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The FUNKA Group welcomes Fabio Camilloni as the new chef consultant at Italo Trattoria. He’s bringing back rustic Italian classics, adding salt-crusted whole sea bass, confit duck with merlot sauce, and pizzas to the menu.

Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Italo Trattoria

Chef Fabio Camilloni hails from Fano, a charming town facing the Adriatic Sea in central Italy. He’s spent the last 21 years in China, working at some really iconic venues back in the city’s heyday, including Casanova and Velvet Lounge. Fabio is also a part of the Slow Food International Organization and Slow Food Greater China as an instructor and expert. 

Chef Fabio Camilloni in Shanghai
Fabio Camilloni

His style of cooking is homey, rustic, and traditional, but with a modern twist. His ethos is to not overcrowd the plate, and to use a few high quality ingredients to create maximum flavor.

On The Menu

The food at Italo is simple and good—a compact menu of Italian favorites featuring antipasti, pastas, pizzas, and heavy hitting mains, including a rarely seen whole salt-crusted sea bass.

Here’s what to order:

Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Parmigiana Estiva (¥118/four) – Instead of the hefty baked casserole, eggplants and lightly coated in breadcrumbs and fried, then topped with freshly diced tomatoes, olive oil, basil, slice of buffalo mozzarella, and parma ham. Crispy breading, cool and juicy tomatoes with creamy with cheese. A traditional Italian dish made elegant.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Carpaccio di Gamberi Caviale (¥138) – King prawn carpaccio with caviar, capers, basil oil, and lemon oil. Fresh, crunchy and velvety prawn carpaccio with sparkles of acidity and brininess from the capers and caviar. A classy carpaccio from the previous menu.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Tartufo e Burrata (¥118) – Pizza time! Italo has five 9’’ personal pan sized pizzas on the menu. This is the most popular by far. Burrata, mozzarella, black truffle paté, and tomato sauce on an excellent dough that has a chewy base and a crispy crust.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Cappellacci (¥128) – Large globes of house made dumplings stuffed with braised veal, served with parmigiano cream. A comforting dish of substantial portion.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Chitarra e Scampi (¥158) – Handmade green spaghetti “alla chitarra” with seared scampi and shrimps with garlic and chili sauce.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Polpo ai Ferri (¥148) – A whole salt and pepper crusted octopus leg cooked directly on the grill with a bit of char, served with potato cream, red onions, balsamic vinegar sauce, and herb oil. The octopus has a bit of a bite, which I like—not too fluffy and not too chewy.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Anatra al Merlot (¥138) – Confit duck leg served with a merlot and blueberry sauce with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables. Crispy skin and tender meat and a well balanced sauce. An excellent winter dish.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Brazino al Sale (¥488) – The pièce de résistance. A whole sea bass crusted in sea salt baked in the oven, served with roasted vegetables and potatoes. This is a typical Italian dish, one that’s usually reserved for family-style meals and celebrations.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Chef Fabio serving tableside.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Italo received fresh-never-frozen whole sea bass daily sent in from Zhuhai. The 1.4kg fish is cleaned then crusted in salt and baked with nothing except for a wedge of lemon and a sprig of thyme. The result is a juicy fish that’s been cooked in its own essence.
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
It’s served tableside, filleted and presented atop a bed of argula with a healthy glug of olive oil. A delicious showpiece and great for sharing. 
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
The sea bass also comes with a side of roasted vegetables and potatoes. 
Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Tartufo Limoncello (¥58) – I’m a sucker for lemon desserts, and this ranks high on my list. It’s a lemon semifreddo ice cream with a limoncello center and crusted meringue. Refreshing and bright.

Christmas at Italo

Looking to celebrate Christmas? Italo has you covered with dinners and brunches! On December 24, Italo will be serving a six-course dinner for ¥688 per person, including one glass of prosecco.

On Christmas Day, it’s a brunch buffet for ¥288 per person, ¥128 for kids. Brunch includes a buffet spread of antipasti plus one main and one dessert. Details in the posters below, scan to book!

Brunch at Italo

Italo Trattoria, an Italian restaurant in Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

Italo also has their regular semi-buffet brunch available every weekend, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30am to 3pm. It’s ¥198 for the antipasti buffet plus one main and one dessert. Add two hours of free-flow for ¥168.

Nomfluence Readers Deals

The deal below is valid from now until January 15, 2023 for Nomfluence Readers when you book via the QR Code below!

  • Complimentary selected drink. Limited to one per person with dinner.

*Drinks include Spritz, Negroni, house wine, mulled wine, beer, and soft drinks. Deal is not applicable on December 24, 25, and 31.

Click here to book your table!


Italo Trattoria
Address: 2/F, A Mansion, 291 Fumin Lu, near Changle Lu 富民路291号2楼, 近长乐路
Tel: 60279127, 15300890162
Hours: Mon-Fri, 5:30pm-10pm; Sat-Sun, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm