Valmorbida resets King & Godfree site with Karen Martini
A collection of new venues is replacing the former King & Godfree format under owner Jamie Valmorbida.
Today, Karen Martini opened Delmonte, an Italian restaurant and wine room, at 293-297 Lygon Street, on the north-west corner of Faraday, in Carlton.
It replaces the former deli space.
The opening comes five months since Garfield Pizzeria launched at the site – the first venue introduced as part of the repositioning.
A basement level cocktail bar is also planned.
Next chapter for historic building
The heritage-listed c1871 Lygon St building has for more than a century been used for hospitality; King & Godfree opened there in 1884 (continues below).
It became an important part of Melbourne’s Italian community after Carlo Valmorbida, Jamie’s grandfather, took over the business in 1955; the store became a destination for Italian produce – the family retaining ownership through subsequent generations.
Jamie led a major refurbishment, reopening in 2018 with a new configuration including an Italian deli and grocer, espresso bar, rooftop bar, Johnny’s Green Room, and other hospitality uses.
Ms Martini became culinary director of that King & Godfree operation.
That format later closed; the multi-concept model replaced with introducing new venues while retaining the building’s Italian identity.
Delmonte takes its name from the Italian phrase meaning “from the mountain”, referencing Mr Valmorbida’s grandfather Carlo, who was born in Valli del Pasubio in northern Italy before moving to Australia.
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