Exclusive sneak peek: Inside Toppi’s Martin Place, the new CBD restaurant by Bar M’s Paola Toppi
Celebrating 31 years in Sydney hospitality, Paola Toppi said she would never open a restaurant in the city again. But when this spot came along she couldn’t say no. SEE THE EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK.
Confidential
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Sydney hospitality stalwart Paola Toppi has revealed the first exclusive look into her new venture, Toppi Martin Place, her first city venue in 17 years.
Celebrating 31 years in the Sydney hospo scene this year, the Bar M owner admitted she never wanted to own a restaurant in the city again, but her spot at the base of the buzzing 60 Martin Place corporate centre — winner of the most expensive rent in Sydney — was too good to pass up.
“I didn’t want to come back to the city,” she told delicious. Sydney.
“I had The Republic in 2002 but I sold that on and somebody sold it to someone else.
“Rents were extraordinarily high post the Olympics — probably the same price they are now and that pushed a lot of people out of the city.
“You would never get a position like this.”
When complete, the 350 sqm, 250 pax restaurant won’t be out of place in a bustling New York City corporate precinct.
Dark wood and marble finished with brass touches extend throughout the moody private dining room, general dining area, bar seating and lounges where, no doubt, big deals will be brokered come October.
The food, of course, will be Italian but with a Japanese twist — the food service area is completely open, resembling more of a teppanyaki bar than an Italian kitchen, with pasta made in front of your eyes.
And every long lunch needs top shelf tipples — business buffs yearning for a quality 25 year old scotch or Cognac — as one does — will be catered to.
While Toppi’s is an important step for its namesake, it’s just as important for Sydney.
The revitalisation of the city centre has been a hot topic for years, set back by sky high rents and the construction of the tram, she hoped her venue would attract not just the corporate crowd, but the leisure crowd too.
“There are more and more people opening in the city for that reason and eventually it will invigorate the whole city,” she said.
“Merivale started it, and they’ve done a very good job, and now you see really good restaurants dotted all over the place.
“I hope Toppi’s will add to that, and people will not just stay after they finish work but come in their spare time too.”
Tipped to open mid-October, Toppi Martin Place will open Monday to Friday, but opening on weekends is not off the table.