Porteno, the two-hatted Argentinian grill-house in Surry Hills that closed after a fire on January 9, is to remain shut for about eight weeks.

But empanada fans won't be without while the rebuilding takes place. Porteno co-owners Elvis Abrahanowicz and Ben Milgate are moving into the former Neild Avenue site at Rushcutters Bay.

"It's been pretty heartbreaking," Abrahanowicz says of the fire. "Especially seeing the water damage on the awards and a lot of the old posters and paintings."

The temporary space is called POPteno and will serve a different type of Argentinian food than Porteno senior.

"We don't have the same cooking equipment at Neild Avenue so we needed to do something different," Abrahanowicz says. "We're going to be doing Argentine immigrant food and showcase how the food evolved along with some regional classics and the bistro stuff."

POPteno will be open from January 28 for dinner Wednesday to Saturday, from 6pm. "We'll be there for good time, not a long time," Abrahanowicz says.

The most recent restaurant on the old Neild Avenue site, The Keystone Group-owned Rushcutters, closed just before Christmas.

POPteno, 10 Neild Avenue, Rushcutters Bay, 8399 1440.