Esper Group has taken over the former L’uva Pasta Wine Bar space in Martin Place.
The family-owned group behind Surry Hills wine bar Mille Vini is now launching “360-degree dining experience” Rovollo, in the space.
The Italian restaurant will centre a grand open kitchen and roving service carts to facilitate experiential dining.
“Going out for lunch or dinner shouldn’t be transactional; it should be immersive”, says Esper Group director Andrew Wallace. “We want to give back to Sydney diners, by creating an atmosphere where people feel known, receive more than they expected and with memories that last well after they’ve walked out the door.”
Dining during a recent trip to Italy’s Amalfi Coast inspired the style of hospitality Wallace hopes to instil in Rovollo.
“We weren’t just there for an allocated time slot. There was genuine theatre, personal touches and we left feeling like we were part of something bigger than ourselves,” he says. “That’s what we’re looking to create here.”
Executive Chef Cami Feliciano (ex-Seta, Woodcut and Matteo Downtown) and recently appointed Head Chef Zane Buchanan (ex-Clam Bar) developed the menu. A rotating selection of pastas will feature (including the signature pasta served from a giant, $2000 Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel imported from Italy atop a roving cart), alongside large-format proteins.
The wine list is 250 bottles strong, including 25 by the glass options.
Rovollo will be open for lunch and dinner six days a week.
Photography by Christian Michael.
