From a cozy Italian to two steak frites restaurants in a week: A host of big name Sydney hospo groups open new venues

Winter. Rising cost of rent and electricity. The constant stream of established restaurants announcing their closures. Who would want to open a restaurant now? Turns out, quite a lot of people actually!

Winter. Rising cost of rent and electricity. The constant stream of established restaurants announcing their closures.

Who would want to open a restaurant now? Turns out, quite a lot of people actually!

In the past week alone, Sydney’s hospitality scene has been buoyed up by a host of operators opening up new venues.

When it comes to quality, husband and wife team Alessandro and Anna Pavoni know what they are doing. The two, and their Maestro Hospitality, are already responsible for famous Sydney restaurants like a’Mare and Ormeggio at The Spit. In December last year they opened Cibaria in Manly and not ones to sit still, last week opened the delightfully cozy Vineria Luisa at the former site of beloved Spanish restaurant Bar Louise on Enmore Road, Newtown.

Alessandro Pavoni out the front of his Vineria Luisa on Enmore Rd.

The wine bar and restaurant, which the couple have modelled off the local neighbourhood wine bars in Italy, has an impressive gin collection (which they serve in goblets) and opens up new bottles of Euro-centric wine each week to offer up by the glass.

The menu includes naples specialty spaghetti alla nerano which is turned into a frittata and what’s been dubbed the “Best Ever” Lasanga, which we can confirm, is pretty darn good.

And despite only opening on the Thursday night, by Friday night was completely booked.

While in the CBD, what’s with all the steak restaurants? Two venues opened up this week, both championing their steak frites. In fact for 24 York, the new restaurant from Hunter Street Hospitality on the former Bavarian site on York St, steak is the only thing they do. Inspired by Paris institution Le Ralais de l’Entrecotre, they are boldly serving up just a 220g MB2+ scotch fillet (the same cut served at Rockpool Melbourne) with fries and your choice of sauce for $48.

The steak from 24 York. Picture: Supplied

While Milson’s Points French Bistro Loulou opened up their two-storey Martin Place location this week. Among the highlights on their menu is include steak frites - including the steak frites baguette. But since they are open from breakfast till dinner they also have everything from croissants and oysters and escargot on the menu.

Lou Lou's restaurant in Martin Place, Sydney. The beloved neighbourhood bistro brings Parisian flair to the heart of the city, complete with $2 escargot happy hour, a wagyu beef frites baguette, a vibrant oyster bar and French classics reimagined for the CBD crowd. Picture: Supplied

The steak frites baguette at Loulou. Picture: Supplied

The team behind Izgara and Malika Bakehouse hope to bring a slice of the Italy to Barangaroo, opening up Gina on Monday 21st July.

While, speaking of Italy, veteran chef Neil Perry is hard at work transforming his Double Bay Cantonese restaurant Song Bird into the Italian restaurant Gran Torino. While Song Bird doesn’t hold it’s last service till next weekend, Perry has been keeping his social media followers up to date with the menu for Gran Torino.