Connie's Italian Diner & Pizza - CLOSED

Overview

After five years spent slinging New York-style pizza until the wee hours from its hole-in-the-wall kitchen within Heartbreaker, Connie's has expanded into the space upstairs, reimagined as Connie's Italian Diner & Pizza.

This new incarnation of the Made in the Shade Group (The Everleigh, Bar Margaux) favourite takes the form of a contemporary trattoria built on that classic Italian spirit of hospitality.

The 100-seater comes complete with tables draped in red-and-white checks, banquettes of red vinyl and walls adorned with vintage film posters. Like its predecessor, the venue takes its name and inspiration from owner Michael Madrusan's beloved Nonna Connie and nods to his memories of growing up in his family's own Italian eateries.

Helmed by Head Chef Matteo D'Elia (Michelin-starred London restaurants Galvin at Windows and Bibendum), the menu features classics like eggplant parmigiana ($24), vongole spaghettini ($28) and a range of Pugliese-style pizza, while framed pictures of pop culture icons gaze on from the walls. There's a family-style set menu that feeds four for $120, a nightly aperitivo hour (5–6pm) and a tiramisu reimagined in ice cream sundae form ($14).

Meanwhile, an adjoining leafy rooftop terrace boasts festoon lighting and city views, and the dance floor — complete with a disco ball — gets a solid workout on weekends.

In true Made in the Shade form, the drinks offering is a banger, with a range of top-notch classic sips and sparkling cocktails poured on tap and by the pre-batched bottle. A lineup of Italian vino comes courtesy of Bar Margaux sommelier Tom Smith.