With the pre-Christmas opening stampede on in earnest, here's a good one for readers in the Hills District.

Joe Cavallo, the right-hand man of the late Darren Simpson, has kitted up and is behind the burners at new arrival Sarino's at Mullane's Hotel in Baulkham Hills.

The venue, which has its own craft distillery, is knocking out Italian classics along with snapper fillet, paperbark marjoram pangrattato and John Dory fillet with chestnut mushroom, macadamia and burnt butter.

Restaurant manager Amanda McDivitt is a familiar face for Sydney diners, having worked at Hotel Centennial, Kittyhawk and Banskii Vermouth Bar & Bistro.