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  • 7 months ago
Pellegrini's Espresso Bar is a testament to the enduring power of community, tradition, and love. This documentary explores the cafe's rich history, its cultural impact, and the profound legacy of its beloved figure, Sisto Malaspina.
Transcript
00:01Melbourne, the city of laneways, latte art and long-winded debates about who
00:07makes the best espresso. Pellegrini's or the espresso bar belongs to the
00:11community. We're talking about a period of time where people landed, immigrants
00:15landed and you couldn't get olive oil. They introduced visitors to real
00:20spaghetti rather than spaghetti out of a tin. The whole time we were there it was
00:25happiness, the staff, the customers. And they saw that this little place was very
00:32very busy and consequently it aroused a certain amount of curiosity. The first
00:37coffee machine where it was, whether it was at Pellegrini's, the people could not
00:42survive enough if we turned all the coffee machines off. I think the sign he
00:49still got there is one of the early ones in the 19, I think might have been 1981.
00:54Yes Liz wanted to change the sign, the signage, but we said no that's been there
00:59from conception so it stays there.
01:11We came here, literally fresh off the boat like so many did. Mum and dad met here, it just feels
01:18like home here.
01:18There's a lot of history. Ah, Sisto was charming. He was charming. I mean it was so much more than
01:24just that beautiful scarf.
01:26He just knew how to give you the right level of attention. Sisto did a lot for Melbourne. He really
01:31did. He really loved the city too.
01:33It wasn't just a pretend thing.
01:42It's easy to forget where it all began but walk through those glass doors on Bourke Street
01:47and you'll find a little piece of history. Still brewing, still buzzing, still Pellegrini's.
01:53There was so many wonderful stuff that we went to there.
01:54Have fun and look to see you at this incredible food bag.
01:55Old Mmmm I'minen here plan.
01:56It was really neat.
01:56But, you know, not kidding seeing you at this one especially that accept all thegs of my own Dubok
01:56Okay guess ahead.

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