Overview
The team behind bustling restaurant Rovollo has expanded its offering with a much-anticipated Italian wine bar: The Heritage Room. Now open in Sydney's CBD, the cosy venue specialises in Tuscan wines and charry dishes cooked over the Josper Grill.
The family-run Esper Group has expanded its CBD footprint, with The Heritage Room taking over a prime corner site at 25 Martin Place, adding another dimension to the precinct's already dynamic dining offering. The intimate 35-seater space takes its cues from the classic enotecas of 20th-century Italy. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a rosa marble bar, glossy finishes, French-wash walls and custom artwork give the space a feeling of grandeur and old-world elegance.
A carefully curated list of wines, spanning bold Barolos to refreshing Vernaccia di San Gimignanos (with the venue boasting its own working wine cellar with hundreds of bottles), is complemented by a rotating selection of Tuscan cheeses and meats, hand-picked by Esper Group executive chef Cami Feliciano. Handmade pastas and a signature ciabatta sandwich provide more fulsome menu options.
Head Sommelier Giulia Ceruzzi's wine program, at the core of the offering, highlights Tuscan varieties, including many options by the glass, and bottles that range from affordable to high-end vintages better saved for a special occasion. Other French, Italian and Australian drops round out Ceruzzi's list. Considering she was named one of the top 50 sommeliers in the country this year, it's no surprise The Heritage Room boasts an impressive collection.
"We want this list to take our guests somewhere else, whether that's to a long table under the Tuscan sun, a conversation that stretches longer than planned or simply the pleasure of sharing something good," says Ceruzzi.
While the wine is a focal point, food is not forgotten here, with Feliciano building a menu around the smoky flavours imparted by the Josper Grill. The Heritage Room's signature, 12-hour slow-roasted beef short rib schiacciata is served with a decadent Tuscan cheese fondue, and a deconstructed lasagna (which took experimenting with 20 different pastas to perfect) showcases wild boar ragu and kale pasta sheets.
"Whatever you select, there will be both reds and whites that complement it. We've also sourced as much produce as we can from Tuscany itself, from the prosciutto and cheeses to the olive oils," says Feliciano.
The Heritage Room also proudly offers private dining for up to 25 guests, in a space purpose-built for leisurely lunches, celebratory gatherings, and memorable dining experiences. There are four set menus to choose from, which feature showstopping meats such as a Tuscan bistecca, and the entire venue can be booked for larger events.
Images: Supplied.
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