Didn’t get to summer in Venice? A delicious taste of Venice (via Melbourne) is coming to Sydney this summer, in the form of Venetian-style steak (and seafood) house Grill Americano. The opening date, Wednesday November 19, has just been announced.
The new restaurant will make its Sydney home in the heritage-listed Qantas House building, now known as No. 1 Chifley Square.
Grill Americano will be the second Sydney restaurant for award-winning Melbourne restaurant group Lucas Collective (formerly known as the Lucas Group), which is headed up by Chris Lucas. They are also responsible for Sydney and Melbourne’s popular Chin Chin restaurants, as well as Maison Bâtard, Kisumé, Society, Yakimono, Carlotta and much more in Melbourne.
It’s been confirmed that Executive Chef Vincenzo Ursini will take charge of the kitchen in the new Sydney location – he’s helmed the Melbourne Grill Americano kitchen since mid-2024 and brings a wealth of experience from his time in Michelin-starred restaurants (including Italy’s Ristorante Reale and Le Calandre, and Spain’s Mugaritz).
Ursini has worked closely with Lucas, as well as Lucas Collective's Head of Culinary Damian Snell, to craft a menu that brings the best of the Melbourne Grill Americano experience to Sydney (yes, 15 bistecca offerings, and cult-favourite tiramisù Americano served tableside, will be coming), while also debuting new offerings that lean into Sydney’s distinct culinary identity and produce. That means plenty of delicious seafood offerings, including a Sicilian-style seafood risotto spiked with saffron and chilli, as well as a dedicated raw seafood bar with a bountiful array of oysters, crudo and crustacea.
Chef Simone Giorgianni, who has led Grill Americano’s pasta program since the restaurant opened on Flinders Lane, will introduce Sydney to his talents, with signature pasta varieties made fresh onsite daily (including a lobster tortellini finished in “sauce Américaine”).
“We want to honour the signature offering that has resonated so beautifully with our guests in Melbourne, but also to plate up something that captures Sydney’s own energy and appetite for dining,” says Lucas, who is a long-time fan of Sydney and its dining scene.
Grill Americano Sydney will be led by Restaurant Manager Ruaridh Macdonald, with a wine program curated by Master Sommelier Paolo Saccone, and a classic-leaning cocktail selection that will include an homage to the famous Bellini of Harry’s Bar in Venice.
The Sydney restaurant will be bigger than its Melbourne original (there’s even room for a 30m-long marble bar), with interiors honouring the soaring ceilings and expansive windows of the heritage-listed building.
Bookings for Grill Americano Sydney will be available from mid-October over here – we’re hungry just thinking about it.
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