystal clear. I open the menu and there’s a wonderful map of Italy, pinpointing wine regions from Sardinia to Calabria. With more than 70% of the list sourced from wineries practicing organic or sustainable viticulture, it’s a journey from Sicily to the Alps.
The selection strikes a nice balance between Italian imports and local Australian wines. I order an NV Amanti Prosecco from Veneto, Italy to start the evening perfectly, and later in the meal, move onto a richer WA Vasse Felix Fillius Chardonnay from Margaret River for beautiful contrast.
The Menu
The Salumeria section opens with traditional Italian cured meats from local artisanal producer Quattro Stelle, including 12-month dry-aged MB 9+ wagyu bresaola and 24-month cured Prosciutto San Daniele, all sliced the old-fashioned way with a manual slicer.
The frittura mista di mare arrives as a pretty bowl of WA banana prawns, zucchini, carrots and house-made mayo tossed with curls of calamari. The vegetables are an unusual addition but it gives lightness to the dish where every element is cooked to perfection. Two king prawns are served in the pan, wood-fired butterfly-style and served with chilli and salmoriglio. A confident stab with a fork pulls out all the buttery flesh, it’s delicious .
House-made pasta and gnocchi, and this is where Durpetti’s skill shines. The spaghetti al nero is twisted into a cylindrical furl topped with king prawns tossed in a lobster bisque that delivers depth of flavour without any muddiness. I love the dusting of chorizo powder adding umami punch. His signature pappardelle al ragu di cervo didn’t make it to my table this visit. Instead the Porchetta di Ariccia is a generous slab of Roman-style crispy-skinned Berkshire pork paired with creamy mash and celeriac remoulade.
The Service
Throughout the evening, service is knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive. The young sommelier does a great job at navigating us through pairings. Over the evening I notice the dining room filling with couples of all ages, drawn to this unique destination that feels worlds away from the Chatswood, despite being just five minutes from town.
The Verdict
What We’re Addicted To?: The venue is absolutely stunning. There’s a clear focus on produce, sourcing and dishes served with generosity and love. The dining experience and service are faultless, and prices are on point.
What We Need To Be More Addicted?: It’s a large space to fill and create intimacy, but they achieve this well in the restaurant area. The lounge section as you enter could benefit from more defined spaces, though this is a minor quibble.
Dodici at Newgreens Chatswood, 130 Beaconsfield Rd, Chatswood
