IL SALOTTO Italian kitchen and cafe is a promising new entrant into the Mansfield coffee and dining scene.

Open since Easter, owners Kath Bier and Mike Rich have create a striking and welcoming space down Eisners Lane which has provided Mansfield with its little slice of Italy.

Inspired by Kath’s grandparents Vincenzo Bier and Luigia Bazzani who lived and worked in Northern Italy near the Austrian boarder (sometimes skiing over the border in the winter to get to work).

Kath’s Nonno and Nonna migrated to Australia post-war.

Her Nonna lived with Kath’s family for many years after the passing of her grandfather.

She was the centre of attention at weekend meals where issues of the world were passionately discussed with lots of hand gestures and laughter, along with grappa to share after dinner.

Kath moved to Mansfield in the late 1990s and worked at MASS and Mount Buller, where she notched up 25 years of service.

Her son’s secondary education drew her to Melbourne, but now she is back and ready to provide Mansfield with something different – think great Italian coffee (Genovese), tiramisu, cannolis, cakes. paninis and imminent plans for a broader breakfast, brunch and lunch menu along with licensed dinners and tasty aperitifs.

Il Salotto will be celebrating Nonna's and Mamma's on Sunday May 12 with some special Nonna-inspired creations, lots of flowers and your favourite Dean Martin Italian classics.

Oh, and Il Salotto means “the living room” which in Vincenzo’s family was where the grappa was shared.