To launch Sydney’s new Sicilian restaurant and bar, award-winning international chef Lino Sauro hosted an intimate Sicilian feast for VIPs at Olio Kensington Street, located in the beautifully restored The Old Rum Store.
As the torrential rain cleared and the sun came out guests enjoyed aperitifs on the restaurant’s rooftop terrazzo to the acoustic tunes of Majazzter who performed Italian classics throughout the evening.
Sauro served a selection of Sicilian favourites such as house-baked focaccia with his family’s own olive oil direct from Sicily; caponata with buffalo ricotta cheese; and king prawn ravioli with black truffle and burrata sauce. The star of the menu though was the salt-baked snapper cooked in 5kg of imported Sicilian salt and delicately deconstructed at the table in front of guests. Just like the Italians do, wine was flowing and were all from Sicily.
Guests included Broadsheet, Concrete Playground, Business Insider, Daily Telegraph, Central Magazine and Sydney Morning Herald.
Former Masterchef contestants Hayden Quinn and Justine Schofield also attended. All eyes were on Hayden and his girlfriend of a year, stunning US model Jax Raynor, who are one of the most genetically blessed pairs in Sydney.
This is what guests feasted on during the night…
Ostrica
Fresh seasonal oyster, orange and balsamic vinaigrette, cucumber gel
Caponata tiepida con ricotta fresca
Warm Sicilian caponata with fresh buffalo ricotta
Ravioli
Homemade ravioli with King prawns, black truffle and burrata sauce
Risone
‘Risone’ pasta with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow
Dentice
Signature salt-baked wild snapper with salmoriglio and EVOO mayo
Agnello
Dry-aged saltbush lamb loin with blueberries, anchovy and smoked tea
Dolci
La Cassata
Not the traditional Sicilian ricotta cheesecake
Sicilian petit four
Watermelon gelo and pistachios
Birra Menabrea – Piedmonte
Nino Franco Superiore Brut Prosecco DOCG – Valdobbiadene
2015 Graci – Etna Bianco – Carricante and Catarratto – Sicilia
2015 Graci – Etna Rosato – Nerello Mascalese – Sicilia
2013 Zisola Rosso – Nero d’Avola – Sicilia
The floral arrangements on the tables were by Garlands Florists. Guests were treated to a bottle of Lino’s extra virgin olive oil and olive oil baked cookies to take home with them.
