Bar Carolina is set to open in October, offering South Yarra locals a contemporary bar and restaurant. The new venue is the latest from Joe Mammone, co-owner of Melbourne CBD venues, Il Bacaro and Sarti, and is the restaurateur’s first venture outside of the city.
Bar Carolina will revive Italian bistro-style dining in the suburb, with Paolo Masciopinto, head chef at Sarti, (ex-Grossi Florentino) serving fish and meat dishes from the Josper charcoal oven.
The menu features traditional Italian dishes with a modern twist; fresh pastas, fresh produce and a contemporary approach will define the menu.
A number of vegetarian options are also on the cards, such as a beetroot-filled ravioli with goats cheese and poppy seeds and an entrée of maple roasted carrots, cashews, pine nuts and fresh cheese.
For seafood and meat-lovers there’ll be dishes like tagliolini with Morton bay bugs, porcini and dried chili and braised baby goat with broad beans and shaved salted ricotta, as well as steaks of varying sizes.
The classic tiramisu will be giving a spin, with diners smashing a sphere of white chocolate to reveal coffee, savoiardi and marscapone.
More than 100 wines consisting of all Italian grape varietals, grown in both Italy and Australia, will feature on the drinks list, as well a number of heavy bodied Australian reds including ten of the country’s best.
Spirits rarely seen in Australian restaurants, including Meletti (think Montenegro but smoother) and Capo Capo will also be on offer.
“You can expect much more to come out of the top end of Toorak Road in the very near future, and I’m thrilled that Bar Carolina will be a key part of it,” says Mammone.
Bar Carolina’s fit-out has been crafted by hospitality designer, Chris Connell. The interiors are a mix of neo-classic and contemporary, with a small courtyard at the rear for alfresco dining.