Celebrated hospitality couple Kerrie and Con Dedes (Dedes Waterfront Group), and executive chef Danny Russo (The Russolini Group) have teamed up to open modern Italian restaurant, Sala. Located in the historic Flying Fish site at the end of Jones Bay Wharf, Sala will open on November 25 and offer the best of Australian seafood in unique Italian dishes.
The 160 seat venue holds two bespoke private dining rooms, including one with direct waterfront access and a terrace. Sala’s food offering will extend past the venue, as the kitchen will cater for boat hospitality on Sydney harbour.
Head chef Michael Lewis has curated a seafood focused menu to match the coastal style of the venue; embracing authentic Italian cuisine and techniques while utilising an expanded pantry to add interest to the dishes. Highlight dishes include: Russo’s signature squid ink tortellini with crab meat, roast tomato, and lemon and caper sauce; crispy risoni fingers with caviar and parmesan; and Sala’s Piemontese hazelnut, with the chocolate used in their desserts locally sourced from Jessica Pedemont’s Chocolate Artisan in Haberfield.
The drinks offering has been curated by head sommelier Rocco Pezzullo to pair easily with the cuisine, as the wine list is predominantly Italian varietals sourced not only from overseas, but from local producers as well. Bar manager Behzad Vaziri has created a cocktail list that sees a full Negroni collection and Italian classics like an Amari Sour section which gives guests the option of choosing their favourite sour. Sala’s signature collection of cocktails is inspired by the sea, inclusive of the Australian coast and the Mediterranean, such as the Oyster Shell Martini with Never Never Oyster Shell gin and three oils (pine nut, basil, olive), and the Mediterranean Slide with Mastica, limoncello, egg white, basil.
Sala’s design direction, executed by The General Store, takes inspiration from its harbourfront location, with interiors guided by Mediterranean cues, employing neutral tones, curved edges, fluid forms and lots of different textures. The building’s 100-year old heritage architecture also offers the opportunity to juxtapose the dark timber structures with light and bright materials such as white clay, stone, marble and lighting installations which reflect the sunlight.
Divided into several rooms, the design of the building lends itself to unique experiences for different occasions; there’s the terrace for a casual drink, the main dining room for formal affairs, and a crudo bar overlooking an open kitchen for an immersive and theatrical experience.
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