Overview
Weren't lucky enough to wrangle an overseas summer holiday this year? Never mind – South Yarra is set to score its own sky-high paradise replete with European vibes, when the hotly anticipated Tetto di Carolina opens its doors this month. The luxe rooftop cocktail bar will be the newest addition to Joe Mammone's celebrated stable (Bar Carolina, Il Bacaro, Sarti), as the restaurateur joins forces with Joey Dee and James Sutherland.
In the same vein as its siblings, Tetto is a study in sophistication, the intimate Chris Connell-designed space decked out with terrazzo tiling, warm polished timber and an impressive, six-metre-long walnut bar. Deep leather banquettes are nestled throughout, while an openair terrace overlooks the South Yarra rooftops.
There's an Italian lean to the food and drinks, the booze selected by award-winning cocktail bartender, Alex Dyzart of London's Bar Three. You'll spy a stack of champagne and sparkling iterations, a tight range of wines from across Australia and Europe, and plenty of crafty signature cocktails like the Copacabana Fizz — starring aged rum, fig leaf and clarified almond — and the gin and and fennel flower Florence Revival.
Kristoffer Paulsen
From the kitchen comes a smart lineup of plates designed to be enjoyed beside a drink. Think Italian-style fried chicken with fennel slaw on brioche, pine-smoked mussels in a sweet vermouth and butterbean sauce, savoury cannoli filled with duck liver parfait and Sicilian doughnuts crafted with chestnut flour and roasted hazelnuts.
To round out your European adventure, there'll even be a program of live performances, headlined by some of Melbourne's most respected jazz musicians.
Find Tetto di Carolina at Level 1/48 Toorak Road, South Yarra, from Wednesday, July 31.
Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
UPDATE: July 22, 2019 — The opening of Tetto di Carolina has been delayed by one week until Wednesday, July 31. The above article has been updated to reflect this.