• Wave of new Italian restaurants hits Sydney
• Top Sydney pizzaiolo opens The Amalfi Way at Woolloomooloo

With the Italian flag being hoisted beyond the Sydney CBD at the newly opened Bastardo in Surry Hills, the relocated Il Baretto in Paddington, and soon-to-open Sella Vinoteca in Randwick, well might you ask why Pyrmont's The Star has been without an Italian eatery since the exit of chef Stefano Manfredi and his upmarket restaurant and pizzeria spin-off in 2018?

It turns out the casino has been asking itself the same question, and will open an Italian restaurant, Cucina Porto, in late November. Puglia-raised chef Martino Pulito will captain the kitchen at the restaurant, which is opening opposite The Lyric Theatre.

"It was always our intention to open another Italian restaurant," says Michael Hodgson, Star's general manager of hospitality and entertainment strategy. "Last time I checked Italian is the top restaurant choice in Australia for a defined cuisine."

Hodgson confirmed there are other new restaurants on the way at the casino complex. And in good news for The Star, Hodgson confirmed Momofuku Seiobo recently extended its contract.