Steve Musico opens River View Rooftop restaurant in Bli Bli

A Sunshine Coast chef’s Italian heritage and grandmother’s cooking has played a huge role in his new restaurant, where he promises diners won’t leave hungry.

A Sunshine Coast chef’s Italian heritage has inspired his latest culinary venture overlooking the Maroochy River.

Steve Musico opened River View Rooftop restaurant and bar about two months ago at Bli Bli, above Bli Bli Car Wash and Dog Wash.

Mr Musico’s menu offers modern Australian-style dishes with an “Italian twist”, many of which were inspired by his grandmother’s recipes.

What will first greet you by the door is an inviting, mouth-watering aroma from the open kitchen, before you can take in the sight of the Maroochy River when stepping inside.

The restaurant seating area can also be used as a function room. Picture: contributed

River View Rooftop is open for breakfast between Thursday and Sunday. Picture: contributed

Cocktails and beers are available at the bar, as well as coffee on days where the restaurant is open for breakfast.

Fish and pasta dishes have proved to be the most popular, as well as share-plates of arancini, meatballs and pork belly bites.

“I want them to have an experience they haven’t had before in regards to our customer service,” Mr Musico said.

“The atmosphere is one, being where they are, and two; I want them to walk out full.

“Being an Italian family, you never ever leave hungry.”

Alongside alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the bar also serves coffee, milkshakes and more.

The venue offers indoor dining as well as seating on an outdoor terrace overlooking the Maroochy River.

A pastry chef by trade, Mr Musico also owns Confessions Bar and Eatery in Mooloolaba and formerly owned One Up Bar and Bistro.

When the space in Bli Bli became available, Mr Musico said it was an opportunity he could not pass up, with its central location and recent growth at Parklakes.

River View Rooftop chef and owner Steve Musico.

River View Rooftop offers a range of cocktails as well as tap beer and a wine list. Picture: contributed

Upon receiving the keys in early July, Mr Musico spent most of his time working on the interior, and now manages and often cooks in the venue.

“As this place started to take shape, what I was envisioning was people sitting down and eating my home-cooked food that I grew up with,” he said.

His cooking skills derive from his time spent learning tricks from his grandparents who each had their own farms and incorporated fresh produce into their cooking.

Mr Musico said he used to run Italian family restaurants and then had a corporate career in Melbourne before moving to the Sunshine Coast, where he has spent about seven years in the dining scene.