By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
If spritzes in suits alongside spaghetti-making sessions inspired by the Southern villages of Italy sound like your idea of a perfect day, then say ciao bella to Sydney’s newest dining destination - Cecilia - a freshly minted Italian restaurant bringing a taste of the old country to the North Side of the Harbour City.
At the helm is Chef Andrea Pironti, a proud son of Cilento in Salerno, who’s pouring his heart - and heritage - into the menu to deliver a delicious homage to his Italian roots.
At Cecilia, every strand of tagliatelle and pillowy bite of gnocchi is made in-house each day, using time-honoured techniques and the kind of seasonal produce that makes you believe in magic (or, at least in the kind of farmers’ markets frequented by charming little Nonnas).
The result is a lineup where the carbs are created to showcase both comfort and class in equal - and very generous - measures. You’ll find dishes like piping hot bowls of slow-cooked lamb ragu with pappardelle; a spicy spaghetti marinara made with prawn, calamari, white fish; and classic lasagne made with layers of pork and beef Bolognese and bechamel.
However, equally excellent are the vegetarian options, where dishes such as pasta alla vodka as well as porcini risotto packed with Swiss brown and porcini mushrooms and Parmesan, project main character energy.
The selection of sides is small but mighty and includes mushroom arancini served on a bed of truffle sauce; tuna tartare with stracciatella cheese and soy sesame dressing; and burrata Caprese starring nectarine, heirloom tomato and pine nuts.
Cecilia isn’t just about what’s on your plate. In true Italian style, the staff want to feed your spirit as much as your stomach. Soon, they’ll be rolling out pasta-making workshops where you can knead, roll and cut your own doughy masterpieces under Chef Andrea’s expert (and charming) instruction.
Post-pasta, you’ll be treated to a Chef-prepared meal, complete with paired wines from Cecilia’s beautifully curated wine list, which reads like a love story to Italy’s vineyards - from bold Chiantis to crisp Vermentinos.
Despite its high-end architectural decor (the space was designed by Venesa Buljubasic of Anouk & Co), Cecilia is all warm, earthy tones, sleek marble touches, soft fluted glass and glowing brass fixtures.
With 60 seats and a private dining room that fits 14, it’s the kind of place that effortlessly swings between power lunch and date night.
Conveniently tucked just three minutes from Martin Place, right by the Victoria Cross metro, it’s a dream for city workers and locals alike, the restaurant currently operates from 7 am to 3 pm for breakfast and lunch, so you can channel your Inner Italian and get a decent espresso and eggs, and a perfect bowl of pasta in one hit.
If you like your evenings as Italian as your afternoons, keep an eye out: Cecilia will soon be launching its dinner session and much-anticipated aperitivo hour, serving sunset spritzes and a little slice of Salerno with a little Sydney soul.
