Overview
News of a shake-up among a few well-loved venues has just come to light as two of Sydney's most visible hospitality groups — The Love Tilly Group (Love, Tilly Devine, Ragazzi, Dear Sainte Eloise) and PUBLIC Hospitality (The Stand Hotel, Maybe Sammy, Oxford House) — have ended their partnership, resulting in changes to three Sydney venues.
The biggest change to Sydney's dining landscape sees Balmain's immensely popular Fabbrica Pasta Bar close its doors, effective immediately. Located inside The Exchange Hotel (owned by PUBLIC), the Inner West restaurant and wine bar opened in April this year and had already built cult status as a favourite dining destination for Balmain and Rozelle locals.
Alongside the closing of Fabbrica Balmain, Catalan-inspired Redfern eatery and wine bar La Salut will now no longer be run under the reins of the Love Tilly Group and will now be operated by PUBLIC (the venue is located inside the hospitality group's Norfolk Hotel alongside Ricos Tacos).
La Salut, Nikki To
In addition to those bombshells, the in-the-works second iteration of Fabbrica Pasta Bar bound for Annadale's The Empire Hotel will no longer be happening. The pub's revamp as The Federal will still boast boutique accommodation and a new Maybe Frank outpost but will no longer offer The Love Tilly Group's signature mix of boundary-pushing carbs and minimal-intervention wines.
The Love Tilly Group has confirmed that more Fabbrica Pasta Bars are on the way, and you can still get your dose of Love Tilly pasta and vino at their other independent Sydney venues, including their Darlinghurst namesake which recently underwent a mini revamp and the expansive new Palazzo Salato.
"It's a devastatingly difficult decision for us to make," says Love Tilly Group Managing Director Matthew Swieboda. "But for the benefit of the staff and the suppliers, we can no longer, in good faith, continue to run our venues together with Public Hospitality. We're excited to focus our attention on the new Fabbrica Pasta Bar sites we've been working on — some of which we'll be ready to announce in the coming weeks."
The Empire Hotel
As for PUBLIC, the crew just opened an exciting new wine and record bar with help from P&V's Mike Benie inside its luxe Oxford Street hotel Oxford House.
A statement from PUBLIC reads: "PUBLIC is disappointed to have been informed today that Love Tilly Group has decided to end the commercial relationship. While there have been disputed commercial matters, PUBLIC understood these to be progressing."
"PUBLIC thank Love Tilly Group for their contribution and wish them well in future endeavours. Consistent with PUBLIC's strategy of owning and operating strong hospitality brands, PUBLIC purchased the La Salut brand in 2022 and will continue to operate at The Norfolk in Redfern, including offering employment for existing staff."
Fabbrica pasta, Nikki To
Fabbrica Pasta Bar Balmain has officially shut its doors. Keep an eye on the Fabbrica Instagram page for announcements of new pasta bars. La Salut will continue to operate at 305 Cleveland Street, Redfern.
Top image: Fabbrica Pasta Bar Balmain, Dexter Kim