The Lighter Note

Mama mia

The Note was fascinated to discover – via an article on the WA Business News website (Is your favourite Italian the real deal?) – that eight Italian restaurants had been given the Italian government’s stamp of approval for authenticity.

Apparently, the Ospitalità Italiana system has been extended beyond Italy’s borders and 34 Australian eateries were recognised. Perhaps, given Italy’s precarious financial position, there is an expectation that some of these restaurants will think they need to pay for the privilege?

In WA, those making the grade were: Shenton Park’s Galileo Buona Cucina; Gargano and Osteria dei Sapori in Nedlands; West Perth’s Julio’s, Pergino and Villa D’Este; as well as inner city eateries Maurizio Restaurant and Millioncino – locations that are, interestingly, hardly hotbeds of Italian culture.

We wonder if some restaurateurs in Freo might be slightly miffed?

The Note also pondered the possibility of such a regime for Aussie-themed outlets. Where would you start? Mandatory surf ‘n’ turf? BBQ ‘shrimp’? Exotic outback meats? Tip-free meals? Or just staff with no idea about customer service?

Blast it

Centamin Egypt is a company which rarely graces these pages since it delisted from the ASX, but The Note occasionally glances at its activities just to stay in touch with the Joseph El-Raghy-chaired gold miner.

In a recent company update we admired its composure in the face of the rapidly changing political environment in Egypt, which makes Australia’s sovereign risk issues look like a walk in the park.

Centamin seemed to downplay the disruptions to its Sukari operations well south of Cairo on the Red Sea, with casual dot-point references to ‘some employees refusing to work and supply lines affected’. The best was two separate incidents involving problems with the supply of a key mining input – explosives.

Perhaps not all that surprising with a revolution going on.