our story

SCOPRI FOOD & WINE

A taste of piedmontE in the heart of carlton

Anthony Scutella and Alison Foley opened Scopri in 2009 following 2 years living in Piedmonte. Their vision was a warm, neighbourhood Italian restaurant rooted in authentic family recipes. Our team of talented chefs bring a little part of home with them, providing a rotating list of regional specials. The name of the restaurant translates from Italian to ‘discovery’, inspired by their adventures in the northern Italian region. What began as a passion project, with house-made pastas and regional specialties has grown into a Carlton institution.

Seasonal, local, classic

Great food starts with great ingredients. That’s why we source the season’s best from our own biodynamic farm in the Macedon Ranges—transforming fresh produce into beloved dishes like the caprese salad, stuffed zucchini flowers, and tortelloni di zucca. What can’t be grown at Romsey Ranges, is sourced locally from beloved suppliers such as That’s Amore Cheese and Flinders & Co.

Wine & Hospitality

We love drinking local and exploring the wines of the world. Our wine lists are carefully curated and updated regularly, from classics to select local and international drops. Chat with your sommelier about food & wine pairings to elevate your dining experience.

Romsey Ranges

from our family backyard, to bigger things…

Fast forward to 2016, Alison had been growing vegetables in the family’s suburban backyard, and with little time at home, she was bringing them all to the restaurant. The chef’s growing requests for specific produce led her to re-visit her country roots. The idea to step away from the restaurant and start producing larger scale fresh produce for Scopri began.

Grown with care, guided by nature

After six months of volunteer work at Transition Farm, Ali returned inspired and determined to bring the same care, knowledge and approach to their own land. Today, her one-acre garden in Romsey VIC is the core of our seasonal menus, supplying Scopri and Bar Olo with heirloom vegetables, greens, and herbs grown using biodynamic methods.

The farm is now wrapping up its tenth season, after countless lockdowns and the arrival of two healthy young boys, Ali continues to supply two venues, as well as the locals of Romsey, with food that is harvested with heart and served with soul.

Bar olo

More than just a wine region

To keep up with the growing demand for Scopri, it was time to open a second venue, so we listened to the hungry residents of Carlton and opened the doors of Bar Olo in 2024. The passion for Piedmonte continues as the name is taken from the small but mighty Northern Italian town producing the country’s most famous bold red wines; Barolo.

vintage wine bar and traditional menu

The 40-seat venue is cosy and designed with care; the perfect place for an intimate date night, casual business meet-up or celebratory meal with friends and family. Bar Olo’s kitchen delivers the same quality and values to our diners with seasonal fresh produce straight from Romsey Ranges. The food menu is carefully curated to bring the flavours from Northern Italy to the locals of Carlton and beyond. Spoja Lorda, Vitello Tonnato, Tramezzini - expand your palate, and your vocabulary!

thank-you

We were a little shocked when The Good Food Guide announced Bar Olo as The Best New Restaurant of 2025. What was initially intended to be Scopri’s little sister venue - complimenting reservations with aperitivo and digestivo - Bar Olo has made a name for itself, offering two dinner services as well as the option for just casual drinks & snacks. Nonetheless, we are incredibly proud of what has been achieved by our dedicated team, and the loyal guests who have helped us grow.