Bianchetto Bar

THE VERDICT

The restaurant and sibling bar duo isn’t a new concept by any means, but it is one we’ve loved since day one. Apollo Inn and Gimlet, March and IDES, Rocket Society and Rumi—the pairings are designed to extend the dining experience late into the night, and for some of Melbourne’s best restaurants, why wouldn’t you want to? And with that, we welcome Bianchetto, the booze-forward sibling to Mister Bianco in Kew.

As a cocktail bar, drinks are the star of the show. Headed up by the masterful Orlando Marzo (Drinks By Loro founder, Bar Jayda mixologist, 2018’s crowning World’s Best Bartender), the cocktail list leans into his Italian roots. Go for the theatrical experience with the SUD Americano served tableside—a delightful concoction of averna, contratto vermouth, bitters and soda.

The menu is sweetly short, featuring a line-up of Sicilian snacks to curb peckish appetites. There are zucchini flowers served with black truffle honey, a fluffy focaccia with beetroot romesco and parmesan-infused olive oil and a bite-sized potato rosti topped with smoked squacquerone and a dollop of caviar.

Bianchetto is stepping up the Kew nightlife, something that’s relatively untapped with neighbours extending to only Cru Wine Bar and Bar Alba. It’s going for a sultry atmosphere. Step through the golden curtains into a dimly-lit intimate space. On one wall, you’ll find projections of old classic Italian films to fill the white noise, and on the other, draping ceiling-to-floor velvet curtains.

Heads up, they don’t take bookings. Open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 6pm.

Image credit: Bianchetto | Arianna Leggiero