Overview
The historic space at 10 Neild Avenue has left a bit of a black mark on the Sydney restaurant scene, with both celebrity chef Robert Marchetti's Neild Avenue and Keystone Group's Rushcutters closing after just brief stints in the location. The owners behind the CBD establishment Machiavelli Ristorante are hoping to change this losing streak with Bar Machiavelli, their new Italian bar and diner which opened in the Rushcutters Bay space last week.
The large cocktail bar and dining room will seat 160, with the menu featuring the Italian snacks, antipasti and homemade pastas that Machiavelli Ristorante is known for. Expect the rotating selection of antipasti to include dishes like tomato and mozzarella caprese and a fig, prosciutto and fresh mozzarella entree. The pastas will be made not only in-house, but more specifically inside a pasta viewing room. That's right, pasta mamas (and possibly papas) will make your linguine right in front of your eyes, so it's sure to be fresh, just like Nonna makes it.
Apart from Machiavelli owner Paola Toppi, the management team will include Tatiana Simplicio (ex-Fei Jai) and Matteo Belkeziz (ex-The Barber Shop, Rockpool Bar & Grill and Palmer & Co). Belkeziz's cocktail list is inspired by Italian classics and uses seasonal, Mediterranean ingredients – think signature drinks like a barrel-aged Negroni with grappa (Italian grape brandy) and 'La Dolce Vita', a concoction of prosecco and a trio of strawberry, orange and lychee. A monthly Bellini special and dessert cocktails are also on the menu, starting with the Tiramisu Martini.
They've even got Australian designer Jason Mowen on board for his his first commercial project in Australia. He's got 14 years' experience in London and Madrid and has clearly brought his European-influenced stylings to the space. Working with the building's industrial history as a tyre factory, Mowen accentuated the high ceilings and maintained the exposed beams and brick walls. Yet, with its deep colours and metallic, gold-clad bar, the interior is more reminiscent of a grand banquette hall than a warehouse.
While the rotating projections of classic Italian imagery against the exposed brick walls sounds gimmicky, this place otherwise has all of the ingredients for one classy evening out.
Bar Machiavelli is located at 10 Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay and opens Monday to Friday from 6pm to midght and Saturday from 4pm to midnight.
Images: Nikki To.